United Way of Greater Toledo and SSOE Group Announce Increased Community Partnership Through Shared Downtown Toledo Office Space
United Way and SSOE Joint Press Conference to take place December 15, 2021 at 9:30 AM
TOLEDO, Ohio, December 9, 2021 – SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), a global project delivery firm for architecture, engineering, and construction management, is pleased to announce that United Way of Greater Toledo will be relocating their Lucas County operations into SSOE’s world headquarters. This move, official on December 14, 2021, bolsters SSOE’s commitment to the United Way and further cements Uptown Toledo as a unique hub for integrating private industry, STEM, and community outreach programs. To commemorate this exciting partnership, SSOE and United Way will hold a joint press conference at 9:30 AM on December 15th with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and dedication of the plaza at their Madison Avenue building, which will be named the “Live United at SSOE Plaza.”
SSOE and its employees have been strong supporters of the United Way for decades, dating back to Founder Al Samborn’s involvement with the organization in the early 1980s. SSOE recently announced it would be moving to a hybrid plan to allow employees to work both in the office and from home. When SSOE learned of United Way’s search for new office space, they saw an opportunity to support this need using under-utilized space in their headquarters. SSOE is donating 50% of the lease proceeds back to United Way, which will result in contribution dollars going even further in helping individuals in Lucas, Wood, and Ottawa Counties who are in need.
Commenting on the relocation, Wendy Pestrue, JD, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Toledo, stated, “I am so proud to continue United Way of Greater Toledo’s presence in Downtown Toledo, an objective we held when starting this process. Since 1918, United Way has occupied four office spaces, all in Downtown—the heart of our city. We are so happy to call SSOE our fifth location.”
Vince DiPofi, PE, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SSOE, and a United Way of Greater Toledo Board Director, stated, “SSOE’s vision is designing and building the future for our clients, colleagues, and communities. As we continue to look for ways to live out this vision, I am pleased to welcome our long-standing community partner into our building. I’m excited for the unique opportunity this move provides both organizations—a private / philanthropic partnership in our community—working together to further strengthen Downtown Toledo and the UpTown District. We believe that this partnership builds on progress already underway in the district and will be a model for other nonprofits to consider and benefit from.”
On Wednesday, December 15th, SSOE and United Way will hold an event at the firm’s world headquarters at 1001 Madison Avenue in Toledo immediately following a 9:30 AM joint press conference. A number of United Way’s community partners will be invited to the press conference where United Way of Greater Toledo Board Chair Jill Kegler—along with DiPofi and Pestrue—will speak on the partnership and provide additional details. To commemorate the partnership, SSOE will dedicate their plaza in front of the building, which will be named the “Live United at SSOE Plaza.” This space will serve as a common area for future community events that SSOE and the United Way of Greater Toledo will host together.
About United Way of Greater Toledo
United Way of Greater Toledo proudly serves the residents of Lucas, Ottawa, and Wood Counties in Northwest Ohio. This human services nonprofit fights to strengthen education, financial stability, health, and housing resources for every child, adult, and family. By uniting the caring power of people through giving, advocating, and volunteering, United Way believes we can tackle our community’s toughest issues.