 “Make a Difference Day” is a community outreach program sponsored by AMCHAM Shanghai and jointly organized with - some NGOs. Grace China participated in several of the program’s rounds.
The first round of “Make a Difference Day” consisted of helping children from single-parent families enhance their communication skills and self-confidence. Fifteen employees from the Grace Shanghai office participated in this intensive, 2-day program in January 2006. Grace volunteers formed temporary “families” with the children, taking on the role of parents and working together with the kids to complete certain “tasks” which required creative group efforts. The ten children who joined the program were thrilled with the days’ activities.
However, the connection between the Grace volunteers and the children did not end when the games did. The Grace volunteers decided to develop closer, longer-term relationships with the children by exchanging “family” pictures and their personal contact numbers. The children were subsequently invited to Grace China’s 2006 New Year’s Party and the volunteers shared their stories with their colleagues in order to encourage more engagement in community outreach. The children were overjoyed to attend the company party, especially since they received numerous gifts from their “Moms” and “Dads”.
 The second round of “Make a Difference Day” consisted of providing environmental education to children from single-parent families and Community Migrant Schools. Ten employees from Grace’s Shanghai Office shared their weekend with more than 20 children, playing games and, at the same time, educating them on responsible environmental protection.
The 3rd round of “Make a Difference Day” was still focusing on children from single parent families in winter of 2007. Seven Grace volunteers participated and formed temporary “families” with the children and one of their parents. During the interesting games, the children and their parent had the opportunity to find out the community problems in their daily life. And they appreciated very much the volunteers sharing their observations and suggestions to help them improve family communication. |
