At Onet, skills-based philanthropy can take many different forms: collective action on the ground, or individual contributions of expertise. Two recent initiatives, led by the Onet Foundation, illustrate these two aspects of our commitment: a distribution of hygiene kits in Lyon alongside UNISOAP and Secours Islamique France, and an afternoon of HR coaching for beneficiaries of La Cravate Solidaire.
Skills-based volunteering allows volunteer employees of the Onet Group to dedicate two days per year of their work time to a nonprofit organization, putting their professional skills to use. This program, led by the Onet Foundation, can take the form of a group project—carried out as a team in the field—or an individual project, in which an employee works alone in their area of expertise. Two recent projects illustrate these two formats.
On June 25, employees from Onet Propreté et Facility Services and Onet Sécurité joined forces withUNISOAP at the Secours Islamique France offices in Lyon to distribute hygiene kits alongside food packages. This effort helped 200 families leave with a little more comfort in their daily lives.
These same teams had already joined forces with UNISOAP in the lead-up to this event by participating in the hygiene product drive organized by the Onet Foundation last March, right on site, to benefit the organization. This initiative inspired them to take things a step further by committing to a team mission: distributing hygiene kits at the Secours Islamique France facilities.
The kits, prepared in advance by UNISOAP, address a need that is often overlooked: for many families living in precarious circumstances, access to basic hygiene products remains a major obstacle in their daily lives.
For the employees who volunteered, this half-day in the field was particularly memorable: their direct contact with the beneficiaries allowed them to see firsthand the impact of their efforts.
Skills-based volunteering can also take the form of an individual project led by a single employee in their area of expertise. That’s the path chosen by Alexiane Crot, a recruitment specialist at Onet Logistique et Production, who spent an afternoon volunteering with La Cravate Solidaire, an organization that helps job seekers prepare for interviews.
Alexiane had already participated in several nonprofit projects and wanted to get involved again. She had initially contacted La Cravate Solidaire to volunteer there on a personal basis, but the typical volunteer commitment required availability during the week that was incompatible with her schedule. Pro bono work then became the solution: using her designated days to put her professional skills to work for the nonprofit.
In practical terms, an afternoon at La Cravate Solidaire consists of three parts for the beneficiaries:
For about 30 minutes, she met with each participant alongside another volunteer to discuss their career plans, conduct a mock interview, and then provide feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement.
Three encounters, three different journeys, each of which left a lasting impression on Alexiane.
Whether the commitment is collective or individual, it stems from the same conviction: putting one’s skills and time to work for a cause. For Alexiane, this mission confirmed something essential: “It allowed me to confirm that I can contribute my professional expertise in a nonprofit setting and tangibly help people achieve their goal of finding a job. ” She sums up her experience in one sentence: “A wonderful moment of sharing that benefited everyone.”
On the ground, the staff members deployed in Lyon expressed a similar sentiment: that of making a tangible difference in the face of realities that are sometimes invisible.
Through these two initiatives, the Onet Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting organizations that fight against precarious living conditions and substandard housing. Whether working as part of a team in the field or individually in a specific area of expertise, pro bono work allows each employee to find the form of engagement that suits them best, in support of a cause they choose themselves.
Would you like to volunteer to support a nonprofit organization? Contact us to find out about volunteer opportunities in your area.