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ARAUCO contributes to the quality of life of neighbors and workers

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In recent years, the company has implemented programs to help neighbors and workers achieve their dreams, such as owning a home and completing basic and secondary education. Both initiatives "fill us with pride because they are concrete actions that directly impact people's quality of life," says Nicolás Jobet, Communications Submanager.
Let's learn about these initiatives:

Education Leveling Program

"Having the courage to keep going." "Transforming fear and daring to try." "Feeling proud of what we've accomplished." These were some of the emotions experienced by those who advanced in their basic and secondary education through the 2021 Education Leveling Program. At their graduation ceremony held last March, 59 people—including direct and indirect workers and neighbors—shared what studying and closing this chapter of their lives meant to them. Since the program's launch, 752 people have progressed in their basic or secondary education.

This program began in 2014 with the goal of improving the education levels of workers and communities linked to the industry. As such, it is an open, flexible, and free initiative that is part of a broader strategy. For ARAUCO, education has transformative power, which is why the company has implemented various initiatives to strengthen it:
• Arauco Educational Foundation
• Forma Academy
• School network in the communes of Arauco, Cholguán, and Constitución
• Forest Drivers School
• Scholarship programs for workers and their children
• Raíz de Talento Program
• Education Leveling Program, which aims to reduce the gap for those who couldn’t complete their basic or secondary education.
Charles Kimber, ARAUCO’s People and Sustainability Manager, congratulated those who joined the program. "Education has transformative power for everyone. At ARAUCO, we strengthen tools and organizations to support education, and the Education Leveling Program achieves something very relevant—closing a cycle that serves as the foundation for starting others. We want to include more people, so let’s all be ambassadors of this program."

Here are some testimonials from the graduation ceremony:

Usiel Nahuelpán, forest guard in Valdivia Zone: "I completed my first and second year of high school. I won’t say it was easy because balancing work, home, and studies was challenging, but we always had the support of teachers and tutors who checked in on me. Behind every student is a story of great effort, responsibility, and perseverance. I invite you to enjoy this pride because we’ve been closing chapters and processes. Thank you to ARAUCO, my children, my wife, my boss, and my colleagues for all the support."

Polonia Arriagada, neighbor of Hualpén: "My son always motivated me to pursue high school. It wasn’t easy, but I did it, and now I hope to finish my fourth year. Closing this chapter is important."

Mauricio Herrera, Manager of a contracting company in the Pulp Business: "I supported my workers in joining the program (6 people), and the results speak for themselves. The perseverance and effort of each one fills me with pride knowing they completed this stage."

Closing a Chapter

Why is it important to complete one’s education? We asked Florencia Alonso, consultant at the Arauco Educational Foundation: "Leveling education in adulthood is a way to reclaim a path that may have been interrupted for various reasons. It’s a tremendous demonstration of overcoming, of being capable when the opportunity arises, of rising above adversity, and of repairing what was left unfinished. Instead of settling or resigning oneself to what couldn’t be, it’s about finding strength and committing to personal and professional growth.
It’s also about responding positively to the opportunities given to us, being able to recognize and seize them, and then accepting the challenge with determination and perseverance. In this sense, it speaks highly of everyone who goes through this process—how they’ve reached the goal they once set, how they’ve taken on more responsibilities in adulthood when we already have so many, while staying focused on achieving an immensely valuable objective. Education is a lifelong journey; we can always learn, open ourselves to new knowledge, broaden our horizons, and acquire new skills. There’s a world waiting for us, and it’s never too late to explore it."

 
ARAUCO Housing Program

In March, 351 families received the keys to their own homes in Curanilahue. This is the Portal de Curanilahue, another project under ARAUCO’s Housing Plan that has helped many families achieve the dream of homeownership.
Why is this so important? Because when we ask what a home is, many definitions arise: the place we live, a residence, or the physical space that shelters us from cold or heat and where we find protection. A home is much more than that. It’s a place tied to deep emotional bonds, a sense of security, unity, and comfort. It’s a space to connect with others, to build and strengthen family ties, and where emotions and relationships beyond our house are born. It’s also an environment to connect with our neighbors and the surrounding community. This helps us understand why owning a home is so deeply desired and relevant to everyone’s quality of life. It’s where everything begins and ends each day—where experiences and stories with those we share a roof with are born.
"This perspective is what drove us as a company to embark on this journey 12 years ago. It originated from the concerns of workers across different business units and service companies, who identified housing as their main priority. From there, we took on the challenge of working decisively on the ARAUCO Housing Plan. Over a decade ago, we began a path to contribute to the challenge of permanent housing for workers and neighbors in the Chilean territories where ARAUCO operates, guided by principles that are central to our work," says Fernando Valenzuela, Head of ARAUCO’s Housing Plan.

Over the past 12 years, more than 2,000 homes have been delivered in the communes of Constitución, Yungay, Arauco, Curanilahue, Los Álamos, and San José de la Mariquina.

Of the 351 homes delivered in Curanilahue (out of 714 total), 149 belong to families of direct and indirect ARAUCO workers in the Forestry, Pulp, and Wood divisions.

Here are some testimonials:

Víctor Escobar, Assistant at El Colorado Sawmill: "ARAUCO has been a facilitator in terms of paperwork and the site itself. Whenever we needed them, the administration always provided support."

Hernán Colihuinca, Production Assistant at El Colorado Sawmill: "Well, they were the main driver—as we discussed during the visit, the land and the wood are fundamental. Also, being an ARAUCO worker played a big role, so I’m very grateful for that."

Segundo Rivera and Mónica Cortés, a married couple: "Before, we lived as guests in others’ homes, and this change is incredible. I can’t explain how happy I am with my house. It brings us immense joy because we’ve fought for years to have our own home, and now it’s happened thanks to ARAUCO’s support."

Francisco Rivera, Drying Assistant at El Colorado Plant: "I used to live in the Chillancito area with my dad, and now, having my own home is a dream come true. It was hard to achieve, and it fills me with emotion and pride because ARAUCO has been outstanding."