SOMAR – OUR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM

Seven years ago the Mariaca team decided to expand its existing social responsibility programs by providing pro-bono career services to less-favored young persons, including those with disabilities. By adapting methodologies and experience gained in supplying corporate Recruiting and Career Transition services, Mariaca also developed its ability to assist deserving young persons to enter the job market and grow professionally, thereby contributing to a better, more just society.

This was the start of Mariaca's Somar Project, in support of leading organizations like GRAAC (youngsters treated for Cancer), Projeto Chance, Escola da Comunidade and Obra do Berço. We have trained more than 600 deserving persons, between ages of 15 and 25, in making their careers grow. Somar programs are entirely planned and implemented by volunteers and our work is systematically evaluated by the Management Committee of Mariaca.

The objective of Somar programs is to help improve the assimilation of deserving young persons in the job market, with professional guidance and orientation by Mariaca. Persons assisted learn more about their own personal and technical skills, which are then matched with present and future careers and career growth perspectives. About 65% of the young people who have participated in the program are now active in labor market, working in large, medium and small-sized companies, experiencing professional and personal growth.

The content of Somar programs was entirely developed by Mariaca, by adapting the methodologies developed by our firm during the past 18 years, including those of our “Global Partner” Lee Hecht Harrison. This involves learning more about global and local job-market trends and skills needs, including the technical orientation for developing networks and resumes, responding to newspaper ads, contacting labor agencies, registering in career websites and being interviewed successfully.

As an extension to the Somar program, Mariaca presents all resumes of these trained youngsters to the leading corporate employers with whom Mariaca has a business relationship.

Currently 60% of Mariaca's employees participate as volunteers, rendering workshops, giving administrative and operational support, while also learning more about the program's growth and development.

Mariaca's Somar program is currently implementing new tools to monitor each young person's future career path, with periodic career checks to measure evolution after the job placement Career Maintenance workshops are also provided, with a scheduled agenda to enhance future placements whenever necessary.