As one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) provides millions of people around the world with education, clean water, nutrition treatment, and protection from violence. In its 88-year history, the IRC has done more to alleviate human suffering than just about any organization on the planet.
So when it came time for the IRC to renovate their corporate headquarters in Manhattan, they did so in a way that lived up to their values. Through a partnership with Green Standards, they were able to donate their surplus furniture and equipment to local non-profits. The IRC delivers life-saving aid in more than 40 countries around the world, and in this project they were able to improve livelihoods in their own backyard.
Helping Others in Need With Donated Furniture
“Essential to the IRC’s long-term strategy is our commitment to sustainability, and mitigating our impact on the environment was thus a high priority in planning the renovation,” said Billy Lechert, IRC’s Senior Manager, Facility Development & Project Management. “Green Standards helps make that possible by providing the means and resources for the IRC to donate, reuse, and recycle as much furniture as possible, enabling our organization to grow while keeping our commitment to sustainability and the environment.”
One of the beneficiaries of the IRC’s move was Twenty Thirty Dream Hub, a nonprofit coworking space and empowerment hub in Queens, New York, devoted to helping young, diverse entrepreneurs launch their dreams. With a full truckload of office equipment, the Dream Hub was able to furnish workspaces for new and aspiring business owners.
Social Impact
“In the midst of the craziness that was 2020, we received a huge donation of furniture. And when we say huge, we mean 2 moving trucks, y’all,” said Lucy Samuels, Dream Hub’s coordinator.
Thanks to Green Standards, our community of current and aspiring entrepreneurs will have comfortable task chairs, sit-stand desks, and more once we finish the first phase of our renovation. And thank you to the International Rescue Committee, the original owners of this furniture.
Lucy Samuels, Dream Hub
The International Rescue Committee works on a massive scale every day, raising millions of dollars to improve millions of lives. Compared to that, their headquarters move was a relatively small, internal operation. By working with Green Standards and at the same price point as a traditional move, the IRC was able to live their values, keep high-quality equipment out of landfill, and help smaller non-profits in the local community benefit from their commitment to sustainability.
About
About The Dream Hub
The Dream Hub exists to empower and cultivate a community of aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, and other professionals. They provide space, support, empowerment, and resources to the multi-ethnic borough of Queens, New York, and beyond. Their dream is to create a nonprofit coworking space in the multi-ethnic community of Downtown Jamaica in Queens, New York City. As an antidote to developers leveraging our community’s untapped potential, we took a grassroots approach to building an entrepreneurial community, holding brunches, workshops, game nights to empower the community.
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About International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. In more than 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities, our dedicated teams provide clean water, shelter, health care, education and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people.
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About Green Standards
Capturing Value In Workplace Change
Green Standards has spent the last decade developing rigorous practices and global networks that deliver optimal value from workplace decommissioning. Our enterprise program measures and maximizes ESG performance while virtually eliminating landfill waste. A partner to the world’s largest organizations, Green Standards enables the efficient and ethical redistribution of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) during times of workplace change.
Media Contact: Marc Borins, 1-855-632-8036
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