At Net Friends, we’re committed to promoting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We believe that a truly inclusive and equitable work environment allows us to tap into the diverse perspectives and experiences of our employees. This in turn leads to better decision-making, improved innovation, and increased success.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
We are proud to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 16th this year and in all future years. We will take this day to reflect on both the significant role of Dr. King in the American civil rights movement as well as his overarching message of equality and inclusivity. In observance of MLK Day, we will be operating with a significantly reduced workforce as we would on any company holiday. Our office will be closed on January 16th and we will only offer critical support and alert monitoring services.
We encourage all our customers to take this day to reflect on the impact Dr. King has had on our country and to consider how we can work towards creating a more inclusive and fair society. Whether you choose to do this in small ways, like taking some personal time to reflect on Dr. King’s advocacy for the marginalized or reacquainting yourself with his “I Have a Dream” speech, or if you feel compelled to give of your time or resources to an important local cause in your community, we invite you to join us in celebrating his legacy.
Our Volunteer Program
In addition to honoring Dr. King on this day, we are committed to ongoing efforts to promote DEI within our company and in the communities we serve. One of the most visible ways we can honor Dr. King’s legacy is to formally implement a volunteer program. This program will extend beyond just this holiday, and will continue throughout the year as we work with local non-profits to engage in community service and work alongside them to create a more just and equitable world.
This year, we will be volunteering with our fantastic partner and customer, the Emily K Center, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A team from Net Friends will be helping prepare supplies for their students and working at their spectacular facility in downtown Durham. We are looking forward to this event and future volunteer opportunities, as we know this creates more positive momentum than just giving back to the community that surrounds and supports us.
Volunteering gives a meaningful sense of purpose to every Net Friend that chooses to participate in these programs.
We have observed that it can provide a heightened sense of understanding and empathy towards our community and customers. Our staff develop a deeper sense of responsibility to help customers achieve their missions and goals, long after the volunteer day has come and gone.
As we move forward, here’s some inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that we should all remember. He stated at his Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech in 1964 (one month following his visit to Durham, North Carolina), “There is no deficit in human resources; the deficit is in human will.” He goes on to encourage people to fight indifference. We invite our Net Friends staff, customers, and local community to continue striving for deeper empathy, compassion, and justice every day, both by intention and action.
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