An attitude of appreciation is woven into the fabric of our company, and we are constantly looking for opportunities to invest in our local community by giving of our time and resources.
Oregon State University Scholarship Endowment Fund: In support of developing the next generation of leaders, the Emerio Design Scholarship Endowment was established in 2014 to promote diversity and equity in the student body in alignment with Oregon State University’s enrollment goals through supporting female and/or other underserved student populations who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors, enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Civil Engineering Cooperative Program (CECOP): Emerio became a member of this program in 2016, providing on-the-job training for six months to highly qualified interns. Since program inception, Emerio has hosted 4 CECOP interns, with 3 becoming full time Emerio employees.
Volunteer Service: Supporting our communities is part of who we are. Through our Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program, eligible employees receive paid time to volunteer with qualified nonprofit organizations and community initiatives that are meaningful to them. Whether participating in company-sponsored events or causes they care about personally, our team is encouraged to make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.
Serve September: Each September, we build on our commitment to our communities through Serve September, our annual month of service. What began with a single volunteer project at Sunshine Pantry in 2016 has grown into one of our favorite company traditions. Throughout the month, our team participates in food drives, blood drives, park and trail cleanups, recycling events, assembling blessing bags, and other volunteer activities in partnership with organizations such as Neighborhood House, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Candlelighters for Children with Cancer, and the American Red Cross.
Local Outreach: What began as an initiative led by Emerio founder Neil Fernando and his family has grown into a company-wide tradition. Each fall, our team assembles hundreds of blessing bags filled with essential supplies for individuals experiencing homelessness and distributes them throughout the community to help those in need during the colder months.
Global Outreach: Emerio partners with several global outreach projects, including our annual outreach project with Africa New Life to provide Hope Visits to families in Rwanda, East Africa. Continued partnership includes sponsorship of children for their educational and medical needs, including daily provision of food.
Adopt-a-Park: Emerio started our Adopt-a-Park program in 2018, first partnering with the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District to care for the Moonshadow Woods Natural Area. Our current adopted park is Hyland Woods Natural Area. Four times a year, the Emerio team will visit the park to provide invasive species removal. We look forward to our role as stewards of this park by contributing to an improved ecosystem.
Home Builders Foundation-HomeAid Portland: Emerio’s Principal and Founder, Neil Fernando, is the proud Honorary Chair of the 2024 Home Building Foundation Gala, which seeks to help Portland’s homeless through housing and community outreach. For over 25 years, this non-profit has connected thousands of individuals to shelters, transitional housing, and more in their time of need. Neil partners with the HBF to extend that mission and bring more voices and resources to the cause. Learn more about the great work they do here.
As a YMCA Board of Trustees member for several years, Neil Fernando has been an integral part of leading their annual YLinks Business Leaders Golf for Good Tournament. The funds raised at this event provide financial assistance for local kids to be able to participate in Y programs. A special highlight of this tournament was in 2018 when keynote speaker and former Harlem Globe Trotter Pee Wee Harrison provided an inspiring story about the power of a messenger from his life and gave special recognition to Neil for his generosity in the community.