Celebrating A Decade Long Partnership With Fluor Canada

How Fluor has had such an impact on Hull Services

To plant the seeds of a concept and idea takes time. And to watch this vision grow takes just as much patience – and some soil, sunlight, and support. On June 14, 2024, Hull Services, in collaboration with Fluor, officially unveiled Subnivean Farm to the community and watched this idea come to life. 

Fluor, supporters of Hull Services for 39 years, have been side-by-side with Subnivean Farm, a cold weather market garden on Hull’s campus since 2016, and were there when first ground was broken on the project.  

“It means so much to Fluor because we got the see the value and impact from where we put our efforts and dollars and attention,” says Joe Connors, Director, Communications & Public Affairs with Fluor. 

“To see the impact Subnivean has on the young people Hull, and to hear them speak about how it’s positively affecting their lives and what’s it teaching them really hit home to a lot of people,” says Lawrence Webb, Construction Automation Manager with Fluor.  

A lot of Fluor’s community commitments don’t always come with strong volunteer components tied to them, so while they’ll hear and be told of what the impact will be, or what it has been, rarely do they get to be on the ground and see firsthand their impact, like they do with Subnivean. 

It’s also given Fluor  the perspective of seeing young people learn life skills, soil culture, and have the chance to help  build up an entire ecosystem while learning the importance of food sustainability and reaping what they sow. 

“It’s something that’s going to stick with them for life,” Lawrence adds.  

And knowing that Subnivean Farm provides a boost for the mental health of the young people on campus and that it’s a place where people can commune together has layers of benefits.  

“Mental health is intrinsically important to Fluor. People are learning more and more about the importance of mental health, and we’re learning how to better support not only our employees, but the organizations we support. [Subnivean Farm] became this wonderful community initiative for us to step into and help further Hull’s mission,” Joe says.  

By having a decades long partnership together, the work that’s being done by both organizations has tremendous reach and encourages people to get involved.  

“Our employees love coming to Hull to volunteer and support any way they can, and also learn more about the work being done by Hull,” Joe adds.  

The importance of community and answering the call is paramount to Fluor. “We’re trying to help people in our community and make sure those communities are prosperous and thriving. Relationship building is important to us in the respect we continue fostering them to help them move forward. 

“We want to leave a positive impact,” says Joe. 

This relationship has also lasted for so long due to the level of respect each organization has for one another, and how we walk side by side together. 

By knowing an idea can be turned it into a flourishing garden that not only provides nutrition but education and the opportunity for better self-regulation for the young people we support, is meaningful to Fluor. 

“What we took from the unveiling was a feeling of having accomplished something that was meaningful to the individuals that Hull helps. It’s exciting to see this come to fruition and that Hull is there growing along with the needs of its young people,” says Joe. 

“It’s a privilege to be a part of something like the unveiling and supporting Hull,” says Lawrence.  

“What our team and organization gets out of this is priceless. You can see Hull’s true impact. The following Monday my inbox was flooded with questions from people asking when can we go back to Hull, and what more can we do? That speaks to it right there – people want to be involved – we get more out of it than we’re putting in,” Lawrence adds.  

Hull Services continues to be grateful for the support that Fluor brings  to the young people and families in our community, and it shows how one company’s commitment can have such an positive impact on an organization.