ExxonMobil Green Team Contributes to Revitalization of Eagle Ford Neighborhood and Maintenance of City Parks
14 June 2005
ExxonMobil and the City of Dallas kicked off the 24th ExxonMobil Green Team program today at a construction site where participating students will build the first two homes in a new West Dallas development. The ExxonMobil Green Team houses will contribute to the rebirth of the historic Eagle Ford neighborhood. In addition, participating students will assist the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department with city beautification projects.
"ExxonMobil is especially proud of this program because it enhances surrounding communities and supports local youth by providing summer jobs that deliver a paycheck, educational opportunities and a sense of accomplishment," said Susan Carter, global community relations manager for ExxonMobil. "The ExxonMobil Green Team is a unique collaboration of governmental, educational, public and private organizations working together to positively impact our city."
Sponsored by ExxonMobil and managed by the City of Dallas, the ExxonMobil Green Team program provides paid summer jobs and educational enrichment classes for 100 local high school students. There are two groups of students in this program -- the parks group and the construction group. This year, 76 students will work with the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department to landscape and maintain parks and athletic fields. In addition, 24 students will work with the City of Dallas Housing Department and Builders of Hope CDC to build two affordable homes in the Eagle Ford neighborhood. The homes are sold to qualified applicants.
The ExxonMobil Green Team also encourages students to focus on education through daily classes at the ExxonMobil Academy at El Centro College. During the summer, students in the parks program will attend classes at El Centro and explore opportunities available through higher education. The ExxonMobil Academy teaches basic academic courses in math, reading, writing and computer literacy. Students in the construction program receive on-site construction training and supervision by North Lake College's construction technology instructors. These construction students also join the parks students for weekly enrichment programs and field trips each Friday.
"Builders of Hope CDC is committed to creating 'Communities of Hope and Opportunity' in the neighborhoods of West Dallas," said Norman Henry, president, Builders of Hope CDC. "We are grateful to the ExxonMobil Foundation for helping us build two affordable houses for low-income families, provide jobs for our youth, and promote Dallas as a city of 'Opportunity' for all its residents. ExxonMobil is an outstanding corporate citizen, and its commitment to our young people is a model for others to follow."
Managed by the City of Dallas Housing Department, the 2005 ExxonMobil Green Team program has many community partners including: City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department; Dallas County Community College District - El Centro College and North Lake College; Builders of Hope CDC; Inwood National Bank; JP Morgan Chase and Acme Brick.
The ExxonMobil Green Team is a signature community program funded by ExxonMobil Foundation. ExxonMobil provided a $252,000 grant to the City of Dallas to fund the Green Team summer program this year. Since its launch in 1981, ExxonMobil has invested more than $5.5 million in the Dallas program. Upon completion of the 2005 program, the ExxonMobil Green Team will have reached more than 3,000 students, constructed 25 homes and completed numerous park improvements.
The Dallas program has become a model for ExxonMobil Green Team programs in cities across the country where ExxonMobil has operations, including Beaumont, Texas; Torrance, Calif.; Clinton, N.J.; Paulsboro, N.J.; Chalmette, La.; and Arlington, Va.
About ExxonMobil Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation engages in a broad range of philanthropic activities focusing on the communities where Exxon Mobil Corporation has significant operations. In 2004, ExxonMobil Foundation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and its divisions and affiliates provided $106.5 million in contributions worldwide, with $40 million dedicated to education.
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Contact:
Sunwest Communications
Jill McMillan or Leslie Ballou, 214-373-1601
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Source: ExxonMobil Foundation
Source: Business Wire
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