College of Business Administration

Social and Ethical Issues in Business

Clothing Drive

GROUP MEMBERS:

Jim Benson
Seng Phuong
Prathana (Paul) Sayavong
Troy Small
Leo Siuchung

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Goal:
The goal for the social change project was to collect clothes from local companies and organizations and deliver them to the Neil Good Day Center of San Diego, a non-profit organization. They will distribute our clothes directly to the homeless population of San Diego. We consider this project to be seasonal due to the climatic weather during the winter season. In addition, we hope to increase the awareness of the social organizations available to assist the homeless. With the immense success we have had with this drive, the group decided to keep it going through the holiday season.

Background:
The Neil Good Day Center began operations in September 1991. It is managed by Cecilia Russell and a staff of three. There is a security guard on the premises around the clock. The Center serves 300-350 people a week, and receives funding through the Alpha Project from the city. They believe that the best way to help the homeless is to get them to be self sustaining; thus the goal of the Alpha Project is 'Get the Homeless Working.' The Center provides clothing and shelter as well as a host of other services for the homeless. These services include restroom and shower facilities, washer and dryer facilities, storage space, mail and message services, first aid, assistance in finding and preparing for job interviews, counseling, etc. The Center has a medical van that makes rounds thoughout San Diego on Tuesday and Thursday. In addition it has counselors on site Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week. The Center also has a library of donated books and games available to its clients. It has affiliations with the organizations listed in our appendix that also give clothing directly to the homeless. The nearby Rescue Mission and St. Vincent De Paul Center provide meals for the clients of the Center. The Center also provides a limited number of temporary jobs through the 'Take Back the Streets' program and a block cleanup program. These programs are funded by Community Development Block Grants.

The Clothing Drive Process:
Our collection efforts started October 1 and will continue through the holidays. Our group went about the project by selecting the companies that we were likely to be associated with and the people we have known. Our group drafted memorandums and presented them to our target companies and organizations. With the cooperation of the companies and organizations, we then set up boxes in designated areas for the clothing drive. We were all responsible for picking up the clothing at our chosen sites and to take them to the Neil Good Day Center.

Media Relations:
Program participants were publicly thanked through the use of an advertisement in the Union-Tribune for their efforts in helping us carry on our clothing drive. Our choices consisted of the Penny Saver or Union-Tribune. We chose the Union-Tribune because of the wider circulation. It appeared in the special announcement section on Thursday Dec 5.

Results:
The drive resulted in the collection of over 65 bags of clothing for men, women, and children for the homeless population in San Diego. It is hoped that this will be the catalyst that will spark the flames of caring and giving by other organizations. Together we can all make a difference and eliminate this tragic situation. It is hoped that by providing the names and addresses of additional agencies that other people and organizations will step in and continue the programs needed to assist the homeless.

Return to Professor Dunn's home page.