Social Participation

After long-term observation and evaluation, our company has found that local childcare resources in Miaoli County are limited (particularly in Toufen City, its most populous city). To give back to our location, the Yicheng Group established the Yicheng Social Welfare Charity Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the "Yicheng Foundation") in 2016. Guided by the founding motto "Love Taiwan, Care for Our Next Generation," the foundation embodies the principles of "people-oriented and fulfilling corporate social responsibility."

Since its establishment, the GIS Social Welfare Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation) has partnered with 48 social welfare organizations across Taiwan. Through nationwide social welfare donations, the foundation effectively allocates its resources to children, youth, and families in need. GIS colleagues are also invited to participate in social welfare activities through tangible contributions (donations of goods, time, and money), thereby understanding social welfare work and fulfilling their social responsibilities. In 2024, a total of 148 boxes of New Year gift boxes were purchased from social welfare organizations. 29 boxes were donated to social welfare units in Miaoli County, and additional Zhongyuan Festival supplies were donated to social welfare organizations in Taichung and Miaoli Counties (both where the company operates), totaling 50 households.

In addition, in 2020, GIS established Miaoli County's first privately-run parent-child space, [Wanwan Ju Parent-Child Space], offering free parent-child space to families with children under six years old. This first privately-run parent-child space in Miaoli County also employs professional social workers to provide activities and consultations, helping to alleviate the care burden on parents in Zhunan and Toufen areas of Miaoli County. This "family-centered, community-based" approach serves as a gatekeeper to the social safety net. In 2024, the space will be open to five groups of families on weekdays, totaling 198 days throughout the year, serving a total of 2,374 parent-child visits.

To promote SDG4: Quality Education, SDG5: Gender Equality, and SDG10: Reduction of Inequality, the foundation, through the Lu Papa Storytelling Theater, held performances of the picture books "Family Album" and "Ms. Jasmine's Friendship" in 25 kindergartens and elementary schools in Taichung City and Miaoli County in 2024, benefiting a total of 3,919 people.

This year (2024), the "Little Wish Christmas Gift Adoption Program" featured a special segment where 15 staff members volunteered to deliver gifts to children at two schools in Miaoli County. Taixing Elementary School, an experimental school for the Atayal language, invited volunteers to participate in an Atayal cultural activity with the children. During this process, the children acted as guides and teachers, ensuring that the donations were not merely about children receiving gifts, but also about providing them with opportunities to give, creating a cycle of love. A total of 167 children from four schools (three of which are in rural areas) benefited (107 of whom were from rural areas). The program aims to address various forms of inequality among children, provide them with support, and echo SDG 10's call to reduce inequality.

"GIS Employee Charity Fund" Subsidy Program

 "GIS Social Welfare Foundation" launched its first "Employee Donation of One Day's Salary" campaign in June 2017, which received a tremendous response from employees and marked a significant milestone. Inspired by the employees' generosity, we established the "GIS Employee Charity Fund" in May 2018, hoping to support disadvantaged groups through employees' collective donation of their salaries. This program provides subsidies to registered social welfare organizations in Taiwan that have already implemented effective service programs, providing additional funding to cover any shortfall. This allows employees to participate in public welfare, practice social responsibility, and work together to "love Taiwan and care for our next generation."

Hsien-Ying Chou, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Group, stated:

"Donations are not a one-time act; we want all children to feel the same warmth."

Our company also has long-term educational assistance and charitable activities in Tibetan areas of mainland China. The Yecheng Tibetan Education Assistance and Revitalization Project is an informal and non-profit organization, primarily supported by a group of people with passion and faith for Tibetan areas. This charitable project was initiated by Mr. Zhou Xianying, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yecheng Group, and established with the joint support of Yecheng Group employees and other kind-hearted individuals. Since its launch in 2022, the Yecheng Tibetan Education Assistance and Revitalization Project has renovated two playgrounds for Yulong Primary School, donated 8 used office computers, 47 printer consumables, 32 sets of traditional dance costumes for local students participating in local cultural festivals, 500 sets of winter gifts (gloves, hats, scarves), and 378 sets of school uniforms, totaling RMB 1,101,839 by the end of 2023.

In 2024, we donated 50 used computers from our company's retirement program to Yutian Junior High School in Liangshan Prefecture through the Tzu Chi Foundation for the construction of a computer lab. We deeply understand the importance of education and know that the dreams of children in remote mountainous areas need more comprehensive support. Creating a warmer and more welcoming environment for children in mountainous areas, allowing them to thrive under the care of love and bravely pursue their dreams, is the driving force and meaning behind our continued attention and assistance to the children of Yutian Junior High School.