When people think about community impact, they often picture large fundraising campaigns or major donations. But sometimes, impact looks like a fresh coat of paint, a scrubbed kitchen or a group of volunteers spending a day helping create a more welcoming place for their neighbors.

That spirit was on display recently at Kenton Women’s Village, where employees from Deloitte spent the day tackling projects around the village as part of the company’s annual Impact Day. The visit marked Deloitte’s fourth consecutive year volunteering at the village.

From Volunteer to Board Member

For Connor Dwyer, an Audit Senior Manager at Deloitte and a member of Catholic Charities of Oregon’s Board of Directors, the partnership is both personal and meaningful.

Dwyer first connected with Catholic Charities nearly a decade ago through the Save First Financial Wellness program, where he volunteered as a financial coach. Over the years, that involvement grew into service on the organization’s Finance Committee and eventually its Board of Directors.

“I started with Catholic Charities maybe a little less than 10 years ago,” Dwyer said. “From there, I’ve stayed involved in different ways, and it’s been really rewarding to see the impact the organization has in the community.”

A Day Dedicated to Service

Deloitte is one of the world’s largest professional services organizations, employing hundreds of thousands of people globally. Each year, the company hosts an international Impact Day, giving employees the opportunity to step away from their desks and participate in community service projects that matter to them.

In Oregon alone, hundreds of Deloitte professionals participate annually, supporting a variety of local nonprofits and community organizations.

“People are excited to do things that are bigger than providing professional services,” Dwyer said. “Especially younger professionals. A lot of people start their careers wanting to make a difference and feel connected to their communities.”

This year, a team of Deloitte volunteers spent the day painting, cleaning and helping maintain shared spaces throughout Kenton Women’s Village. Projects included painting office spaces, deep cleaning and tackling general housekeeping tasks to help keep the village welcoming and well cared for.

In previous years, volunteers have completed landscaping projects, yard work and deep-cleaned the village’s community kitchen.

According to Kenton Women’s Village Program Coordinator Allison Pantano-Rumsey, Deloitte’s support has become a valued tradition.

“Deloitte came to the village for a day of service, and this is their fourth annual visit,” Pantano-Rumsey said. “I asked them to paint the exterior of my office, paint the interior of the new office and help with some small cleaning tasks around the village. Deloitte has been a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to seeing them again next year.”

Investing in Community

While Impact Day is Deloitte’s largest annual volunteer effort, community engagement doesn’t stop there. Employees also support local causes throughout the year, including family sponsorships during the holidays and participation in community drives and nonprofit events.

For many Deloitte employees, Catholic Charities’ mission resonates on both a personal and professional level.

“The mission speaks to a lot of the folks in our office,” Dwyer said. “People want opportunities to connect their personal values with something that has a real impact in the community.”

For the volunteers who spent the day at Kenton Women’s Village, the projects may have been simple. But their efforts helped create a cleaner, brighter and more welcoming space for women working toward stability and a permanent place to call home.

Catholic Charities of Oregon is grateful for Deloitte’s continued partnership and the many volunteers who choose to invest their time, talents and energy in service to others.