Month: August 2023

Originally published by Ericsson

Caroline Berns

Welcome to the latest edition of our Diversity & Inclusion News Round Up. Today we are talking about A/B testing D&I initiatives, hustle culture, disability inclusion in the workplace, and a new campaign from Dove.

Diversity 
Great HBR article sharing how companies can benefit from A/B testing their D&I initiatives – proudly featuring a case study from Ericsson!

Work life 
Insightful article about the hustle culture – and how people now re-prioritise what they want out of work and life.

Disability in the workplace 
Disability rights advocate Tiffany Yu shares in this TED Talk how companies can make the workplace more inclusive for employees with disabilities. Worth watching!

Mental health 
Dove’s (Unilever) research shows that social media is harming the mental health of 3 in 5 children. The latest campaign “The Cost of Beauty” is bringing awareness to the impact of toxic social media content – watch the video.

About Ericsson 
Ericsson is one of the leading providers of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to service providers. We enable the full value of connectivity by creating game-changing technology and services that are easy to use, adopt, and scale, making our customers successful in a fully connected world.

Our comprehensive portfolio ranges across Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services and Emerging Business; powered by 5G and IoT platforms.

by Yan Tai

This summer, Cadence, an affordable senior living development located in Fort Collins, Colorado and comprising 55 senior living apartments, achieved a new first in the country — attaining Green Communities Plus and WELL Certification. Green Communities, created and administered by Enterprise Community Partners, is the leading sustainable building program designed specifically for affordable housing, while the WELL Building Standard (WELL), developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), is the world’s leading framework for creating and certifying spaces that advance human health and well-being. The “Plus” level of 2020 Green Communities is the highest certification tier, recognizing significant achievement for housings that meet all certification requirements and have invested in deep levels of energy efficiency.

In addition to the dual Green Communities Plus-WELL Certification, Cadence was also named a Zero Energy Ready project through a program offered by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Advancing health and sustainability through smart, integrative design

Cadence, built during the COVID-19 pandemic, made health and well-being top priorities. The building focused on indoor air quality by installing high-performance HVAC systems coupled with an airtight and insulated building envelop that, when necessary, help protect against harmful outdoor pollutants such as wildfire smoke. It also introduced other health strategies including interventions for moisture control, passive radon ventilation, and operable windows. The project’s health-first solutions don’t stop there, also including several biophilic designs and community-engagement strategies.

The development was also a leader in sustainability, adopting important interventions to help save energy and reduce utility bills. For example, the well-insulated building envelope is also a key strategy to reduce energy consumption. Because of a full-range of energy efficiency measures, the building is certified under ENERGY STAR and the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home program, meaning Cadence is a high-performance building that is so energy-efficient that its renewable energy system could offset most or all the building’s annual energy use. Cadence also dramatically reduced its water consumption by 42.6% compared to the industry baseline—saving 1.2 million gallons of water per year.

“Through our partnership with Enterprise, affordable housing developments all across the country can attain dual certification under Green Communities Criteria and WELL, which helps ensure this critical sector has the opportunity to take the lead on both sustainability and health,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. “We congratulate Cadence for taking up this leadership challenge and being the first to achieve WELL Certification and Green Communities Plus, making it one of the country’s most exemplary projects working to pioneer places that foster well-being and advance both human and planetary health.”

How financial incentives helped Cadence

Volunteers for America, a non-profit organization that developed Cadence, financed the construction costs utilizing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) with equity provided by Enterprise. Colorado is one of 35 states, in addition to the District of Columbia and New York City, whose LIHTC programs require or incentivize certifying to Enterprise Green Communities. Apartments at Cadence are reserved for seniors earning between 20% and 80% of the area median income.

What others are saying about Cadence’s leadership

VOA’s decision for Cadence to pursue certification under the 2020 Enterprise Green Communities criteria showcases a dedication to fostering a resilient community and supporting both human and climate health.

“We put the thought and care into making the design sustainable for the long term to ensure that the property is an asset for the (Cadence) community for the foreseeable future.”

-Brian Reilly, Development Director, Volunteers of America

“Resilient building is the only way to future-proof our communities against the effects of a changing climate. Cadence represents a deep commitment to sustainability: healthy, energy-efficient affordable homes that are responsive to resident, community, and environmental priorities.”

– Krista Egger, Vice President, Building Resilient Futures, Enterprise

Background on IWBI & Enterprise’s partnership

In 2019, IWBI and Enterprise formed a strategic partnership to create and implement a shared vision for affordable homes that improve residents’ health and well-being. By working collaboratively to integrate WELL features into the 2020 Green Communities Criteria, Enterprise and IWBI created a best-in-class certification pathway that provides affordable housing developers a flexible roadmap for achieving higher levels of health and well-being benefits that are rooted in the latest scientific evidence and best practices. Today, through the partnership, projects that are certified to Enterprise 2020 Green Communities Criteria are simultaneously certified under WELL, helping affordable housing developers to focus on ensuring affordable homes advance health outcomes while promoting environmental sustainability.

Since the launch of the 2020 Green Communities, Enterprise has been working with 20 affordable housing developments comprising more than 500 new and rehabilitated homes across 12 states and the District of Columbia to support early adopters of the new joint certification program.

In 2022, Thessalonica Court, a Bronx, NY-based apartment building that was rehabilitated by Jonathan Rose Companies, became the first to achieve the joint certification under Enterprise Green Communities and WELL. Cadence, one of the projects in this leadership cohort, is the second to achieve the joint certification, but the first to do so at the Enterprise Green Communities Plus certification level.

To learn more about Cadence, click here.

View original content here.

Nestled in the rugged landscapes of Dafang County lies Jinxing Elementary School. To outsiders, the path to this school may seem challenging, with children embarking on hours-long treks through hills and valleys in pursuit of education. However, beneath these challenges unfolds a captivating story of transformation, compassion, and the remarkable impact of Yum China’s flagship CSR initiative, the “One Yuan Donation” program.

Wang Wei, the principal of Jinxing Elementary School, has served as a beacon of hope for over a decade. He views the students as his own children, dedicating his days to their education and well-being. Yet, one concern weighed heavily on his heart – the students’ meals.

Upon his arrival, the school’s kitchen was far from adequate. It relied on a large iron pot and a wooden steamer, both powered by coal. The coal fires took hours to heat up, and the soot from burning coal posed problems for the kitchen staff. Consequently, the students’ packed lunches were often cold and unappetizing. Wang Wei could not bear to see these young minds eat cold meals and resolved to make a change.

His initial solution, using his tiny dorm room and a single electric stove, was far from ideal. Wang Wei knew a more sustainable solution was needed. In 2022, the “One Yuan Donation” program by Yum China reached Jinxing Elementary School, providing a valuable lifeline. This program allows customers in China to make small donations when placing their orders, directly funding the installation and maintenance of modern kitchen equipment in rural schools.

Wang Wei led efforts to secure this transformative project, collaborating with local authorities and meticulously preparing application documents. The day the equipment arrived was a testament to his dedication. Wang Wei, along with the school staff, eagerly awaited the installation team, their smiles reflecting the hope in their hearts. Neighboring villagers extended warm hospitality to the installation team, symbolizing a shared vision.

The benefits of modern kitchen equipment were threefold. It brought cost savings, reducing monthly fuel costs by up to 75% with the switch from coal to electricity. It saved time, with automation improvements reducing labor. And most importantly, it reduced environmental pollution, as electric power proved more hygienic and environmentally friendly.

The modern kitchen has transformed the school. Students no longer brought cold lunches from home; they enjoyed hearty, warm meals that lifted their spirits. While meal logistics became smoother, Wang Wei’s commitment remained unwavering. He ensured staff received the necessary training and implemented food safety protocols to ensure students’ well-being.

Wang Wei firmly believes in the link between nourishment and performance. Well-fed students were more attentive, leading to improved academic results. In rural regions, educators like Wang Wei serve as pillars of the community, nurturing the future generation. The “One Yuan Donation” program, empowered by compassion and conscientious supervision, promises lasting impact, ensuring growth and transformation for countless rural children.

The story of Jinxing Elementary School is one of resilience, collaboration, and compassion. The “One Yuan Donation” program exemplifies the profound change that collective effort can bring. As these young minds grow, we are reminded that even seemingly small acts of kindness can create waves of transformation.

Through the modern kitchen’s doors, a brighter future emerges. Nourishment and education intertwine and the journey to school becomes less daunting, helping improve communities to prosper and dreams to flourish.

Originally published on Built From Scratch

ATLANTA, August 28, 2023 /3BL/ – The Home Depot Foundation announced an incremental investment of more than $6 million in skilled trades training and launched new strategic partnerships to address the nearly 400,000 job openings across the construction industry. With these philanthropic grants, the Foundation’s Path to Pro program launched a brand new entrepreneurship program and will provide free, skilled trades training and scholarships for more veterans, military families, high school students and separating service members.

To serve aspiring entrepreneurs within the skilled trades industry, The Home Depot Foundation is partnering with Bunker Labs to introduce an entrepreneurship program designed to guide U.S. military veterans and military spouses through the process of establishing a successful business foundation. During the 8-week program, participants will gain industry-specific mentorship, learn about market segmentation, how to address specific customer profiles and design a business plan for launch. The program’s virtual offering makes it accessible to participants nationwide.

The Foundation is also expanding its Path to Pro scholarship program with grants to SkillPointe Foundation, its partner since 2021, and through a new partnership with Folds of Honor. Military scholarships through Folds of Honor extend financial support to qualifying veterans and military family members entering or enrolled in accredited skilled trade schools.

“We’re expanding our current training programs and creating new avenues to steadily fill the country’s skilled labor gap with in-demand talent,” said The Home Depot Foundation’s executive director, Shannon Gerber. “Diversifying our approach with additional entrepreneurship and scholarship programs helps ensure we’re reaching more communities with free training opportunities and creating sustainable change for the industry.”

The Home Depot Foundation extended its grant to long-time partner Home Builders Institute to broaden its Path to Pro high school and military programs. The two organizations will continue to provide no-cost PACT curriculum certification for more than 1,200 separating military members annually, 11th and 12th grade students and Title 1 schools nationwide.

The Home Depot Foundation’s skilled trades training program, Path to Pro, launched in 2018 with a $50 million commitment to train the next generation of skilled tradespeople, diversify the trades industry, and address the growing labor shortage in the U.S. The Foundation’s trades-focused partnerships have introduced more than 200,000 people to the skilled trades and have trained more than 41,000 participants through programming available to youth, high school students, underserved communities and separating U.S. military.

Beyond the Foundation’s work in this area, The Home Depot’s Path to Pro Network connects skilled tradespeople to professional contractors and job openings. The Path to Pro Network has introduced more than 12,000 jobseekers to millions of The Home Depot’s Pro customers nationwide and has provided exclusive access to more than 2,200 jobs. For more information and to find skilled trades resources available in English and Spanish, visit PathtoPro.com.