Impact that Matters

   One of Trusted World’s largest network partners is helping tens of thousands of people get their life back on track. “Here at the Bridge, we are an emergency shelter that offers day services to our guests,” says Katerah Jefferson, the Bridge Community Engagement Manager. She’s experienced that impact firsthand, saying, “Our relationship with Trusted World is very important because, without it, we wouldn’t be able to clothe our guests. We don’t have the resources or the capacity to store large amounts of clothing. But with Trusted World, they are actually able to get their size. They are actually able to say I need jeans, I need a blue shirt for work, and you guys are able to pull through and provide that for us.”

   By providing quality size-specific clothing orders to network partners like the Bridge, Trusted World eliminates the need for on-site clothing closets and helps their partner’s clients feel more comfortable and confident.” Jefferson says, “All the bags are exciting to receive because it’s like they’ve gone shopping, and they’re getting a new fresh pair of clothing. We want to be able to provide our guests with nice things to make them feel better about themselves, and we are able to do that with Trusted World.”

  In the past year and a half, Trusted World has provided nearly half a million dollars of resources to the Bridge, helping 34 hundred people, and Jefferson says behind those numbers are real people whose lives are changed for the better. 

Value of Volunteering 

    More than 12 thousand volunteers came to Trusted World last year. The vast majority describe the experience as uplifting, rewarding and plan to return. In learning Trusted World’s sorting methodology, many found a deeper connection between their company and the community.              

   Grant Thornton volunteer Thomas Cheng says, “Nice to see my impact to the community and see where it’s going and what’s coming in and how it’s impacting. Just seeing how much I’m doing, every time I’m here, I definitely feel it.”

   In 2022, volunteers helped turn clothing donations into quality resources valuing more than 2.4 million dollars, helping nearly 30 thousand North Texans.

   Grant ThorntonGriselda Gayton says, “It’s just impactful. It’s a very sophisticated system. It’s nice to make a small contribution, and it makes such a big difference.” Volunteers find value in the Clothes sorting process, inspecting each item as many as four times before putting it into the distribution pipeline. A pipeline of quality resources that supports more than 800 North Texas partners. 

   Triple A volunteer Michelle Linwood says, “I care about people, and to work for a company that does the same is just amazing. This is part of our team building just to kind of get together and do something fun and obviously do something for the community, so this is a win-win.”

Liaison volunteer Doug Smith says, “I wanted to be a part of an organization that cared enough about the employees and the community that they live in, that they work in, that they are part of, and it makes me feel like a part of a family. Liaison is family.” And, like family, the volunteers ensure all the clothes are in good condition; no rips, stains, tears, missing buttons, or broken zippers.

    “I love working for a company that values going out and making a difference,” says Grant Thornton volunteer Kailli Scholle, “Getting paid to go out and do something is important to me and is something that I look for in a job.” The volunteer experience leaves many with a heightened sense of satisfaction with their company. 

   “I love the fact that they pay us to volunteer,” says State Farm volunteer Tracy Gizzy Brubaker, showing her shirt. “I’ve got my volunteer shirt on because it’s important to us to give back to the communities where we work and where we live, and it’s important for us we help people prepare for the unexpected.”

   Texas Instruments volunteer Brian Swinney says, “TI has always been community-oriented. I mean, it’s awesome to see some of the things they support and encourage us to help with and do. They’ve always been involved in the community, so it’s a great company to work for.”

   These volunteers have backgrounds ranging from accounting to insurance, technology, and logistics, but one thing these individuals and corporations all seem to have in common is they love “Helping people help people.” 

Make a Difference

    If you’d like to help make a difference, go to TrustedWorld.org, click on volunteer experiences, and sign up. If you’d like to explore other ways to help, you can go to the same website, and under the ways to give link, click on needs to find the items the Network most needs. For clothing donations, one of our key sponsors, the Credit Union of Texas, has donation dropoff bins in every one of their North Texas branches. Next to the bin is a banner with a QR code if you want to donate money.           

You’ll find a complete list of dropoff bin locations on the Trusted World website. 

   That’s a look at the headlines from around the Trusted World Network, where you can join us in helping people help people.