Associated Food Stores (AFS) gathered with several community and employer partners to be honored by People Helping People (PHP) for collaborative efforts to support women along the Wasatch Front. In the Community and Employer Partner Legacy Awards Program, AFS was recognized as an honorable mention ‘Employer Friend;’ an organization that makes a difference by helping women build better futures for themselves and their children through successful employment.

As a long-term partner of PHP, AFS’s Talent Acquisition Team, led by Jane Hill, shares employment opportunities, participates in job fairs, and hosts employer ‘meet and greet’ sessions to highlight the benefits of working for AFS, as well as job application and hiring best practices. This effort highlights AFS’s dedication to sourcing diverse talent while working to empower individuals from all social classes, particularly low-income women, and single mothers. “The impact that PHP makes in the lives of women, children, and communities is inspiring. We are honored to support their cause and appreciate the partnership AFS has with this outstanding organization,” Jane said.

At PHP, they believe that when moms do better, kids do better; when kids do better, communities do better; and when communities do better, we all do better. This result is achieved through personalized coaching, mentoring, and employment workshops. In 2023, over 1,200 women worked to advance through PHP’s four-phase program to become successfully employed and self-sufficient.

Jen Howard, AFS Human Resources Generalist stated, “It was so inspiring to be seated in an auditorium filled with people committed to making a difference and to be inspired by the women that have worked so hard and exhibited so much courage and strength to better their lives for themselves and for their families. It was powerful!”

The mission of PHP closely aligns with one of AFS’s core values, that of having heart. Both organizations strive for empathy, compassion, and the desire for the success of others. As AFS and other organizations work together, a ripple effect of positive change is created within communities. Successful employment not only benefits the women directly but also translates into broader societal advantages and opportunities for future generations.

Through strategic collaboration with PHP, AFS demonstrates heart and reaffirms its dedication to creating opportunities for individuals and contributing to a more equitable and prosperous society.

For more information about PHP visit their website by clicking here.