Marilyn Contreras-Pinegar and Shelly Hester cut felt shapes to be used in a language learning game for Afghan refugees in Salt Lake City on Monday. (Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com)
PROVO – Nu Skin employees took time off from their typical jobs Monday to put together educational kits and toys for refugees who came to Utah from Afghanistan – a group of 10 single mothers and 40 children.
The kits are part of Nu Skin’s efforts to provide items they believe refugees may need in their first two weeks in Utah. In addition, the company’s restaurant prepares microwave-safe Afghan meals, NuSkin donated $ 20,000 to the International Rescue Committee, and employees were given the opportunity to purchase items for the women and children from an Amazon shopping cart.
Shelly Hester, a senior scientist at Nu Skin, helped on the project as part of her engagement with the company’s Women Rising employee resource group. Hester cut out some felt stars to be used for a language learning activity where words in both the refugee’s native language and English are ironed onto the felt.
She said the toy would feel more personal to the kids as it is handmade and could help with language immersion. Hester said she believes the children will love to have hands-on activities because their own children would enjoy them.
“Supporting employees on projects like this makes them feel like they are making a difference in the world and doing good in their daily work,” said Hester.
Service projects like this one, she added, allow employees to connect with coworkers in other ways because they’re fun. The project also enabled her to interact with employees at other levels of the company.
Josh Wilson, who leads Nu Skin’s community outreach program, said different groups of employees wanted to bring their own skills and expertise to contribute to the project. The Women Rising group helps with putting together kits and learning activities; another group of employees makes toys; some employees donated money or bought supplies for the refugees; and the chefs at Nu Skin’s in-house restaurant have volunteered to research and develop new recipes to deliver a familiar meal.
The company is trying to provide items it believes the refugee group may need in the two weeks while they wait for permanent shelter. The company partnered with the International Rescue Committee and Stitching Hearts International to develop its project after employees expressed an interest in helping Afghan refugees coming to Utah.
“We really want to help them make a soft landing when they are out of their home and in a brand new place, and we want them to feel welcome and safe,” said Ruth Todd, Nu Skin’s senior reputation officer. She said this is just one of Nu Skin’s many humanitarian efforts being run by employees.
“The people on campus know that things happen all the time to help and just be a force for good and empower other people to make their lives better, that’s just an important part of us,” said Todd.
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