PLANO, Texas, March 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Late last
year, Toyota North America launched an initiative to bring employee
voices to help address disparities in communities across the
country.
The idea: Create a grassroots employee-led fund to
address social and racial justice issues spearheaded by Toyota's
100 employee resource group chapters.
Toyota employee resource groups representing Asians, Blacks,
Christians, People with Disabilities, Latinos, LGBTQ+, Parents, Pet
Advocates, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals, as well as
Environmental causes worked together to identify and direct funding
to programs in their local communities.
"This initiative brought us together, providing a collective
voice for good on issues that affect us all," said Sandra Phillips Rogers, group vice president,
chief legal officer and chief diversity officer, Toyota Motor North
America. "It also gave our employees the opportunity to take
concrete action within the communities where they work and
live."
The result: A total of $475,000 in grants awarded to 48 nonprofits in 17
communities across the country, addressing critical needs such as
food insecurity, healthcare access, economic self-reliance, youth
mentoring, job training, and education.
One such nonprofit to benefit from the program is YWCA
Charleston, in West Virginia. The
organization is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering
women, and promoting peace, justice, dignity and freedom for all.
Funding will support their ongoing implicit bias training and
outreach programs.
"Through this grant we can reach more people in the region and
provide training and resources to increase understanding of how
they can help eliminate racism," said Debby
Weinstein, chief executive officer, YWCA Charleston, W. Va.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in
the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing
sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus
brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly
employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed
world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30
million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including
our joint venture in Alabama that
begins production in 2021.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in
STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual
education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an
immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S.
manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free
STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips
and more. For more information about Toyota,
visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
Media Contact
Victor Vanov
victor.vanov@toyota.com
469-292-1318
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America