COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
LOWE’S GROVE AND FIDELITY INVESTMENTS PARTNERSHIP
YIELDS DIVIDENDS or more than a decade, Fidelity Investments has partnered with Lowe’s Grove to support teaching and learning. The longstanding partnership has yielded exemplary results, strengthening the relationship between public and corporate entities. Lowe’s Grove Principal Jessica Austin has served as the school’s lead learner for two years, and considers the partnership “a blessing. When I came in, they reached out to me.” Every year, Fidelity agrees to work on a large project. They’ve helped to restore the school’s indoor garden, created a Zen garden, helped build outdoor learning areas, painted murals, and supported the 8th grade dance. Fidelity employees have also taught six-week-long grade level financial literacy classes, and hosted students at the Fidelity campus to engage in financial literacy activities. When teaching staff numbers were low as schools reopened after the pandemic, they filled in the gap with their financial literacy classes. They even created teacher wellness boxes after staff returned. But the pandemic didn’t limit their accessibility, said Austin. They made themselves available, creating posters with quotes and positive affirmations. “They have really partnered with us, not necessarily with finances, but people-rich assistance. They ask us what we
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need and they send volunteers,” said Austin. It’s a simple formula, she says. Jade Manley, community relations manager with Fidelity, says volunteerism is part of the organization’s culture. “We value supporting the financial health of communities by creating access and opportunities for underserved students that encourage saving for the future, investing, and building generational wealth. We do this because we believe in a future where everyone is empowered to shape their financial futures and improve their lives.” Manley added, “Through Fidelity Cares, we create opportunities for associates to volunteer in communities where Fidelity has a presence. In North Carolina, we partner with nonprofits like Activate Good to assist in transformation days at Lowe’s Grove Middle School. These are large-scale projects like building the Zen garden to assist those experiencing food insecurity. Also, partnering with Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina to help deliver relevant programming to help plant the seeds for planning for a secure financial future.” Fidelity has been known to send 125-130 volunteers to the campus for beautification projects; hallway paint spruce-ups (“Sometimes a coat of paint will make you a feel a little bit better about the environment,” said Austin.); and other projects like planter restoration, weeding and mulching, painting benches, installing new benches, and even leaving the school with the gardening tools brought to do the work. Most of the murals in the schools have been painted by Fidelity volunteers.