Unum is providing direct support to Hamilton County public schools through four new initiatives. Three new grants and a mentoring program are designed to improve student engagement and achievement.
Unum and Hamilton County Schools representatives held a press conference Monday at the Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts to announce the endeavors.
“At Unum we believe in giving back to the communities in which we live and work,” said Bob Greving, chief financial officer and chief actuary for Unum.
“The quality of education impacts every aspect of the community. We want to make a positive, lasting change in the communities where we operate by being a partner in education.”
“We know that a strong community is supported by a strong educational system and Unum is demonstrating their belief in that philosophy as well,” said Superintendent Dr. Jim Scales. “We are very appreciative of their support both monetarily as well as with human capital. This investment in our children will payoff in the years to come as we prepare our students for the global marketplace.”
Unum’s philanthropy encompasses four major initiatives: a mentoring program at two middle schools, classroom mini-grants, an elementary school technology grant and a technology challenge grant.
Mentor Program
In the mentor program, Unum’s commitment to Hamilton County Schools is shared with Unum employees. Unum values employee involvement in its communities and focuses on opportunities to have employees involved with the nonprofit partners it supports. Through a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Unum employees will be trained and matched with a sixth grade student at Orchard Knob Middle School and Dalewood Middle School.
The pilot mentoring program will be supported by an $11,200 contribution to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Unum Strong Schools Grants Program
This program is designed to support and celebrate effective, creative ways to engage students and improve their learning and achievement levels.
Grants, up to $1,000, will be awarded for classroom or school-based projects and lessons in K-12 Hamilton County Schools.
Elementary School Technology Grant
Through the Elementary School Project, Unum will provide two Promethean Collaborative Teaching Systems in seven elementary schools in Hamilton County Schools. The grant will provide the cutting edge technology to well-performing elementary schools that that are making significant gains from year to year and are actively seeking funding for the whiteboard systems. The following schools will receive the interactive white boards:
Apison Elementary
East Ridge Elementary
Ooltewah Elementary
Allen Elementary
East Brainerd Elementary
Wallace A Smith
Wolftever Creek Elementary
Unum recognizes the need for technology in the classroom and is committing $105,000 to this grant.
Technology Challenge Grant
To leverage the support of other businesses, organizations and individuals for the Promethean Collaborative Teaching System Project, Unum is matching corporate donations made to schools specifically for this technology.
For the next four years, a $50,000 annual contribution is set aside for matching the gifts from area businesses and individuals.
“Our support of public education is important,” said Bob Best, chief operating officer for Unum US. “Helping build well-rounded, civic-minded students today helps build the strong leaders of tomorrow. We are pleased to support Hamilton County school children, and look forward to building upon our relationship through our corporate giving and employee involvement.”