Days of Caring at Nueva Luz

The Sherwin-Williams Company, Eaton Corporation and Hyatt Legal Plans volunteers transform Nueva Luz’s atrium to useable space

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In just one week’s time Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center, a United Way of Greater Cleveland funded agency, got a much-needed boost from United Way’s Days of Caring program. During the week of August 23, three volunteer groups worked to completely refurbish the atrium of the agency’s 100-year-old church. The atrium was previously a large open space primarily used for storage. The agency sought to revitalize the space to save more clients.

Nueva Luz is a faith-based organization that challenges the root causes of systemic poverty among Latino and other underserved individuals by providing culturally competent service and community building. United Way provides funding to Nueva Luz’s “R-Life Youth Program” that develops leadership skills among youth participants in the neighborhood that surrounds the agency. 

The work week began with a motivated prep team of volunteers from Hyatt Legal Plans. They spent the day priming the atrium area’s walls and wood molding, as well as the downstairs entrance to the church. Two days later a group of high-powered Sherwin-Williams volunteers arrived and painted the walls a neutral beige color. They also painted the downstairs entrance to the church to make it more welcoming for clients and landscaped the agency’s grounds. Finally a skilled crew of Eaton Corporation volunteers wrapped up the final phase of the project by installing new carpeting in the newly-painted area.

In addition to the assistance from the volunteer groups, Nueva Luz also received a donation of office furniture from an anonymous donor. The furniture allowed them to convert some of the space into offices for their staff.

Max Rodas, executive director of Nueva Luz commented, “We are extremely grateful to all of the organizations that came out and helped us transform this space and to make it functional for our clients and our employees. The companies not only donated their time but also some of the supplies to make this project possible. This is a wonderful example of the power of volunteerism and the good that it can do for our community.”

The Sherwin-Williams Company, Eaton Corporation and Hyatt Legal Plans volunteer groups exemplify the work that is possible when companies participate in United Way of Greater Cleveland’s Days of Caring program. These days make it possible for United Way to show volunteers just how much a day of work can benefit an agency that needs assistance.

Volunteer opportunities are still available for the 2010 Days of Caring season. Click HERE for more information on Days of Caring, or get your group involved by submitting a volunteer project request.

For more information about United Way’s Days of Caring, or to get your group involved, please contact Mary Kate Tarr at mtarr@unitedwaycleveland.org or 216-436-2123.