SOCIAL
INTRODUCTION
ESG OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY
ENVIRONMENTAL
GOVERNANCE
APPENDICES
56
2022 Employee Community Engagement Activities This year, our employees sought active community engagement through targeted events that improve environmental sustainability and community health and support women and youth in the community, such as:
Harlem Grown A non-profit organization that provides mentorship opportunities to youth in Harlem through hands-on education on urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition. This year, approximately 27 of our employees composted, weeded, and added mulch to the flower beds. They had an essential role in the gardening process.
The Lower Eastside Girls Club A non-profit organization that supports young women and gender expansive youth of color throughout NYC toward healthy and successful futures through free, innovative year-round programming and mentoring. Our sustainability team partnered with Stacks & Joules to lead a STEM curriculum for students to learn about building systems, energy efficiency, and how to decarbonize the Lower Eastside Girls Club building.
The Billion Oyster Project A non-profit organization focused on volunteer efforts and education in biodiversity restoration of the degraded New York Harbor. This year, 45 volunteers cleaned oyster shells and created decorative shell garlands for a fundraiser event. These shells were then repurposed as reefs for oyster population growth.
New York Public Schools P.S. 281’s student-led Green Team visited the Empire State Building and learned about its sustainable practices. ESRT’s sustainability team shared best practices with the 4 th and 5 th grade students, specifically highlighting what inspired them to enter this field, the reasons behind improving the lighting system, and the goals for lowering emissions citywide. This experience inspired the Green Team to consider small ways that they can reduce energy and encourage others to do the same, especially as they strive to improve energy use and recycling within their school community. St. Francis Pantry To assist with meal donations, we partnered with St. Francis Pantry, and ESRT colleagues made 2,300 sandwiches in our breakroom. ESRT additionally donated $1.25 per sandwich made, a total of $3,850 to those in need.
Bottomless Closet The Bottomless Closet experience empowers women to feel confident and prepared to tackle interviews, start new jobs, and begin their journeys to self-sufficiency. ESRT donated $2,500 to assist in the resume and interview preparation programs as well as over a closet’s worth of clothing, shoes, bags, and purses.
NYC Parks Employees have volunteered through NYC Park Partnerships to assist with community clean-ups in areas such as St. Nicholas Park, Coleman Playground, and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. This year, 25 volunteers helped beautify the Jacob H. Schiff Playground, which included repainting, weeding, and raking. Located in Harlem, this playground is one of the largest playgrounds in Manhattan and offers a variety of children’s athletic activities.
Blood Drives Annually, we partner with the New York Blood Center to host an on-site blood drive event for employees who can donate. Over 36 of our employees gave blood this year, saving at least 66 lives!
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST: 2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
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