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AccuSource Group Goes Mobile with the SoupMan:
Volunteer Service Brings Unexpected Awareness to Recruitment Firm Employees
04 April 2008
Dallas-based AccuSource Group employees took their community service to the streets recently, joining David Timothy (a.k.a. The Soup Man) and his SoupMobile rolling kitchen to serve lunch to homeless people in Deep Ellum. The group handed out hot dogs, chips, fruit and drinks to the crowd that gathers each day as the familiar “Rocky” theme song blares from the SpoupMobile van to herald its arrival. But what they got in return was an up-close glimpse of the real people who make up Dallas’ homeless population.
“It was not what I expected,” said Accusource Group career manager Elida Godbey. “There were young women, older men and teens from all races. They made jokes and seemed to really enjoy interacting with us. David said they can go an entire day without anyone making eye contact with them, so the SoupMobile lunch is an opportunity for socialization as well as a meal.”
It was a typical day for the SoupMobile, which serves 500 healthy meals a day, Monday through Friday. But as a stark contrast to the professional atmosphere of AccuSource Group, a recruiting firm that provides highly specialized talent to the healthcare technology industry as well as career development resources to its candidates, it was exactly the kind of day president Brian Whitehill had in mind -- and is making a tradition.
Whitehill, a 15-year recruiting veteran, is a big believer in work/life balance. On the first Friday of each quarter, “business as usual” is suspended for a day to learn and recharge. A morning meeting off-campus is dedicated to evaluating the firm’s long-term objectives; then the team turns its focus outward and spends the remainder of the day volunteering at a local non-profit agency.
The group has given its day of community service to the SoupMobile three times; has assisted Heart House, an after-school program for at-risk children; and worked with the American Red Cross to provide fresh water to Katrina victims.
“In our profession we serve the needs of people by managing their careers, but obviously we’re compensated. These community service days are selfless…they are our way of giving back, of connecting with our community and keeping our perspective.”
Elida Godbey agrees.
“I learned so much from this experience,” she says. “Now when I see a homeless person, I wonder about their story…I hope they know about the SoupMobile. And I think twice before I look away.”
About AccuSource Group
AccuSource Group is a Dallas-based, national recruiting firm that sources and places talented professionals in the healthcare technology industry, providing career advice and coaching to its candidates while meeting the highly specialized staffing needs of its technology software and solutions clients. To learn more, visit www.accusourcegroup.com.
About SoupMobile
SoupMobile was started in 2003 by David Timothy (The SoupMan), whose vision was to start a soup kitchen where the homeless could come to eat. He quickly realized a mobile soup kitchen would be more effective, serving the homeless where they gather. The SoupMobile served more than 100,000 meals in 2007. The SoupMobile is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. To volunteer, donate or learn more, visit
www.soupmobile.org
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AccuSource Group Puts the Care in
Career: Our Team Returns to Heart House to Provide Inspiration and
Fun to At-Risk Kids
21 January 2008
Employees of Dallas-based AccuSource Group recently added another positive experience to their tradition of community service. The company, a recruiting firm that provides highly specialized talent to the healthcare technology industry as well as career development resources to its candidates, takes one day a quarter to help a non-profit organization.
In December, the AccuSource team returned to Heart House, a free after-school program that serves some 80 low-income, at-risk children in the Vickery Meadow neighborhood of Dallas, one of the most dangerous and crime-ridden areas of the Metroplex. But instead of painting bathrooms with brushes and rollers, as they had last summer, they worked with the kids to paint mental images of bright futures by explaining what it means to have a career.
“Most of the kids knew what a job is,” said Brian Whitehill, president of AccuSource. “They talked about staying off the streets and in school, not doing drugs, and working a job to pay rent. We wanted to show them even further possibilities.”
The group used interactive games to make the concept understandable to 30 third graders, clapping in rhythm and shouting out the names of various careers. They role-played with the kids to demonstrate the importance of eye contact and a firm handshake. They fielded questions about education and how it contributes to a better quality of life and explained the differences between working at a job and building a career.
Each child received an AccuSource Group Career Day Certificate of Completion, and then the whole group boarded a bus and went to a nearby ice rink to play broomball.
The day of community service is a quarterly event for the employees at AccuSource Group. “Business as usual” is suspended for a day to learn and recharge. A morning meeting off-campus is dedicated to evaluating the firm’s long-term objectives; then the team turns its focus outward and spends the day volunteering – once at a mobile soup kitchen, another time working with the American Red Cross to provide fresh water to Katrina victims.
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High Touch Teamwork:
AccuSource Group Paints Bathrooms at Heart House
19 July 2007
Quarterly Volunteer Efforts Have Personal and Business Value for
Recruitment Firm
They spend their days
recruiting talented job candidates for the top
companies in healthcare technology.
But once a quarter, the employees of
Dallas-based AccuSource Group leave the office to
serve a very different type of client, going into
the community to help a non-profit organization or
worthy cause. Their
most recent effort was, indeed, hands-on.
Taking paint brushes in hand,
Brian Whitehill, Doug McClure and Chris Williams
spruced up the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms at
Heart House, a free after-school program for
low-income, at-risk children. After a
half-day, they emerged with more than paint spatters
to show for the experience.
“It’s eye-opening,” said
Whitehill, president of AccuSource Group, a
three-year-old recruiting firm that provides highly
specialized talent to healthcare technology
companies.
“At Heart House, fresh paint is a big
deal. Something
as common to us as clean, freshly painted bathrooms
helps foster an environment of safety, respect and
responsibility.”
In
between brushstrokes, the group learned more about
Heart House, which serves some 80 children daily at
its two locations in the Vickery Meadow neighborhood
of Dallas, one of the most dangerous and
crime-ridden areas of the Metroplex.
At Heart House, children in grades K-8 have a
safe haven afterschool where they get homework
assistance, mentoring, friendship and protection
from the dangers and negative influences they
encounter in their daily lives.
The Heart House project is not unusual for the
employees of AccuSource Group, who have volunteered
at a mobile soup kitchen and worked with the
American Red Cross to provide fresh water to Katrina
victims.
On the first Friday of each quarter, “business as
usual” is suspended for a day to learn and
recharge. A morning meeting off campus is
dedicated to evaluating the firm’s long-term
objectives; then the team turns its focus outward
and spends the remainder of the day volunteering at
a local non-profit agency.
“The
purpose is two-fold,” says Whitehill.
“Unlike most recruiters who work as commissioned
individuals, our service is team-based – it’s
our defining advantage. Volunteering and
serving together builds morale, trust and
synergy…and that means we work better together, to
the benefit of our clients and candidates.”
The 15-year recruiting veteran is quick to point
out the other purpose: balance. “I’m
a big believer in balance. Sure we work hard,
but you have to give back, you have to have family
time, recreation time, you have to keep a
perspective.”
Recruiter Doug McClure enjoys community service
and says many people underestimate its value.
“We get caught up in our day-to-day tasks and
lose sight of why we were put on this earth – to
help and love others,” he said. “Usually
giving your time has the biggest impact.”
Meredith Lubenau, manager of volunteer services
at Heart House, agrees, and welcomed AccuSource
Group’s enthusiasm.
“They jumped in with a great attitude,” she
said. “Painting bathrooms is not glamorous
work, but a clean, safe, attractive facility is
important to our mission of helping kids learn and
develop good character.” |
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AccuSource Group
Aids SoupMobile in Feeding Homeless
2 February 2007
AccuSource Group recently spent the day at The
SoupMobile, a non-profit mobile soup kitchen that
serves meals to homeless people in the Dallas area.
ASG’s crew made sandwiches, bagged snacks, chips
and desserts and assisted in delivering the meals.
In addition, they were able to assist with clerical
work in the office. The entire ASG team agreed this
was truly a day well spent.
“I was amazed at the amount of preparation and
overall work that goes into something like this.
I expected to hand out some sandwiches and feel
good for helping feed people in need - but the Soupman
was right. What he does every day (rain or shine)
is not about feeding hungry people, it is really
about letting them know that someone cares. We were
able to bring smiles to the faces of people who
you might not think have much to smile about. This
will definitely not be the last time that I work
to help the Soupman."
-Kevin Wright
Recruiting Consultant
“While spending time with the Soupman, I had the
opportunity to see just what life really means,
and to get up close and personal with what being
without really means. It was a great experience,
I would do it again any day.”
-Chris Williams
Recruiting Consultant
For more information on the SoupMobile click
here. 
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Katrina's Force Exposes
Big Hearts from ASG's Crew
1 September 2005
From day
one, AccuSource Group has committed to provide a quarterly
cash donation to each of employees favorite charity.
The vote was unanimous for the Q4 beneficiary.
August 29th, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf
Coast of the United States. AccuSource Group responded
quickly with an immediate donation to the American
Red Cross. This is the Company's 3rd donation this
year to the Red Cross. Previous contributions were
to aid in the Tsunami relief in December '04.
Additionally, ASG's recruiting consultants extended
themselves to the needy.
Leslie Brewer and her family organized
a water donation drop-off that collected over 12,000
bottles of water within 72 hours. The Salvation Army
was unable to accommodate the massive amount of water,
even with a moving van. Our very own Brian
Whitehill filled his SUV and drove the remaining
1,000 bottles to the Salvation Army's Central Command
in Dallas.
Erich Shore and his family offered
assistance to one of his candidates. As one displaced
family found themselves traveling North through TX
in route to St. Louis to be with family, the Shore
family helped them on their difficult adventure. They
provided the family with $400 cash, food for the road,
and a Wal-Mart gift certificate to buy supplies for
the enduring trip.
The story doesn't stop there though. Erich also worked
with the 7th and 8th graders at his church to write
notes of hope, inspiration, and encouragement to the
displaced family.
For more information on how you can help, click
here.
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AccuSource Group Joins
Relief Organizations to Provide Help to the Tsunami
Victims
15 January 2005
AccuSource
Group is contributing to the relief efforts in the
Indian Ocean Countries. For more information
on how you can help, click
here.
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Pro Golfer Boosts Golf
and Recruiting Scores
22 November 2004
AccuSource
Group hires Doug McClure. Doug will be adding to the
recruiting capabilities of AccuSource Group. Doug
brings strong sales and relationship background to
AccuSource Group. His experience as an ex-pro golfer
may help to lower AccuSource Group's golfing scores.
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