Habitat for Humanity

Digging in to give back to the community. Envision IT will help build a home with Habitat for Humanity in their “Home is where the Start is” campaign. Leading up to the build efforts Envision joined the ground breaking event, Tuesday April 19th, in the division where the new houses will be located. Several speakers inspired the crowd talking to the success of past events and the important value these builds bring to the community. Two of the future homeowners were there and shared a heartfelt thank you to all involved.

Alec Brown, Envision IT PSO Director, returned to Envision HQ with contagious enthusiasm, “Meeting the families and seeing their excitement about owning a home makes me wish that we could start tomorrow!” Unfortunately though, Alec will have to wait until mid-July when the Envision IT parking lot will become the construction zone. At that time Envision IT will be joined by office neighbors, family, and friends all donating their time and energy to the raise the walls for our community families. Stay tuned for a follow up post with pictures and details of the journey!

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County is part of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity builds with people in need regardless of race or religion and they welcome all volunteers and supporters.

Toys For Tots

Envision IT is focused on giving throughout the year, yet joins the rest of the world with extra efforts during the holiday season. Again this year, Envision IT employees, clients, and business partners have rallied to support the local area Toys for Tots program.

The U.S. Marine Corps heads up the program nationally and Dane County Marines execute it locally. Their objective is to help less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas; play an active role in the positive development of our children; unite communities in giving; and ultimately contribute to better communities in the future. These priorities align well with Envision IT’s everyday activities.

Over its life span, the Marine Toys for Tots program distributed over 469 million toys to over 216 million less fortunate children. And this year, Envision IT contributed a record number of donations for local children in need.

Envision IT would like to thank one of their own, Dan Moyer, for his dedication and service training for the National Guard. Envision IT also thanks Sergeant Zachary Ratzlaff for his efforts coordinating the Dane Country campaign. For more info on the local Toys for Tots program please see: toysfortots.org

Envision IT Blood Drive

As Envision IT rapidly grows, we have committed ourselves to a continued effort to making the communities we touch a better place. “We like to think of ourselves as consultants with a conscience” says Nancy Pautsch, President at Envision IT.

Envision hosts regular blood drives (typically each calendar quarter) in partnership with the American Red Cross of Madison. The American Red Cross is the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the United States, collecting and processing approximately 40 percent of the blood supply and distributing it to about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Envision extends invitations to employees, clients, and the local community to participate in each blood donation event and are proud to announce extremely successful turnouts. With the amount of blood donated at each event, Envision contributions have the potential to help save over 75 lives, all in local hospitals. “This is a great example of EIT (Envision IT) living our values by supporting our community!” said Beau Smithback, CEO of Envision IT.

Envision would like to extend a special thank you to all of the men and women of the Madison community that came out to support this cause and the wonderful team at the Red Cross for their partnership.

To learn more about the American Red Cross and find out how you can get involved in an event, please visit www.redcross.org

Veterans Luncheon

With the Envision IT family spread across Wisconsin and the Midwest, the team is intertwined with different communities. As Envision's reach grows, it's our goal to raise awareness and advocate for different groups that positively impact our communities. Recently, Envision partnered with The Guest House of Milwaukee, a men's shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness, including people living with mental illness, struggling with addiction and U.S. Military Veterans. The Guest House implements a unique approach, working one-on-one with guests to create a personalized plan to overcome homelessness.

As May 11th marks the half-year anniversary of Veteran's Day, Envision wanted to provide a special "thank you" for The Guest House staff and Veterans, hosting them to a lunch at McCormick and Schmick's in Milwaukee. "Through our relationship with Amy Rowell (The Guest House Events & Outreach Manager), we understand the impactful role The Guest House plays in assisting Veterans and other homeless Milwaukeeans," explains Dan Moyer, Client Advocate at Envision IT. "Our lunch is a small token of appreciation for the Veterans and their service, as well as to the Guest House team and their dedication to our service-members," Moyer says. In addition to being a Client Advocate, Moyer will be taking a Leave of Absence from Envision to complete Basic Training and Advanced Training as he becomes a member of our National Guard.

On behalf of Envision IT, we thank our Veterans and The Guest House for their service and community efforts and wish Dan the best of luck in his journey ahead.

For more information about the The Guest House of Milwaukee, visit their website www.guesthouseofmilwaukee.org

Youth Apprenticeship for IT

As technology integration sweeps through every industry, we are reminded of the impact that it plays on every facet of an organization.  From operations and sales to marketing and human resources, IT has become a pivotal role in the foundation of a business.  But what about the innovation of the business - the driving force?  Gartner says "by 2020 … we will be in a world where systems of record, systems of differentiation and systems of innovation are enabling IT" (Gartner, 2013). So how do we prepare the next generation of IT leaders to be innovators?

Envision IT recently partnered with Herzing University and Dane County School Consortium (DCSC) for the Candidates’ Round Table Interview Forum, and apprenticeship program focused on growing youth interest in information technology and connecting young people to progressive companies.  "As professionals in the IT industry, we see the power of technology and believe in passing that energy and knowledge on to others," explains Alec Brown, Director of the Professional Services Organization at Envision IT.

In partnering with the consortium and supporting the Youth Apprenticeship for IT, Envision provides mock interviews and technology career guidance as students prepare for their apprenticeship program at local companies.  "We're so proud and energized by the students we interact with as their passion for technology and creativity in its application invigorates us as we engage with the business community," Alec concludes.

For more information on the Dane County School Consortium’s IT Round Table or to become a mentor and advocate, please visit www.dcsc.org

Meals on Wheels

It’s more than a meal…it’s an act of kindness. Envision IT joins Home Health United with their Meals on Wheels program. And kindness is a verb to Envision IT.

Envision IT’s consultants, business development team, and leadership all volunteer to help deliver meals and provide safety checks for home-bound Madison residents. “This is a highlight of any week,” starts Brad Nelson, Account Manager with Envision, and continues, “all of the people on our route are gentle and appreciative. One recipient in particular consistently has a sparkle in her eye and gleeful smile every day – it’s an important reminder of what really matters.”

Home Health United – Meals On Wheels provides hot, nutritious, noontime meals 365 days per year to individuals in need living in Madison, Middleton, Monona and Sun Prairie. Health United’s Meals on Wheels program is accredited by the Meals on Wheels Association of America. This accreditation demonstrates HHU is “dedicated to providing quality nutrition services at the highest levels of organizational accountability. It demonstrates to families and caregivers, donors and funders that the program operates according to the highest standards for program safety, program quality and program efficiency.”

For more information on Home Health United’s Meals on Wheels visit: www.homehealthunited.org