As part of the regular donation campaign of Zschimmer & Schwarz, the chemical company headquartered in Lahnstein, Germany, has supported the SL Child and Adolescent Assistance Foundation in São Leopoldo, Brazil, with a donation of 10,000 euros. The project was proposed by Aline da Silva, Managing Director of the Brazilian Zschimmer & Schwarz subsidiary, which is also based in São Leopoldo. 

The foundation for child and youth welfare looks after young people who find themselves in difficult situations due to neglect, mistreatment and/or sexual abuse. The foundation includes two facilities – Casa Aberta Padre Cândido Santini and Casa Abrigo Maria Emília Paula – where 55 children and young people aged 0 to 18 are currently cared for around the clock. Trained educational and psychological specialists as well as social workers are available to look after and support the children and young people. The facility allows them to go to school regularly, as well as to participate in various courses and workshops, such as English or computer courses, cooking workshops as well as leisure and educational trips.

"With the help of the generous donation from Zschimmer & Schwarz, a new library could be set up for the children and adolescents. In addition, the bathrooms have been renovated," says Aline da Silva, who proposed the donation project. "The institution is dependent on donations, so the foundation is very grateful for this support – and I am also happy that I was able to contribute with my proposal to helping the children and young people who live there." 

The donation campaign of Zschimmer & Schwarz was initiated by the shareholder families and is now an integral part of the company's social commitment. Every two years, employees have the opportunity to suggest local initiatives to be supported by the company with a donation.

The SL Child and Adolescent Assistance Foundation is one of 39 projects across Europe, North and South America as well as Asia supported by Zschimmer & Schwarz as part of the donation campaign with a total sum of around 350,000 euros. “For more than 130 years, our family company Zschimmer & Schwarz has consistently laid the focus of our activities on our fellow human beings. With this philosophy, we aim to give something valuable back to society,” explains Dr. Monika Börner, family shareholder of the Zschimmer & Schwarz Group. “We are happy to support initiatives of our employees and to involve ourselves in projects that deliver direct and sustainable effects at our business locations,” adds Thomas Schwarz, also family shareholder of Zschimmer & Schwarz.