SM Cares, a division of the SM Foundation, is the flagship advocacy of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Launched in 2004, it aims to organize the group's sustainability efforts into a comprehensive program that tackles a wide range of initiatives: from giving a voice to the under-represented sectors of society, to preserving the environment and to creating innovative but sustainable avenues of growth.
SM Cares strives to create a mall for all - a corporate citizen that cares for all members of society and those of future generations
The advocacies of SM Cares include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children & Youth Development, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens, Overseas Filipino Workers and Environment and Sustainability.
SM Cares works with various organizations, corporations, shareholders and people from the community in coming up with innovative solutions that pave way to living more sustainable lives. As a responsible mall developer, SM ensures that its corporate social responsibility programs serve as catalyst for positive change for the community it serves.
Persons with Special Needs
Program on Disability Affairs
The SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs is a multi-awarded corporate social responsibility program. Since its beginnings, SM Supermalls have championed the issues of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by giving them a venue to host their events and spread their cause, while fostering a second home where they can feel welcome and secure.
SM Supermalls nationwide are built to be PWD-friendly - with more than the required number of ramps, accessible parking lots, Braille signages and utilities within an accessible height, SM takes pride in creating a more comfortable environment for people with disabilities. SM Mall tenants and staff are also trained on how to deal with PWDs.
Program on Children and Youth
The SM Cares Program on Children and Youth equips its malls with the latest child-proof technology. These include guardrails in escalators and step guides throughout the buildings. There are kiddie sizes for facilities - from lavatories, to emergency buttons and pay phones. Mall staff as well as tenants also go through child management seminars and are capable of dealing with a child with special needs, or a family in distress.
SM also celebrates the National Children's Book Reading Day in its malls in the Philippines and in China. Children from both public and private schools are invited to the malls for a day of book reading and storytelling. The children also get to bring home their own books donated by SM Foundation and event partners.
Program on Nursing Mothers
All SM Supermalls encourage the interaction of mothers and their children by allowing nursing activities anywhere in the malls. Alternatively, mothers may choose to use nursing or breastfeeding stations located in every SM mall fitted for their privacy and extra comfort.
Program for Senior Citizens (Elderly)
Under the SM Cares Program on Senior Citizens, seniors are provided courtesy lanes in the malls, complimentary health and fitness classes, and computer literacy sessions. SM also gives them the opportunity to be casually employed as mall greeters and ushers.
Program on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)
To support families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), SM Cares created The Global Pinoy Center (GPC). As a "one-stop service hub", the GPC offers free telecommunication services, BDO Remittance Pick-up services and Foreign Exchange services. Families are also taught how to use various chat and voice application programs, as well as social networking sites to keep in touch with their relatives overseas.
To further improve their plight, SM partnered with various government agencies and private institutions to benefit the OFWs and their families, including NGOs that give seminars on how to manage their money and start a business.
Mall-based Outreach Programs
Share-Your-Extras
In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Share-Your-Extras Program encourages shoppers to donate excess clothes, toys, household and other basic commodities to the less fortunate.
Donation booths are found in any SM establishment nationwide.
Donate-A-Book
The Donate-A-Book drive was created to promote a passion for reading among the youth. This yearly initiative aims to improve literacy and enhance comprehension and creative skills through books.
Today, the Donate-A-Book drive provides community reading centers and public libraries to its community beneficiaries.
Share-A-Toy, Make a Child Happy
The SM Group continues to put smiles on children's faces with its annual Share-A-Toy, Make A Child Happy toy drive. For 15 years, this holiday campaign has become a staple in SM malls, most of which, serves as a venue for donation drop offs. Shoppers can share the spirit of Christmas with less fortunate children residing in government hospitals, indigenous communities, selected community day care centers and other charitable institutions.
