Hardwood Floors February/March 2017

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Corporate Citizen? (Continued)

And sometimes that small act grows into something wonderfully large.

Sheoga Hardwood Flooring vice president Barbara Titus was the spark that led to the National Wood Flooring Association’s involvement with the Gary Sinise Foundation and its commitment to helping build more accessible homes for people with disabilities through the foundation’s R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program. Titus had seen a story about war hero and triple-amputee Kyle Hockenberry of Marietta, Ohio, and the Gary Sinise Foundation’s plans to build a “smart house” customized with wider hallways, automatic doors, elevators and other conveniences to help the veteran be as independent as possible. Titus wanted to make sure an Ohio-based manufacturer was involved. And the rest, as they say, is history. (Read more about the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program in Supporting Wounded Veterans One Floor at a Time on page 36.) But that’s only part of the Ohio-based company’s commitment. Sheoga Hardwood Flooring works closely with the Geauga Growth Partnership, a local organization that supports local businesses. “We host a high school internship program that includes a career readiness day where volunteers help juniors and seniors prepare for interviews and write their resumes. Then some of those participants are hired by corporations as paid interns during their junior or senior years,” explained Titus.

Above and below: Interactions with Kyle and Ashley Hockenberry. Photos courtesy of Sheoga Hardwood Flooring.

“We’re making a difference by giving them their dignity and autonomy back.”

At Sheoga, students get a comprehensive view of manufacturing. “We rotate them through every moulding side of the plant where they get involved in all phases of preparing the lumber for manufacture into solid or engineered flooring. Eventually, they go to production safety meetings, board meetings, management meetings and work in the office,” shared Titus. The program benefits the community, the company and the student. The program has placed 34 students in 2016 and that number grows every year. Titus has seen firsthand how students have grown in confidence and skills during the program. The employees who mentor the students also benefit. “It gives our guys an opportunity to be a mentor and helps their self-esteem and self-worth as well,” She says. Sheoga Hardwood Flooring has even hired several employees from the program.

Above and Below: High school interns who participated in Sheoga’s internship program. Photos courtesy of Sheoga Hardwood Flooring.

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