During a time where social distancing is the norm, finding ways to stay healthy in mind and spirit is important.
Inspired in part by current events, and hungry for more meaningful experiences that teach and demonstrate greater multicultural understanding and unity, our ten Business Resource Groups are taking an important step in encouraging the pursuit of activities as a unified team, in what they are calling Unity events.
The first of these events was the recent charity Unity Walk/Run/Roll. More than 1,100 FCA employees and contractors participated in this inaugural event held July 20 – 26.
The event was sponsored by the BRGs in partnership with FCA’s healthcare program 4URHLTH (For Your Health), which supports FCA employee health and wellness programs.
The virtual event gave North American employees and contractors the ability to work as a team to create better multicultural understanding among us, to support charitable causes, and offered a not so subtle reminder to all of us to care for our physical and emotional well-being at this challenging time.
While participants were encouraged to walk/ run/ roll at a distance of their choosing, they were also empowered to map their course for a 5K or 8.46 miles in remembrance of George Floyd. To stay connected virtually, participants submitted selfies when they finished their races and posted inspirational messages about what motivated them to participate in the event.
Cassandra Gilliam, Senior Manager – U.S. and Cross-Regional Marketing Finance, played an integral role in organizing the event, which came together in about six weeks. Gilliam is a member of the Fiat Chrysler African Ancestry Network (FCAAN) and serves as a Woman’s Alliance BRG board member.
“I am most proud of the ease in which all the BRGs immediately came together to make this happen in a relatively short time – that’s unity,” said Gilliam. “We have a lot of talented and creative people at this company who worked on this BRG Unity campaign including our 4URHLTH and United Way partners. I’m really proud of the concerted effort in support of the causes that matter to us.”
The Company supports ten employee-directed groups representing a range of affinity communities: African Ancestry, Latins, Asian, LGBTQ, veterans, Native Americans, Diverse Ability, Middle Eastern, Working Parents, and women.
These groups pursue projects that enhance the FCA work culture, focusing on networking and mentoring, celebrating multicultural differences and engaging external communities through volunteer and charitable activities.
