Milan Relay Marathon – Sunday 2nd April 2017
CFR Executive Search Alliance’s Italy partner, Human Value HR Solutions, participated in the Milan Relay Marathon last Sunday on the same day as the Annual Marathon. The Relay Marathon is a unique event as Runners can only take part if they sign up via a Registered Charity. Human Value HR Solutions ran for its sponsored charity www.oklahoma.it as part of its efforts to help mainly migrant adolescent boys without families to integrate into society.
Laura Townsend-Green, Director of CFR Global Executive Search and Senior Associate at Human Value HR Solutions Italy, ran ¼ of the Milan Relay Marathon in a team of 4 with Eid, a 17 year-old boy from Egypt who migrated to Italy in the hope of being able to help his family back home.
Eid is one of 20 boys picked up off Milan’s streets and welcomed into the “Oklahoma” boys home. Oklahoma supports and educates teenage boys without families. This in order to integrate them into society and prepare them for jobs – their ticket to a future with hope.
The boys show great spirit and are kind, lively, enthusiastic and well-behaved. They are cared for by wonderful professionals and volunteers, indeed www.oklahoma.it won a merit award in 2016 from the City of Milan for outstanding community service. The Charity was co-founded by an American who associated the USA state of Oklahoma with a concept of space, tranquility and open-mindedness.
Given the continuing wave of migrants from Africa, the Middle East, parts of Asia and Eastern Europe, Human Value believes that we all need to get involved to help people rebuild their lives and add value to themselves and the societies they inhabit. We also agree with Oklahoma that diversity is an asset to be valued. Some boys speak English or French in addition to Italian and their national language and are a great resource for international companies.
17 year-old Eid did a great time – 7 kilometers in 32 minutes he proudly informed me and confirmed by the official chip timings. Mina – a former boy from the home who is also Egyptian and now working full time – did 12.7 kilometers in 1 hour 5 mins which was also good.
HumanValue, as part of its commitment to cultural diversity, is hoping to be able to introduce the boys for suitable roles – free of charge – to selected clients who can take advantage of the tax incentives and benefits the Italian government offers to companies who employ and train staff.
Please contact laura.green@cfr-group.com if your company is interested in taking part in our scheme and of course…come and run with us next year!
Laura Townsend-Green
Director, CFR Global Executive Search
Senior Associate, Human Value HR Solutions, Italy