Workrise Employees Donate Over 150 Backpacks in Back-to-School Drive

Workrise’s Black Employee Network and Elevate Foundation teamed up to support the Austin Area Urban League’s (AAUL) recent Back-to-School Backpack Drive.

Workrise’s Black Employee Network (BEN) launched in June, and it was important for the employee-led resource group to hit the ground running. The group was looking for ways to volunteer near the company’s headquarters in Austin, and the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) was the perfect opportunity.

“We found out about the Backpack Drive by talking with AAUL Board Members about their upcoming events,” said BEN Board Member Lamar Blanton.

In July, Workrise’s Elevate Foundation contributed $25,000 each to the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) and Skillpoint Alliance as part of its quarterly grant funding commitment to nonprofits. These organizations create economic opportunities through upskilling, training, and additional career advancement support. The foundation’s mission is to reduce the unemployment and wage gap for Black Americans by establishing long-term community partnerships with local organizations.

The Backpack Drive was the first opportunity BEN has had to support a local nonprofit. Workrise employees donated 150 backpacks, 60 notebooks, 200 crayons and markers and 300 glue sticks to the drive, helping AAUL distribute nearly 1,500 backpacks to five Austin Independent School Districts. Each backpack was filled with a variety of school supplies and given to a K-12 student in need.

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The Backpack Drive was a great opportunity to showcase how we can support our local communities and we are excited to do more events like this in the future.

Lamar Blanton, BEN Board Member

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Workrise is committed to creating lasting partners with nonprofit organizations through our employee resource groups and The Elevate Foundation.

About the Black Employee Network (BEN)

Workrise’s Black Employee Network (BEN) is an employee-led resource group that cultivates accessible environments for career development, professional mentoring, employee participation, and community involvement for Black Americans.

About Elevate Foundation

The Workrise Elevate Foundation is an initiative to reduce the unemployment and wage gap for Black Americans by creating and funding new economic opportunities through upskilling, training, and additional career advancement opportunities.  Elevate looks forward to supporting more non profits in the future and developing lasting community partnerships. Read more about how the Elevate Foundation is changing lives here.

About Austin Area Urban League

The AAUL’s mission is to provide tools to African Americans and under-served populations to build a foundation for social and economic equality. For over 40 years, the Austin Area Urban League has served underfunded populations and communities of color, inclusive of Spanish-speaking populations in Central Texas through its five empowerment pillars: Workforce and Career Development, Housing, Education and Youth Development, Health and Wellness, and Justice and Advocacy.

About Skillpoint Alliance

The mission of Skillpoint Alliance is to provide a gateway for individuals to transform their lives through rigorous skills-based training and education. Their focus is high quality training in the skilled trades (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC) and advanced manufacturing (Certified Production Technician).