West Fraser Joins Girls Inc. Memphis for Grand Opening

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West Fraser team members joined in the celebrations as Girls Inc. of Memphis officially opened its new Patricia C. Howard Center in the Frayser neighbourhood with a ribbon cutting on October 21.

Named in tribute to Patricia C. Howard, a former President of Girls Inc. Memphis who led the chapter for 35 years, the Center comes equipped with a community event centre, activity rooms for the girls, a fully stocked kitchen, a greenhouse, a farm and a celebration lawn, and it will also serve as an administrative building.

West Fraser’s involvement in Girls Inc. of Memphis began four years ago and ranged from initial program investments to volunteering together at our community holiday food giveaway. In 2022, West Fraser provided all of the lumber and OSB to build the structure and finishing applications of the Frayser campus’ main building and outdoor meeting area.

Lisa Moore, Girls Inc. of Memphis President & CEO, worked directly with Patricia C. Howard during the initial planning stages for the building seven years ago and worked tirelessly to bring the Centre to fruition, “This building is fulfilling a promise to Frayser, to Memphis and to Patricia. This is where we can say ‘this is what’s best practice in youth development.’”
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"The partnership between West Fraser is a true example of what a non-profit and corporate partnership can look like. What I have to say to the other companies out there is, be like West Fraser.”
‍_{Lisa Moore, President & CEO, Girls Inc. of Memphis}

Sean McLaren, Chief Operating Officer, joined the other dignitaries on stage at the ribbon cutting. While delivering his remarks, Sean used the opportunity to congratulate Lisa and her local leadership team, in addition to sharing that a number of West Fraser’s Memphis employees attended the program as youths, crediting the program to their success at West Fraser today. Sean also announced additional funding from West Fraser.

“Last year we were proud to donate the wood products used in the building’s construction. And today we are pleased to provide the equivalent of $145,000 in funding and wood products for the interior of the building.

“When we come together, we can achieve amazing things, and partnerships like this are a great way to respond to the needs of Memphis while helping develop our future workforce.”
‍_{Sean McLaren, Chief Operating Officer}

Programs will start in the facility this week, and once operating, they'll be able to serve 120 young women in Frayser each day.

Building on West Fraser’s successful relationship with the Memphis affiliate, over the past year, West Fraser’s Huguley and Opelika mill teams have extended additional support to Girls Inc. and their Columbus/Phenix-Russel Chapter. As well, West Fraser’s Mansfield team has partnered with Girls Inc.’s Ft. Smith, Arkansas Chapter.