CGI California

CGI in the community

With offices in Sacramento, Redwood City and Los Angeles, hundreds of CGI California-based professionals live, work and volunteer in the communities they serve. As active participants in local activities and sponsorships, CGI is making a difference addressing the challenges our communities face through our local Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program. Sacramento is featured in CGI's CSR report and this CSR spotlight. While CGI members volunteer their time and money, CGI sponsors a host of initiatives including:

HELPING FAMILIES

Adopt-A-Family

For the last seven years, the CGI Sacramento office has "adopted" large families during the winter holiday season. Members throughout the office are involved with providing the families with basic necessities (such as food and clothing), toys and a tree with trimmings.

Annual Buy-a-Day Golf for Women and Children Shelter

Buy-a-Day is an online giving program that enables community members to purchase one or more days of housing for individuals and families at local shelters. To boost financial support for the program, the fund's creators host an annual golf tournament each fall, donating proceeds to benefit the homeless in the greater Sacramento area. CGI is a proud sponsor of several golfers and also volunteers to help organize and execute the event every year.

Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center (SAEHC)

In 1972, SAEHC began as a Family Shelter program providing the basic necessities for seven homeless families and has since evolved to an agency that now provides support on a daily basis for an average of 500 individuals across 14 programs. The center provides the tools and assistance to help homeless families and individuals become self-sufficient. CGI has supported the organization financially through its Corporate Social Responsibility program and held a volunteer event with SAEHC to build and plant community gardens for the residents. This year, CGI contributions provided homeless children with much-needed shoes that will last through the cold winter.

FOCUSING ON CHILDREN

Chalk it Up

Chalk-It-Up is a non-profit organization that raises money to fund grants, sponsorships and art education programs for children throughout the Sacramento region. Since 1991, the annual chalk art festival held during Labor Day weekend has raised money to support Sacramento youth arts initiatives. The festival brings local artists and families together to create hundreds of sidewalk masterpieces. CGI is an annual Major Sponsor for this event, donating funds and member creativity towards the event's success.

CASA

CASA provides training and support to court-appointed volunteers (Court Appointed Special Advocates) who advocate, on a one-to-one basis, for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. CASA volunteers play a pivotal role in ensuring children do not get lost in the legal and social services system. CASA strives to provide a trained advocate for every abused and neglected child in Sacramento who needs one. CGI was a proud sponsor of CASA's 2011 annual Light of Hope fundraiser in support of their important work for the Sacramento region.

Foster Youth Education Fund

The Foster Youth Education Fund (FYEF) organizes an annual tea and fashion show fundraiser to support its mission to help foster youth develop their talents and realize their dreams. The Fashion Show, held annually in Sacramento, features foster youth as the models and the stars of the show. The youth enjoy rehearsing their part, being fitted with fun fashions and building relationships through group activities. Each fall, CGI sponsors the event and our local team donates time to help produce the show. This year, CGI also sponsored a golf tournament benefitting FYEF and sponsored youth, including foster students, to play in the tournament alongside CGI members. In total, CGI donated over $11,600 to support FYEF in 2011.

Little Houses Festival

Little Houses Festival is a festive community event bringing together children and families to create, explore and play along the American River. Each family is invited to create their own little house using the offerings of nature. Proceeds benefit the Tubman House, a home and community for young, homeless parents and their children. CGI was a major sponsor for the first annual Little Houses Festival this year. According to Bridget Alexander, founder of Tubman House, "Tubman only works when we have the full support we need, from businesses like CGI, to run the program our residents deserve and thrive in … It's your donation and the support of the Sacramento community that provides the diapers, textbooks, groceries and staff to set lives back on track."

SUPPORTING LOCAL NEEDS

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a nationwide signature event to help raise funds for cancer research. Team members on the Sacramento team participate by taking turns walking for 24 hours as well as celebrating the lives of those who have battled cancer, remembering loved ones lost to the disease and fighting back against a disease that takes too much. Team CGI, also known as the "IWAC - I Want A Cure" Team, started participating in this great cause eight years ago and has been very active since then, holding benefit dinners, car washes, cooking demonstrations, bake sales and auctions. Over the years, the CGI team has raised over $35,000 for cancer research.

California State University, Sacramento

CGI is proud to be an annual sponsor at the College of Business Administration's (CBA) Awards Banquet at California State University, Sacramento. CGI Sac State alumni, along with students and key business faculty, join in the festivities to acknowledge the accomplishments of CBA's top business students.

Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue Benefit Dinner

Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc., is a volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing and healing displaced, abandoned, and homeless Golden Retrievers and Golden/Labrador mixes throughout Northern California. CGI was a sponsor of their annual Kibble & Bids™ fundraising event, featuring silent and live auctions, gourmet food and an award-winning classic car display.

KVIE Phone Bank

For the past seven years, CGI has volunteered with the California Central Valley's public television station, KVIE. KVIE Public Television is dedicated to serving the community with television programs that are educational, inspiring and entertaining. CGI members answer incoming pledge calls, helping to answer up to 120 calls and raising $7,000 - $10,000 per night. Each year, it is a mutually rewarding and successful event for both KVIE and CGI.