The new SAFE Fund supports employees during hardships and is immediately available to offer direct grants of up to $5,000
Charlotte, N.C.—Straightaway Tire & Auto, an independent automotive repair platform with over 65 locations across seven states, has announced the launch of its Straightaway Assistance Fund for Employees (SAFE), designed to provide financial support to team members facing unexpected hardship.
The initiative offers direct grants of up to $5,000 and a 2:1 matching charitable grant program for a wide range of hardships, including housing emergencies, major vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and educational pursuits not covered by employer funding.
“Our culture here at Straightaway Tire & Auto starts with the belief that our front-line team members are the most important people in this organization,” said John Teddy, chief executive officer of Straightaway. “Creating this resource to largely support our front-line team comes from a very simple point of view that if we do the right thing and take care of our people, they will in turn do the right thing and take care of our customers and communities.”
Current employees, their family members, and eformer employees who left in good standing within the past 12 months can apply for assistance. The program’s board features representatives from each of Straightaway’s five founding brands alongside platform leadership, ensuring fair and balanced decision-making across the platform’s diverse locations.
Funding for the program comes from a combination of Straightaway funding, vendor sponsorships, and voluntary employee donations. The list of current vendor sponsors can be found on the SAFE website, and the company further welcomes donations from any interested parties with a simple online payment process that can also be accessed on the website.
Straightaway has established a transparent application process to ensure equitable distribution of funds to those in need. The program also features a charitable component, offering a 2:1 match (up to $5,000) for employee-led fundraising efforts supporting team members in need.
Straightaway has 21 locations in Colorado, 17 in New England, 20 in Minnesota and seven in Florida.
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