On June 14, Innospec, Inc. of Salisbury visited the Gateway Freedom Center (GFC), at 1315 North Main Street to present a check in support of the transitional housing and recovery programs for men re-entering society from prison or jail and men seeking freedom from substance abuse.

An Innospec employee, Chris Messick, and former employee Antonio Snipes based at the local Salisbury manufacturing facility collected donations from fellow employees, family and friends to support the GFC. Messick then submitted an application to the community support program offered by Innospec called ‘Innospec Cares.’ The program, launched in 2016, encourages employees to raise money for local or national charitable and community organizations close to their hearts and submit an application for match funding. Through the program Innospec will donate $2 for every $1 raised by employees, boosting the amount they have raised.

The funds raised by Innospec will help the Gateway Freedom Center to provide programming funds for the six men enrolled in GFC’s certified training. The funding donated will be used to transport the men to and from work, for job hunting, training for the 28-day GFC certification, utilities and food.

Kathy White, GFC’s executive director, received the gift from Innospec employees Messick, Susan Barnhart and John Struzick at a ceremony in front of the residence center. Helen Coy, group sustainable development manager, based in the UK, was also present representing the Innospec Cares Steering Group.

The Gateway Freedom Center provides a Pathway to a Brighter Future program that offers spiritual, inpatient and outpatient assistance, and abstinence from drugs and alcohol with the hope of re-entry into normal living through transitional housing. GFC exists through the gifts from Salisbury Community Development Corporation, individuals from Rowan County and other states, churches, businesses, corporations, government grants and foundations. For information on giving to Gateway or to have a speaker share GFC’s opportunities, contact Kathy White at 704-232-9148.