Giving Back Through a Local Skill-Building Initiative

It’s that time of year when colleges and universities are preparing for graduation. As Allied Universal provides on-campus and residential safety and protection for students and staff across the country, there is one graduation ceremony that has a very special connection to our company. We partnered with The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), a program operated by University City District (UCD) in Philadelphia and have been an active educational instructor and employer of their graduates.

Since 2010, WPSI has trained and graduated men and women living in the 2.4-sq. mile UCD neighborhood with new skills and the opportunity for new economic and social opportunities in a geographic area where one in every three people lives below the poverty level. The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is a win-win partnership that pairs companies like Allied Universal and the West Philadelphia Community to develop and hire individuals living in neighboring areas. 

We are extremely proud to participate in this outstanding and unique program of community human investment since it was created by the UCD seven years ago. Allied Universal personnel in Philadelphia volunteer their time and expertise to teach WPSI classes that bring their students new insights and understanding to the importance of the many facets of the security industry. Over the past six years, Allied Universal has hired 54 neighborhood graduates of the WPSI program. 

Graduation for the students will mean job opportunities with Allied Universal and other local entities that serve as community partners. They include the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Drexel University College of Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of the Sciences, and more. 

Training and mentoring our future industry leaders is one of the most rewarding aspects of our participation in the program. Nothing gives me greater pride than seeing WPSI graduates donning an Allied Universal uniform for the first time and seeing that gleam in their eyes that reflects their enthusiasm, satisfaction and commitment to their futures and the futures of their families.

Last year, I participated in the program’s video project chronicling a five-year retrospective. It also features program graduate and current Security Professional Nateesha Malcom. View the video here.

With our commitment to the WPSI, Allied Universal is extending its reach beyond the normal scope of business hours to partner with the community on professional and personal development and adult education training to change lives through personal pride and productive motivation. 

About the Author
Al Santosusso is Director of Operations in the Philadelphia Region for Allied Universal where he oversees all service deliverables and operations for clients University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Temple University and the University of the Sciences. He began his career in the security industry 30 years ago as a Security Officer with Allied Universal.