Within minutes of arriving at the S.T.R.E.E.T. Center, 19 business executives had 22 new best friends.

The connections happened through a joint Day of Caring service project involving senior leaders from Stryker Corporation and Pfizer Inc. The executives bonded with teen boys participating in the S.T.R.E.E.T. Program, part of Community Healing Centers.

S.T.R.E.E.T is an acronym for an approach for helping teens avoid destructive lifestyles. The program provides resources and support to encourage success in school and in life. Positive role models and alternatives to street life are key elements—ones that the Stryker and Pfizer colleagues were thrilled to provide.

During the Sept. 2 Day of Caring, the executives toured the Center, worked with the kids to build five picnic tables and two basketball hoops, assisted with delivery and security for a new shed, and served a hearty picnic lunch. But the biggest impact they had was through the time they spent getting to know the S.T.R.E.E.T. participants.

In addition to their S.T.R.E.E.T. work, Pfizer and Stryker are having a friendly competition during this year’s United Way campaign, challenging each other to achieve the highest employee participation rate.

Watch this space for the results of that challenge! 

Interested in a Day of Caring or finding another way to volunteer? Click here, fill out the form and we’ll help you!