Community Education
Meaningful involvement in our local communities is a cornerstone
of who we are. Our goal in community education is to strengthen our
communities by investing in programs that matter to our employees
and that inspire them to volunteer their time and talents.
SanDisk employees have a particular affinity for and commitment
to education. From volunteering in classrooms, to mentoring and
tutoring students, SanDisk employees give their time in the
community working on behalf of our children. Here's a sampling of
the various programs and activities our employees participate in
worldwide:
United States
Junior Achievement's "Teach for a Day" Program: SanDisk
Milpitas' Community Sharing Committee has annually sponsored this
event at elementary schools in Milpitas, California. This year,
more than 600 students from kindergarten through fifth grade
benefitted from the contributions of SanDisk volunteers who taught
the basics of business and entrepreneurship in a program that
builds on the schools' social studies curricula with a focus on how
community cooperation benefits society as a whole.
Stepping Up to Algebra: SanDisk has sponsored
the Silicon Valley Education Foundation's "Stepping Up to Algebra"
program through direct financial support as well by providing
employees who volunteer to assist teachers. This five-week program
targets 1,800 middle school students in 40 schools to advance their
knowledge in algebra and advance their understanding of the
importance of math in their future education and careers.
"Back-to-School" Backpack Drive: In
California's Santa Clara County, SanDisk's Community Sharing
Committee annually organizes the company's Back-to-School backpack
drive to provide under-privileged children with a backpack full of
school supplies.
Israel
Kadmina Youth Center: At Kadmina's center for children
from needy families in Kfar Saba, SanDisk employees tutor kids,
assist with homework and provide mentioning. Children also receive
after school meals at the center.
Hinuch Lepsagot ("College For All"): SanDisk
employees at our Tefen site volunteer at this education center in
Carmiel. The organization identifies school children with high
academic and individual potential from economically distressed
families and provides them with top quality, socially-minded
academic programs.
Memory Experience Day: For the last three
years, SanDisk has hosted an all-day program for local teens at our
Kfar Saba site. Students from three neighboring high schools who
are majoring in Computers, Physics, Electronics or Robotics, enjoy
a day of short lectures by SanDisk employees on different aspects
of digital, human and historical-collective memory, a memory quiz
and a "Memory Champion" contest. Our employees also participate on
Q & A panels with the students.
Psagot Youth education project: In the village
of Psagot, volunteers from SanDisk Israel and other volunteers from
the local community teach classes on photography, music and
sports.
India
India School Support: SanDisk has donated USB flash
drives for use in schools in India through programs initiated by
the American India Foundation.
SOS Children's Villages-India: SanDisk India
(via the SanDisk Foundation) is sponsoring one "Village Home" that
will serve all of the needs of 10 children for one year. SOS
Children's Villages-India runs comprehensive program for
orphans.
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled: Founded by
two blind and dynamic young men, this organization provides
housing, education and employment preparation and training for
physically disabled kids who are economically disadvantaged in
India. SanDisk India (via the SanDisk Foundation) is donating funds
that will support the construction of a boarding school that's
currently being constructed.
One School at a Time (OSAAT): One School at a
Time provides the needed infrastructure to help construct and
rebuild rural schools that serve poor and underprivileged children
in developing countries. Focusing on one school at a time for
renovation, the organization collaborates with non-profit
organizations to generate wider support for children and schools,
build classrooms, and provide services, including for furniture,
sanitary facilities and clean drinking water. OSAAT has a
successful history of rebuilding dilapidated schools in rural
India. SanDisk India (via the SanDisk Foundation) is donating
funding for the rebuilding of a specific school to be identified in
2011.