Class I Briefs: CSX, UP

Photo Courtesy of WWP, via Twitter

CSX announces new graduates from the Warrior to Work drone program through the Class I’s partnership with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Also, Union Pacific (UP) partners with The Manufacturing Institute to grow its Second Chance Hiring Program; and donates photography equipment to Chicago youth.

Recent graduates from WWP’s Warriors to Work drone program, presented by CSX, developed skills that will help them transition from military to civilian careers through the Class I’s Pride in Service company-wide commitment to “honor and serve those who serve our country and communities, aiming to deliver what they need and when they need it.”

Since 2018, CSX has provided resources and support, ranging from veteran training and employment resources to funding critical research to guide how the railroad serves and advocate for warriors and their families.

According to the Class I, more than 145,000 warriors have been impacted and their voices heard through CSX funded programs and research; hundreds of CSX employees have been engaged each year in donation drives, skills-based volunteering and fundraising; and more than $2.1 million has been donated to help wounded warriors and their families.

In 2018, CSX was the inaugural national sponsor of the WWP Carry Forward® 5K. Since then, the railroad says CSX and its employees have “remained committed to carrying flags, weights and each other in honor of our nation’s heroes” and have donated more than $480,000 through sponsorship and fundraising efforts to support wounded warriors and their families.

UP announced April 2 via a Twitter post that it is partnering with The Manufacturing Institute to grow its Second Chance Hiring program with more than 170 community organizations across the country, providing opportunities for people who were previously incarcerated.

According to UP, Second Chance Hiring, which “provides an opportunity to fill employment gaps while lifting up communities,” will be available in Chicago, Ill.; Oakland, Calif.; North Little Rock, Ark.; San Francisco, Calif.; New Orleans, La.; Portland, Ore.; Des Moines, Iowa; Houston, Tex.; Denver, Colo.; Twin Cities, Minn.; Dallas, Tex.; St. Louis, Mo.; Omaha, Nebr.; San Antonio, Tex.; Austin, Tex.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; and Los Angeles, Calif.

Separately, after hearing about a $10,000 camera burglary equipment from nonprofit FreshLens Chicago, UP Senior Manager-Risk Management Kurt Blodgett saw an opportunity for the Class I to step in.

“I knew it was going to take a mountain of effort to recover from this financial loss and kids would be directly impacted by it,” Blodgett said in a UP blog post.

According to the Class I, UP’s Risk Management team recently updated its equipment, and Blodgett thought the older cameras would still serve as quality resources for students in the FreshLens Chicago program. He facilitated UP’s donation of Risk Management’s gently used cameras with the help of his wife, Michelle, who is a volunteer instructor at FreshLens’ parent school, Chicago Photo Classes.

FreshLens Chicago offers educational arts programming, advanced photography lessons and portfolio development to students from under-resourced areas in Chicago. Students can graduate from the program and receive a gently used camera to keep as their own.

Approximately 150-200 teens have gone through the FreshLens Chicago 8-week program, with 95% earning their own camera.

In alignment with UP’s mission to strengthen its communities, FreshLens Chicago believes “no student should be denied access to enrichment opportunities based on their financial situation.”

“I left [FreshLens Chicago] teary-eyed after hearing about the personal impact this program has on each student,” Blodgett said. “I could only imagine what a big impact this donation would have.”