Positive Change

At a social innovation summit in the nation’s capital last week, The Atlantic and Allstate honored five nonprofits with Renewal Awards for their innovative, grassroots approach to solving our nation’s most pressing challenges.

“The State of the Movement is strong,” declared Montez Holton, a junior at East St. Louis Senior High School, referring to the East Side Aligned collective impact “movement” in East St. Louis, IL. Working across sectors and organizations, the East St. Louis community has come together to help young people feel safe and secure in their community, be ready to succeed in school and work and empower them to create change.

During #RebuildingMonth, Rebuilding Together affiliates are planning to complete over 1,700 rebuilding projects, including homes and community centers across the country.

The Volkswagen Group has sent out a clear signal against xenophobia during the International Weeks Against Discrimination. Supported by the Board, about 40 locations, brands and subsidiaries worldwide participated in the "I am against racism" photo campaign.

In 7th and 8th grade, Natalie Hampton faced a terrible bullying experience. Every day, she ate lunch by herself and dealt with the pain and isolation that comes from being the outsider. She decided she wanted to give bullied kids an ally – not just in her Sherman Oakes, California, school, but in schools around the country.

For students, the college experience is a pivotal time of growth. Not only are these individuals learning new concepts and theories through their studies, many are also taking that first initial jump from childhood to adulthood as they navigate life with an increased sense of independence. Whether these students live on campus or commute from home, their experience at college shapes their first impression of life beyond the books. Because of this, providing the foundation for a robust campus community not only enhances the student experience but improves students’ quality of life.

The students currently participate in the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program, an innovative workplace program sponsored by Carnival and the Miami HEAT, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami that pairs a student with an employee mentor from Carnival. Prior to entering high school and participating in the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program, the students attended the HEAT Academy, an after-school enrichment program for at-risk youth.

In its first ever appearance at a PGA TOUR event, the Aflac Duck attended the Shell Houston Open this past Saturday.

VMware has once again been recognized for our unique culture and commitment to our global community. In partnership with the Great Place to Work Institute, People magazine released their inaugural “50 Companies that Care.”

It’s a critical time for the arts and healthcare across the USA. In solidarity with Americans for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and dozens of arts organizations, the AATA was a proud National Partner for the 30th annual Arts Advocacy Day, March 20 and 21, 2017, in Washington, DC.