Day One allows employees to use their skills, time, or resources for projects that serve the public good. Specifically, companies join the platform and give their employees the opportunity to participate in solidarity actions during or outside of work hours. The missions offered are varied: mentoring, administrative assistance, training, community gardening, food distribution, or strategic support for associations.
During periods of lower activity, some organizations can also temporarily make their experts available to the non-profit sector to meet specific needs. “We have developers working on projects related to medical research, engineers participating in the construction of community housing, and industry experts supporting associations in their transformation. The idea is always the same: to put skills where they are most needed.,” explains Élise Thibault-Gondré.
For employees, the experience often represents an opportunity to develop new skills while finding meaning in their professional activities. According to data collected by Day One, 94% of participants report having acquired new know-how through their engagement.
The impact is also tangible for companies. Engagement programs foster team cohesion, strengthen the sense of belonging, and contribute to improving well-being at work. “More than 70% of employees tell us they feel prouder of their company and more inclined to stay after participating in a solidarity action.”
Associations, for their part, benefit from free human resources, expertise that can sometimes be difficult to finance, and, in some cases, additional material or financial support.
Since its inception, Day One has supported nearly 250 companies, mobilized over 40,000 volunteers, and supports more than 2,000 associations each year. In total, over 120,000 days of skills sponsorship have been completed, equivalent to several million euros in support provided to the non-profit sector.
“Our goal is to make skills sponsorship a reflex for both companies and employees. We are convinced that everyone has something to contribute and that engagement can become a natural component of professional life.,” concludes Élise Thibault-Gondré.
