On 19 August 2010, as a part of its social contribution activities, Primo Japan Inc worked with the NPO Bridge for Smile to hold “Work Experience,” a career experience program for students living in children’s homes.

 

Work Experience is a program that gives middle and high school students who are facing important choices about their futures an opportunity to hear directly from working adults, and experience their actual jobs for themselves. We had 11 middle school and high school students, along with two staff, participated in the program on the day. Participants attended a lecture on etiquette and ways of communication, and then them experienced what it was like to work in our company selling wedding rings. 

 

Our CSR and other social contribution activities are conducted under the “PRIMO RING PROJECT” name, and involve a wide variety of activities. The name comes from the idea that the hopes and wishes of our customers, suppliers, employees, members of the local communities and those who come into contact with our company form a huge “ring” of sorts, and from our desire to take the smiles of all these people who are sharing their happiness, to create as large a ring as possible.

Our social contribution activities are being particularly driven by a cross-company project team, centered around eight employees who volunteered from across the country to work together as a cross-departmental project team. This Work Experience was realized thanks to the suggestion of this the project team. 

NPO Organization Bridge for Smile

 

Bridge for Smile is an organization that works primarily in the Kanto region to support children as they leave children’s homes and set out in society. Children unable to stay with their parents for a variety of family reasons live in these children’s homes, but once they turn 18, they must leave the facilities and begin living on their own. The NPO conducts programs to help middle and high school students facing eventual departure prepare for independent living, sees to their mental health once they leave, and provides housing assistance. The organization offers consistent support from middle school age and beyond, even after the children are on their own. This support is manifest in the courage the children develop as they tell themselves, “Through our own efforts and with the support of those around us, we can overcome any handicap. If we fail, all we need to do is try again.”