Sony Foundation Australia launched an inaugural Staff Engagement Program with charity partner Youth Off the Streets (YOTS). YOTS’ goal is to ensure young people leave their care drug–free, with a high school education, living skills and a job in hand. Sony staff help youth in this program through various activities, such as providing and cooking meals at a YOTS refuge, or running a food van for homeless in Sydney city. This unique program is truly reflective of Sony Foundation’s mission of contributing to the Australian community by assisting its youth.

The Haiti earthquake that occurred in January 2010 was indeed a painful and unpredictable act of Mother Nature. In response to the crisis, Sony Corporation, through SCA, made an immediate $250,000 contribution on behalf of the entire corporate to the American Red Cross, Save the Children and UNICEF. In addition, many Sony companies from across the world contributed to relief efforts through special initiatives such as matching dollar-for-dollar programs, as well as food and clothing drives to select aid organizations. In total, more than $750,000 was donated to the Red Cross, Save the Children and various other relief organizations around the world.

Sony Hong Kong’s Rainbow Team organized ‘Spread Love; Roaming around the Universe’ for children aged 6 to 11 years old from the Salvation Army’s Integrated Youth Centre. Sony volunteers introduced space science theories to these children and also tried out interactive exhibits to strengthen their knowledge of astronomy. Activities such as “Moon Walk” and “Virtual Glider” allowed the kids to experience gravity-free conditions on the moon and enter a virtual 3D computer world of the Grand Canyon. The children also went through a pop quiz which allowed them to test how much they had learnt on astronomy from the day’s events.