How Morgan Stanley Volunteers Helped 60 Men in Blue

Whether they’re participating in mock interviews or donating equipment highly specific to our needs, we’re proud to have corporate supporters who are far more involved than simply cutting a check to make a CSR quota. Time and time again, these companies have shown a deep, personal investment in seeing each man in Ready, Willing & Able succeed.

Morgan Stanley is one such supporter. Giving Back is an integral part of the culture at Morgan Stanley. Supporting those in need is a priority year-round, but each year during Global Volunteer Month, the firm kicks up its efforts to strengthen the impact that employees can make with nonprofit partners around the globe.

With her office returning to in-person after over 16 months of working remotely, Victoria Kisin, Executive Director, Enterprise Technology & Services at Morgan Stanley, recognized an opportunity to bring coworkers together again while doing good for the community.

“We thought, what a perfect opportunity to do both,” said Victoria. “We’re reconnecting for a good cause—what could be better than that?”

As a longtime New Yorker, Victoria was familiar with the Men in Blue, and especially noted how they remained fixtures in the city throughout the pandemic. When it came time to decide on what nonprofit to support for the event, Victoria said, “I chose The Doe Fund to give our time as it’s the truest example of an organization whose singular goal is to help the people of New York City.”

The buy-in from coworkers was unanimous, and on July 13th, 26 Morgan Stanley volunteers came together to assemble 60 personal grooming kits with personal notes for the men living at our transitional residences.

These kits provide so much more than financial relief from having to purchase everyday supplies.

“So few of the men we serve have received any real recognition in their lives,” said Nazerine Griffin, Senior Director of Transitional Housing at The Doe Fund. “When you’re homeless or incarcerated, you feel completely invisible, forgotten, unwanted. Speaking from personal experience as a graduate of the program, the psychological effect this kind of gift can have on a trainee is transformational.”

And when you boil it down, that’s the very core of what we do: provide the opportunity for people to transform their lives. With help from supporters like Victoria and Morgan Stanley, we’ll continue to do just that for generations to come.