Chem-Trend, a Freudenberg company, receives $150K grant toward partnership with LACASA

Chem-Trend, a global leader in the development and production of high-performance release agents, purging compounds and other ancillary molding products, headquartered in Howell, Michigan, has received a $150,000 grant from its parent company Freudenberg toward sponsorship of LACASA’s LEAD the Way project. Funding for the program comes as part of the Freudenberg Group’s corporate giving initiative called e², geared toward championing education and environment. Over the next five years, Freudenberg is committed to donating up to 10 million euro to initiatives that have a focus on education or the environment. Not a monetary giving campaign alone, all donations will be complemented by direct involvement and expertise of Freudenberg associates, along with providing additional resources in support of initiatives in communities around the world in which Freudenberg does business.

LACASA, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to serve, protect, educate and advocate for victims and survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault, developed LEAD the Way as an educational program for teens that encourages building healthy relationships and provides tools and education to help prevent interpersonal violence, including dating violence and sexual assault. In addition to the $150,000 grant from Freudenberg, Chem-Trend will sponsor the program through 2018 with contributions to include volunteer support from employees via opportunities such as training sessions, educational presentations, advisory councils and serving as mentors.

“For us, corporate responsibility goes beyond our business practices and we want to contribute toward a safe and healthy environment for our community. Transformational programs that deliver positive, impactful messages and resources for children and teens are a valuable part of that,” said John Lundin, vice president and general manager at Chem-Trend. “Our Chem-Trend values and Freudenberg Guiding Principles are closely aligned with that of LACASA’s, and, through the generosity of the e² initiative, we are proud to support the LEAD the Way program in providing education and empowerment toward the prevention of abuse.”

According to national statistics, one in three teens reports being in an abusive relationship and one in four students are sexually assaulted while attending college.

“Adolescence in itself leaves our children vulnerable to peer pressure, which can expose them to violence, negative messaging, drugs and alcohol and in turn lead them to difficult choices and unhealthy decisions,” said Bobette Schrandt, president and CEO of LACASA. “Our goal is to provide students with knowledge, leadership skills and confidence to protect themselves and their peers against interpersonal violence, and we can achieve those things with LEAD the Way.”

Deanna Norris, community engagement director for LACASA, and Jacqueline Munson-Gaines, Chem-Trend human resources director – North America, spearheaded the formation of the program, following a successful history of past sponsorships and collaboration between the two organizations. “With the LEAD the Way program, we recognized a need in the community and an opportunity for our employees, who are dedicated to making a difference where we live and work, to engage with the organization,” Munson-Gaines said of Chem-Trend and LACASA’s partnership.

LEAD the Way will be implemented over a three-year period and supports four major themes: leadership, education, awareness and the development of healthy relationships. Chem-Trend employees will help manage a series of programs meant to advocate each theme. The campaign is moving toward implementation and the program is expected to be active as early as spring 2016.

If you are an abuse victim or survivor seeking help, please call the LACASA Help Line at 866-522-2725 for immediate assistance. To learn more about LACASA Center and its programs, please visit lacasacenter.org.

LACASA Center is an independent nonprofit organization that relies on grant funding and donations from individuals and community organizations to provide services at no cost to survivors of interpersonal violence and their families. Support services include a 24-hour helpline, on-call response team and emergency shelter; legal advocacy; individual, family and group counseling; transitional housing; pet safe shelter and more. In 2015 alone, over 2,600 help line calls were received, 5,000 nights of emergency shelter and 15,000 meals provided, 800 victims sought help at its counseling center and 10,000 people were reached through programming offered by LACASA. For more information on how you can help, click here.