Shundrawn Thomas, the new president of Northern Trust Asset Management, is the first person of color in 128 years in the senior management group at the bank and will help diversity efforts.
"I don't consider myself special per se, but I do know that I have some unique opportunities to have a positive impact."
"I don't consider myself special per se, but I do know that I have some unique opportunities to have a positive impact."
Those living in poverty in Eastern Kentucky, and Central Appalachia generally, deal with chronic and serious challenges. Much progress has been made in tackling poverty in Appalachia over the past 50 years, but pockets of severe rural poverty remain, particularly in Eastern Kentucky. While the average poverty rate in the 54 counties of Appalachian Kentucky fell from 60% in 1960 to 26% in 2010, rates are still high compared to the national average of 16%. Rates exceed 30% in more than a dozen counties, including those served by Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) programs.
While it often feels like one individual’s actions doesn't have an impact on the big picture, the truth is that we all have the power to make a difference and influence change. In fact, the majority of giving (at least 71% of total annual donations) is from individuals. Through our work at America’s Charities, we empower individuals and organizations to support causes they care about, and we do this to bring more resources to the nonprofits that are changing our world.
During 2017 there has been increased focus on the Sustainable Development Goals and how companies can lead the charge. Many companies are working to improve their supply chains, but rarely share the progress with consumers at the product level. Recently, one company was able to create a supply chain innovation and design a product that shares the initiative with consumers in an easy, accessible way.
People ask us all the time why Fairfax County needs a food bank. Just do the math. In 2015, Fairfax County had a median family income of $129,538 a year. The average housing rental cost was $1687 a month. The poverty level for a family of four is now $24,600 a year. And, of course, the national minimum wage is still $7.25 an hour.
Every day, millions of Americans have to sacrifice food, education, and healthcare because the cost of housing is so high. The numbers are grim: only one out of every four households who needs housing assistance gets it; more than one in four renters pays more than half of their income on housing costs; and nationwide waiting lists for affordable housing are years long. Many lists aren’t even open to new applicants because the backlog is so enormous.
At the beginning of every school year, many eager children sit in the front of the classroom armed with No. 2 pencils, wide-ruled paper and all of the other supplies needed for success. Some students never have to worry about not having access to the materials needed for class. However, that is not the case for many children around the U.S.