From Voya Financial
Autauga County Schools
Voya Unsung Heroes program has awarded more than $6 million to help U.S. educators turn creative teaching ideas into reality for the last 28 years.
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 — Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), a leading provider of retirement plans for educators, announced today that Devin Driver, an instructor at Autauga County Technology Center in Prattville, has received a $2,000 grant as part of the company’s 2024 Unsung Heroes <https://www.voya.com/page/voya-unsung-heroesr> awards competition. Driver is one of two winners in the state of Alabama. The other winner is in Daphne.
For 28 years, the Voya Unsung Heroes program has awarded grants to K-12 educators in the United States to recognize and support their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects, and their ability to positively influence the children they teach. Since the program’s inception, Voya has awarded more than $6 million in support of educators through this nationwide program.
“Many of us have fond memories of the teachers, staff and administrators who encouraged, supported and inspired us. These individuals are the ‘best of the best’ and have made a meaningful difference in countless lives across our nation,” said Angela Harrell, Voya’s chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer and president, Voya Foundation. “For nearly 30 years, Voya’s Unsung Heroes has celebrated and financially supported the development of innovative thinking and creative teaching methods that helps prepare students academically and personally. These educators are truly our unsung heroes.”
Driver’s innovative teaching idea, “First Responder Initiative,” focuses on addressing the current shortage of first responders and lack of applicants for local Fire and Emergency Management Services (EMS) positions in the Autauga County community. Through partnerships with local municipalities, businesses and associations, this initiative is designed to educate high school students about potential career pathways in the public safety sector and support recruiting efforts. Students participating in the all-inclusive program can explore first responder-related career paths in law enforcement, advanced life support, communications, and firefighting. Utilizing various learning methods, students will gain technical knowledge and practical experience for public safety-related skills required for firefighting and EMS jobs – inside the classroom and by shadowing first responders out in the community.
Selected from a group of applicants from across the United States, Driver is one of only 50 winning submissions to receive the $2,000 award to help fund and bring his program to life. In addition, he will now compete with other finalists for one of the top three prizes — an additional $5,000 for third place, $10,000 for second place or $25,000 for first place from Voya Financial.
To apply for the 2025 Voya Unsung Heroes grant or learn more about this year’s winning projects, as well as those from previous years, visit the Unsung Heroes website <http://www.unsungheroes.com/> .
Unsung Heroes is part of Voya Foundation’s signature program, Voya Teacher Voices <https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcorporate.voya.com%2Fteacher-voices&esheet=52193003&newsitemid=20200323005489&lan=en-US&anchor=Voya+Teacher+Voices&index=2&md5=702abf47b40c65394b6e26cc4df1d7a5> , that focuses on empowering teachers to become leaders by promoting the teaching career, recognizing high-achieving educators, providing training opportunities, and offering financial support to achieve their goals.
They now have a chance to be selected as one of the top three national winners and win an additional $5K, $10K or $25K to bring their program to life! The top three winners will be announced in October/November.
About the Voya Foundation:
Voya Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in communities where Voya Financial operates and its employees and customers live. Voya Foundation provides grants and establishes signature partnerships in the areas of financial literacy and children’s education and fosters employee engagement to deepen our positive impact on the community. For more information, visit www.VoyaFoundation.com <https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.VoyaFoundation.com&esheet=52193003&newsitemid=20200323005489&lan=en-US&anchor=www.VoyaFoundation.com&index=3&md5=88d8c34b40492191cddf9aaa347c1eb8>
About Voya Financial:
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), is a leading health, wealth and investment company with approximately 9,000 employees who are focused on achieving Voya’s aspirational vision: “Clearing your path to financial confidence and a more fulfilling life.” Through products, solutions and technologies, Voya helps its 15.2 million individual, workplace and institutional clients become well planned, well invested and well protected. Benefitfocus, a Voya company and a leading benefits administration provider, extends the reach of Voya’s workplace benefits and savings offerings by engaging directly with over 12 million employees in the U.S. Certified as a “Great Place to Work” by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Voya is purpose-driven and committed to conducting business in a way that is economically, ethically, socially and environmentally responsible. Voya has earned recognition as: one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere; a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index; and a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index. For more information, visit voya.com <https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?
