Alcoa Named Citizenship Award Honoree for Jamalco's Mocho Greenhouse Farmer Training Program
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NEW YORK--November 22, 2011: Alcoa was named a 2011 honoree for the Citizenship Award, presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) in the "Best International Ambassador" category. Honorees were recognized during the Center's 12th Annual Corporate Citizenship Awards Gala held on November 17.
“Jamalco is focused on creating positive footprints and changing the face of the communities in which it operates”
Jamalco, Alcoa's operations in Jamaica, was recognized for its Mocho Greenhouse Training Program sponsored by Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation. The program educates farmers in greenhouse technology and helps them develop greenhouses as a business incubator for alternative and lasting income.
"Alcoa Foundation focuses on strengthening our communities by partnering with nonprofits, civic organizations, the public sector and other businesses to meet local needs," said Paula Davis, President, Alcoa Foundation. "Jamalco's Greenhouse Training Program is an innovative collaboration that puts mined land back to productive use, stimulates new jobs for residents and helps build the local economy. It's the very definition of shared value creation."
Jamalco donated 28 acres of land formerly used for bauxite mining to build the Mocho Greenhouse Training Center. The company also provided expertise in project management, engineering and construction to ensure that the facility met and exceeded required standards. The training facility consists of training rooms and administrative offices, constructed by Food for the Poor, and six tunnel greenhouses, a water catchment pond and solar pump.
The program has provided local farmers with skills around greenhouse technology. The farmers graduate with Level 2 certificates in Greenhouse Technology and have the option of accessing further training from HEART Trust, an agency of the Jamaica Ministry of Education, to take them to Levels 3 and 4. The long-term plans for the facility are to operate 40 greenhouse units, a pig farm and a storage and distribution facility. At least 200 residents will be able to earn a livable wage through the program.
"Jamalco is focused on creating positive footprints and changing the face of the communities in which it operates," said Leo Lambert, Jamalco's Corporate Services Manager. "Through the greenhouse project, we are engineering a strategic shift to the economic balance in rural communities and opening new pathways for social development. We are passionate about this program because it exemplifies Alcoa's leadership in helping to shape tomorrow. "
The Greenhouse Training Program is a part of the Jamalco Entrepreneurship Develop Program (JEDP). JEDP was created in October 2010 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the then Clarendon Cooperative Credit Union (now C&WJ Credit Union) and the United Way of Jamaica.
The MOU established a revolving fund of US$232,000 which includes contributions from Jamalco and grants from Alcoa Foundation. The funds are distributed through the United Way of Jamaica to residents living in Jamalco's host communities who use the money to establish small entrepreneurial enterprises.
Since 2000, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center has produced the Corporate Citizenship Awards to honor businesses that make a significant, positive impact in society..The Corporate Citizenship Awards, or the "Citizens," were founded in 2000 and are still managed by the Chamber's Business Civic Leadership Center
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world's largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa's operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 10 consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31 countries across the world.
About Alcoa Foundation
Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately US$436 million. Founded more than 50 years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than US$530 million since 1952. In 2010, Alcoa Foundation contributed nearly US$20 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the world, focusing on promoting environmental stewardship, enabling economic and social sustainability, and preparing tomorrow's leaders through education and learning. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further enhanced by Alcoa's thousands of employee volunteers, who in 2010 gave more than 720,000 service hours. Through the company's signature Month of Service (October) program, Alcoa employees share their energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in our communities. In 2010, a record 49 percent of Alcoans took part in nearly 1,000 Month of Service events across 24 countries, reaching 59,000 children, serving 17,000 meals, planting 16,000 trees and supporting 3,000 nonprofit organizations.