#USA #Atlanta #disaster relief #Wildfires #Home Depot Foundation

Increased Commitment from The Home Depot Foundation

In a recent announcement, The Home Depot Foundation has significantly escalated its financial commitment to aid communities in Southern California affected by catastrophic wildfires. The Foundation is allocating an additional $2 million, raising its total investment to $3 million in a united effort to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and support long-term recovery initiatives. This move comes in response to dire assessments from nonprofit partners about the extensive damage caused by these fires.

Key Areas of Support

The allocation of funds includes:

• - $2 million directed to nonprofit organizations involved in disaster response, such as Team Rubicon, World Central Kitchen, and Convoy of Hope. This funding will cater to the pressing relief needs and facilitate long-term recovery projects.
• - $1 million earmarked for the ‘Path to Pro’ initiative, which focuses on addressing the skilled labor shortage in the region as communities work towards rebuilding.

Erin Izen, the executive director of The Home Depot Foundation, commented on the critical nature of the situation, stating, "The rebuilding efforts will require skilled construction workers, a sector that is already facing a workforce shortage. It is crucial to address the immediate needs of these communities and ensure they are equipped to reconstruct thousands of structures for many associates and customers of The Home Depot affected by the fires."

Immediate Community Aid

Since the wildfires flared up earlier this month, The Home Depot has proactively donated essential supplies, including water and masks, to local nonprofits and individuals in urgent need. Team Rubicon, a national partner of the Foundation composed of military veterans, has activated a volunteer response, utilizing The Home Depot location in Simi Valley as a staging site. Volunteers from Team Rubicon have mobilized to assist survivors across Los Angeles County with vital supplies and educational resources.

Art delaCruz, CEO of Team Rubicon, shared, "We are witnessing a steady increase in volunteer numbers here in the Los Angeles area. The initial investment by The Home Depot Foundation back in 2012 has greatly enhanced our resources and capabilities, allowing us to provide more robust support in disaster relief and recovery missions like this one."

Supporting Home Depot Employees

Additionally, The Home Depot's employee assistance initiative, The Homer Fund, has activated its emergency grant program to ensure associates who have lost their homes or are under mandatory evacuation orders can access safe housing, clothing, food, and essential supplies.

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation, a nonprofit arm of The Home Depot (NYSE: HD), is devoted to enhancing the homes and lives of American veterans while also supporting disaster-impacted communities and training skilled professionals to address labor shortages. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested over $550 million into veteran support initiatives and has improved more than 65,000 homes and facilities for veterans. With a renewed commitment to invest $750 million in veteran causes by 2030 and an additional $50 million to train the next generation of skilled professionals through the ‘Path to Pro’ program, the Foundation continues to uphold its mission of community improvement.

For more details on the Foundation, visit HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow them on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and on Facebook and Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation.

Addressing the Skilled Labor Crisis

The 'Path to Pro' program aims to bridge the gap in the construction industry, which is currently facing a job vacancy crisis with over 400,000 unfilled positions. By providing free training opportunities and scholarships, the program empowers youth, underserved communities, and transitioning military personnel to embark on careers in plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, and HVAC.

Furthermore, The Home Depot connects qualified professionals with job opportunities in construction and offers free virtual classes on career readiness. For more information, visit PathtoPro.com and take the first step toward a rewarding career.

Through these initiatives, The Home Depot Foundation exemplifies a staunch commitment to aiding communities in crisis and fortifying the workforce necessary to rebuild the future.