Convergint’s culture of service, driven by our Values & Beliefs, is near and dear to our hearts. This year in particular, we’ve been deeply moved by the tragic events taking place in the schools of our communities. The very culture that is central to our success as an organization has moved us to engage our colleagues and partners to give back to our communities with an intensified focus on enhancing security in underserved K-12 schools.

For the past 17 years, on the first Friday in June, Convergint has shut down operations for a full (and paid) work day in order to allow our colleagues to go into their communities and contribute to those in need.

This year, we made a decision to launch our STEP Up (Secure, Train, Educate, and Protect) initiative under the umbrella of Convergint Social Responsibility Day, and 238 colleagues, from five regions stepped up at 8 local underserved schools. Convergint volunteer teams in Chicago, San Antonio, Austin, Cincinnati, and Atlanta provided and installed security cameras, tested and inspected fire alarm systems, updated antiquated systems, audited existing facilities, and provided security recommendations.

The impact from our 17th annual Convergint Social Responsibility Day was also felt at the local charitable organizations where we volunteered. Since its inception in 2002, Convergint Social Responsibility Day has given colleagues the chance to make a difference in the local communities where we live and work. This year, 2,474 Convergint colleagues, including family members and employees from partner organizations, volunteered at 61 organizations and schools. Convergint offices and partners donated more than $4,000 with gift cards and supplies and donated one full day of payroll equaling $878,000.

In addition to STEP Up school efforts, Convergint Social Responsibility Day volunteers gave their time at food banks, homeless shelters, children’s camps, Habitat for Humanity, hospitals, senior centers, wildlife refuges, animal shelters, foster care facilities, veteran’s homes, cemeteries, and other community organizations.

In addition to installing security cameras and surveillance technology, colleagues organized more than 27,000 pounds of food and prepared 19,625 meals, mended, built and installed fences, cleaned up grounds,  painted, built homes, made minor repairs,  power-washed, sorted clothes,  installed 70 metal doors, served lunch to veterans, and repaired cubbies, benches, tables, and stairs.