La-femme (EMEA Community Week) – MetLife today announced it has renewed its partnership with Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity to provide employees across its Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) markets with the opportunity to volunteer in community projects.
MetLife’s 4,000 employees in 26 EMEA countries have been invited to participate in activities with one of the organisations during the region’s Community Week which starts in mid-May. Employees will be able to volunteer at a Special Olympics event to play sport with young people with intellectual disabilities or support local Habitat for Humanity initiatives to build or renovate buildings in disadvantaged areas.
The initiative has been funded by MetLife Foundation, the philanthropic arm of MetLife. MetLife Foundation has a long tradition of supporting initiatives that engage MetLife volunteers in activities that improve quality of life and increase opportunities for the underserved.
Dirk Ostijn, Head of EMEA, MetLife, said: “We are delighted to be able to build on our strong, multi-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics. More than 750 employees in over 20 markets across EMEA volunteered last year and were clear that they want to do more this year. Community Week offers all of us a fantastic opportunity to give something back to the community we work in.”
Mary Davis, CEO Special Olympics, added: “Volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics movement. It is through their enthusiasm and commitment that we are able to celebrate every Special Olympics athlete and build more inclusive communities. We are so thrilled to once again welcome MetLife employees throughout Europe and the Middle East during this year’s Community week engagements.”
Torre Nelson, vice president for Habitat for Humanity International – Europe, Middle East, Africa said: “MetLife’s annual Community Week shines a crucial light on affordable housing issues in Europe and the Middle East. Their volunteers help families in need of decent affordable housing build strength and stability through shelter.”
About MetLife
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (« MetLife »), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.
About MetLife Foundation
At MetLife Foundation, we believe financial health belongs to everyone. We bring together bold solutions, deep financial expertise and meaningful grants to build financial health for people and communities that are underserved and aspire for more. We partner with organizations around the world to create financial health solutions and build stronger communities, engaging MetLife employees to help drive impact. To date, our financial health work has reached more than 6 million low-income individuals in 42 countries. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit metlife.org.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968, and celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 6 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries. With the support of more than 1 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
