Staff from Charles River Analytics, developer of intelligent systems solutions, organized a volunteering event in July at Cradles to Crayons in Boston. The nonprofit organization aims to make life easier for children in need. Staff collected donations for the organization, such as clothing and school supplies.

According to the US Census Bureau, 21 percent of the population in Boston (131,871 out of 628,333 people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 14 percent. The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family’s total income is less than the family’s threshold, then that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

“Many people at Charles River want to make a difference, not only though our work, but by giving back to our community,” said Dan Mitchell, a software engineer who helped plan the event. “Cradles to Crayons is an amazing organization. Having the opportunity to work with them to help children in the area was a great experience. We’re already planning how we can do more with them and other local groups in the future.”

The event was organized by the VOICE committee, part of Charles River’s employee ownership organization. The committee provides a bridge between employee-owners and the Senior Management team, proactively shaping and maintaining the company’s culture as it continues to grow. The VOICE committee plans to organize a volunteering event each quarter.

The Model Behind the Mission

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive: at home, at school, and at play. The nonprofit supplies these items free-of-charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with children that need. Learn more at Cradles to Crayons Boston.