By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
Hoffman Car Wash has taken its commitment to giving back to its community to a very practical level.
The family-owned and operated business has been serving the Albany, N.Y., area for close to 60 years and currently features 28 locations and is known for its successful “Practice Kindness” initiatives.
Hoffman recently partnered with Vanderheyden, located in Wynantskill, N.Y., which began as the Troy Orphan Asylum in 1833 and has been providing services for more than 190 years.
Its facilities offer a safe haven for youth, adults and families who have experienced family disruption, trauma, abuse, emotional difficulty, developmental disability and learning problems.
Part of Vanderheyden’s mission is to prepare individuals for a life of independence and security, which comes in part by helping to provide supportive employment services and opportunities.
Recently, Vanderheyden students had the opportunity to train at the Latham, N.Y., location of Hoffman Car Wash. In addition, Hoffman helped retrofit a garage at Vanderheyden’s career center with all the necessary equipment to provide car washes and conduct car detailing.
“As part of our commitment to promote kindness and good will in the communities we serve, we are proud to support Vanderheyden’s vocational programming,” said Hoffman president Ron Slone.
“It also provides an expanded work force for our business now and in the future.”
The training at the career center will provide hands-on experience and a possible opportunity for participants to potentially become a Hoffman employee.
The Vanderheyden Career Center Supportive Employment Project was designed to build and maintain supportive employment services for students attending its school.
These services include the provision of mentorships, field experiences and the creation of specific curricula designed to assist in the challenges faced by individuals impacted by specific behavioral and mental health challenges as well as disabilities.
“We are thrilled and excited to collaborate with such an outstanding company as Hoffman Car Wash, a company that shares the vision of making a positive impact in the community and addresses a pressing social issue as kindness,” said Karen Carpenter, president & CEO of Vanderheyden.
“Together, we are confident that this partnership will bring about meaningful opportunities for our individuals to obtain skills to be successful at a job in our community.”
