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May 18, 2009
Alcoa Foundation grant to the East Iceland Occupational Rehabilitation Centre
The Alcoa Foundation has decided to grant the East Iceland Occupational Rehabilitation Centre with 70,000 US$ over a two-year period. Steinthór Thórdarson, HR Manager of Fjardaál, presented the the first part of the grant, 35,000 US$ to the Centre today.
The East Iceland Occupational Rehabilitation Centre‘s aim is to provide assistance for individuals who have been away from the work market for some time on account of illness, an accident ,or social circumstances, and rehabilitate them for work and/or studies and build up their energy for work. It is emphasized that the individual can be rehabilitated in his or her locality and that the infrastructure of the surrounding community is utilized, for instance the public health care system, social services and educational institutions.
“At these times, it is particularly pleasing to present the East Iceland Occupational Rehabilitation Centre with this grant from the Alcoa Foundation. The Centre offers a phenomenal programme, based on a model from North Iceland, which has helped people in re-entering the system, either by getting a job or going back to school. These individuals have been reactivated, which is vital for their own benefit and for the good of the community,” said Steinthór Thórdarson when he presented the grant.
The Centre operates in three locations in East Iceland: in Egilsstadir, Reydarfjördur and Höfn. A total of fifty individuals are currently involved in rehabilitation. Erla Jónsdóttir, the manager of the Centre, said that the grant signifies a recognition of the organization. “And it provides a foundation for offering a more diverse programme to the advantage of our participants and society as a whole,” Erla said.
Last year, community giving by Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation totaled over US$50.6 million across 35 countries. Alcoa employees volunteered over 705,000 hours to community service projects – the equivalent of more than 350 people working full time for a year
About Alcoa Foundation
Alcoa Foundation is a nonprofit U.S. corporate foundation with assets of approximately US$370 million. Its mission is to actively invest in the quality of life in Alcoa communities worldwide. Throughout it history, Alcoa Foundation has been a source of positive community change and enhancement, with over US$490 million invested since 1952.
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