The Johnson Group has long been committed to making a difference in our community. In our current environment, it is even more important that we celebrate the many ways that we are able to give back to our community and positively impact the lives of others. As a corporate citizen of Spartanburg, we want to ensure our community continues to grow and thrive as a great place for our team members to live, work, and raise their families.

Community Impact Fund

Two years ago, JDA, OTO, and ACA joined forces to create a collective community impact fund, called The Johnson Group Community Fund. Housed within the Spartanburg County Foundation, the fund was created with the purpose of making grants to deserving non-profits who are creating meaningful change within Spartanburg.

Since launching our community fund, we have granted over $1,000,000 to nearly 40 different organizations. These non-profits each focus on different community needs – predominantly education, arts, economic development, health, civic improvement, and overall community vitality.

Most recently, The Johnson Group Community Fund made a gift of $25,000 to United Way of the Piedmont’s United for All Fund to support individuals and families in our community who have been dramatically affected by COVID-19.

United Way

This year, because of the tremendous generosity of our team members, ACA, JDA, and OTO received four awards from the United Way of the Piedmont for our 2019-2020 campaigns.

• Employee Giving Award: This award is presented to companies with the highest percentage increase in employee giving. ACA won in the $150K-$200K category, while OTO won in the $25K-$50K level.
• Community Impact Award: This was awarded to both ACA and JDA for having the highest percentage of employees who gave to the Community Impact Fund.
• Campaign Coordinator Award: This was presented to Susan England, JDA, and Suzanne McClendon, OTO, for setting an example of outstanding leadership through their involvement in United Way activities.
• Outstanding Campaign Committee Award: ACA’s Marketing Team – Hannah Brevik, Sr. Marketing Manager; Melody Vega, Sr. Marketing Coordinator; Danielle Hunt, Marketing Coordinator; Morgan Deaville, Marketing Coordinator; and Kelsey Heath, Marketing Coordinator – received this award for a committee that demonstrated exceptional teamwork that resulted in increased employee per capita giving.

Additionally, during campaigns across The Johnson Group, all team members raised over $300,000 in our employee giving campaigns.

Without the partnership of team members from across The Johnson Group, these honors would not be possible. Congratulations all!

Habitat for Humanity Home Build

Spurred by enthusiastic requests from ACA associates, The Johnson Group formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg to sponsor the build of a home located at 500 North Forest Street in Spartanburg. After the ground-breaking ceremony in August, dozens of ACA associates went to work, contributing hundreds of hours through the fall and winter months to complete various projects from framing and flooring, to landscaping.

On May 21, 2020, Esther Vargas and Domingo Villegas celebrated the completion of their new home at a Home Dedication Ceremony.

Mentorship

In addition to giving of financial gifts within the community, we are so proud of the many ways that team members across The Johnson Group give of their time, energy and talents. Our team members serve on countless boards and volunteer with a wide variety of non-profits.

Many of our team members have taken on the role of mentor to students at Meeting Street Academy. Meeting Street Academy (MSA), a public school of innovation located in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, serves students who live in the Highland neighborhood. Despite the vast economic challenges that these students face on a daily basis, they are performing at the top level of academics within the state of South Carolina. One thing has become clear – in addition to excellence in teaching, it is vital that these students have strong mentorship in their lives.

Of the 282 students who attend MSA, 45 of those students have mentors who meet with them once per week for 30 minutes. 16 of those mentors are from The Johnson Group, with representation from JDA, OTO, and ACA.

While MSA is currently closed in response to COVID-19, along with the other public schools in Spartanburg County, students and mentors look forward to reuniting in person as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Johnson Group encourages you to find fulfillment through volunteer and mentor opportunities within the community. If you are interested in mentoring with Meeting Street Academy when school is back in session, contact Kathy Dunleavy at kdunleavy@meetingstreetschools.org.

This is just one of many ways that our team members across The Johnson Group are volunteering and giving of their time and talents within their communities.  Thank you to all of our team members who give of themselves, now and always.

To find volunteer opportunities with non-profit organizations in your city, get in touch with your local United Way.