If companies see the gap in Eindhoven as a problem, they will have to show even more leadership in this area. Our Foundation Together for Eindhoven is ready to work with them to practically address the most pressing bottlenecks such as child poverty and debt. Combining knowledge, experience and commitment in a long-term program is the bridge between people on both sides of the gap.
I call on companies and their employees to increase their job happiness by sharing their time and talent with those who need it.
Esther Hofstede
founder and director Foundation Together for Eindhoven
Closing gap between rich and poor requires more corporate commitment and leadership
"In Brainport Eindhoven, a divide threatens the growth of the regional economy," the Eindhovens Dagblad reported Nov. 7, 2019. "On one side of the divide are the well-earning, highly educated Eindhoven knowledge workers. And on the other side are the low-skilled Eindhoven residents." More than 10% of Eindhoven residents, many of whom are families with children, live below the poverty line. How is this possible in our beautiful prosperous Brainport, the smartest region in the world?
Out in the cold
Poverty is a complex problem where an appropriate solution is not easily found. The government is called upon to act but cannot do it alone. Companies are willing to think along but do not know how. Especially in Brainport, where cooperation is in our DNA, a major party now seems to be forgotten in the search for a solution. After all, many social organizations dedicate themselves daily to the ever-growing group of Eindhoven residents who need it so badly. Precisely these organizations have real contact with the people who are in financial trouble. They know the names, the faces and see daily the pain that poverty brings. You can't come up with a solution without involving them. They feel left out in the cold and have to do their work with fewer and fewer people and resources as the problem grows.
Mobilizing business
Together for Eindhoven is the connector between these civil society organizations, businesses and the local government. With a practical, results-oriented approach, we bridge the gap between the two sides. We have already mobilized 10,000 business employees who voluntarily share their time, talent, knowledge and skills with the city. We have connected more than 100 companies and foundations in a partner network. That's a great start but the need is much greater and requires long-term, structural solutions.
Mayor Jorritsma and Brainport focus on work and education as the solution. But how can you engage in this when you have to worry about money every day. When you don't know if you can let your child go to school with a full belly. These people are surviving. I was at Kledingbank Eindhoven last week. We collected coats and I went to drop off some extra children's coats. The Clothing Bank told me that people can only go to pick out warm clothes in January. There is a shortage of volunteers who can hand out the clothes. But it's already cold, these people need warm clothes now.
Commitment
We see that companies would like to be socially engaged but are not sure how to do so. There seems to be a big mismatch between what companies want and what is really needed. Team events where people volunteer are very valuable but it does not always match the demand that is really there. In addition, the demand from the city is at least five times greater than the supply from companies. There is also a need for commitment of knowledge and time. Giving time to be meaningful to another is an investment. This requires more commitment from companies than volunteering one day a year.
Call
If companies see the gap in Eindhoven as a problem, they will have to show even more leadership in this area. Our Foundation Together for Eindhoven is ready to work with them to practically address the most pressing bottlenecks such as child poverty and debt. Combining knowledge, experience and commitment in a long-term program is the bridge between people on both sides of the divide. I call on companies and their employees to increase their job happiness by sharing their time and talent with those in need. This goes hand in hand with the healthy self-interest of companies to attract and retain top talent in the region. On the one hand, this makes your company an attractive employer and, on the other, leads to a livable city where everyone matters and is allowed to participate.
Esther Hofstede
founder and director Foundation Together for Eindhoven
esther@samenvooreindhoven.nl
