Tag: 3BL

SWORDS, Ireland, August 13, 2024 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, is exploring how climate technology and innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work, learn and play with Season 4 of its Healthy Spaces Podcast.

“Building a net-zero future begins with crucial conversations with the innovators who are leading the way, one healthy space at a time,” said Dominique Silva, Healthy Spaces podcast co-host and EMEA marketing leader, Trane Technologies. “On this season of the Healthy Spaces podcast, we’re talking with the entrepreneurs, scientists and sustainability leaders who are shaping the future of climate technology. Our goal is to educate audiences on the breakthrough technology that already exists today, while discovering what’s next on the radar and how we can make a positive impact together.”

Dominique Silva is joined as co-host by Scott Tew, Vice President of Sustainability, and Oakley Roberts, Vice President of Innovation. Season 4 launched with Episode 1, “Growth Mindset,” featuring a conversation with venture capitalist Steve Westly about scaling clean technologies. More episodes are available now and include:

Episode 2, “Nitty Gritty on Net-Zero” – a conversation with climate activist Avipsa Mahapatra on the importance of transparency as companies activate net-zero plans. 
 Episode 3, “Climate Talent” – Opportunity@Work co-founder and CEO Byron Auguste joins Trane Technologies VP of Talent Betsey Strobl to talk about how to leverage the talents of employees skilled through alternative routes to help decarbonize our world. 
 Episode 4, “Rethinking Heat Policy” – a conversation with Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University, about how to elevate community insights to protect people from extreme heat. 
 Episode 5, “Digital Transformation” – Bob Irvin and Ryan Rutledge from climate tech incubator Joules Accelerator join Trane Technologies Chief Digital Officer Riaz Raihan to talk about how digital technology is reducing emissions and unlocking value.

More episodes will be released later this summer that explore topics like preventing food loss, supporting the next generation of climate innovators, and the role of marketing and communications in advancing sustainability strategy.

Each episode also features a story from a listener about how they are building healthy spaces in their own organizations and communities. Listeners are invited to submit their stories on the Healthy Spaces Podcast webpage to be considered for a future episode.

Healthy Spaces is streaming now on podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

Through bold, industry-leading action and innovation, Trane Technologies is advancing its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer emissions by a billion metric tons and its pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company’s emissions reduction targets have been externally validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

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About Trane Technologies 
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. Visit tranetechnologies.com.

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to our sustainability commitments and the impact of these commitments. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

KFC

PLANO, Texas, August 12, 2024 /3BL/ – In celebration of International Youth Day, KFC today announces a partnership with Plan International to support youth in their pursuit of skills and work of their choosing – at KFC restaurants and beyond.

Plan International is working toward a world where all are equal. They partner with young people and their communities to provide resources and support to help youth overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. With a presence in 80+ countries, Plan International is one of the oldest and widest-reaching organizations that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

Nearly 75 percent of young people aged 15 to 24 in 92 countries lack the basic skills needed for employment, according to the Education Commission and UNICEF. KFC’s partnership with Plan International will empower young people, especially girls and persons with disabilities, to pursue their professional dreams and goals through tailored training and resources. The partnership has four key objectives:

Providing pathways for young people to pursue decent work of their choosingSupporting young people to develop market-driven, relevant skillsFostering a work environment where youth can be authentically themselvesPromoting positive social norms about young people as economic actors and valuable contributors

“We are so proud to link arms with Plan International to help feed the potential of youth around the world,” said Meredith Krones, Integrated Communications and Social Purpose Lead at KFC Global. “Working to address inequities and support individuals is one way KFC can make lasting impact in the communities we serve. Whether you choose to work at KFC or pursue a different passion, we know this work is building a brighter future for everyone involved.”

To achieve its partnership objectives, KFC will contribute to Plan International’s Skills & Work Fund, co-develop best practice guides on youth-friendly recruitment, training and retention, and welcome young people to its corporate offices to experience a day in the life of a KFC executive.

“Our partnership with KFC Global will create real opportunities for young people, especially young women and those with disabilities,” said Shanna Marzilli, President and CEO at Plan International USA. “This is about more than just jobs; it’s about helping young people who seem to have the odds stacked against them to build the skills and confidence they need to shape their own futures.”

This work builds on KFC’s existing efforts to support youth employability, including initiatives in Thailand and the UK. KFC Thailand’s Bucket Search program unlocks opportunities for drop-out students through confidence-building and vocational exploration. These work and study opportunities are aimed at socially re-integrating youth in support of Thailand’s zero dropout vision. Since 2023, Bucket Search has helped 130 school dropouts reintegrate into the education system.

KFC United Kingdom and Ireland’s Hatch employability program focuses on opening doors to young people and unlocking the life-changing power of a first job. Through Hatch, 825 young people have increased access to growing skills and opportunities to promote confidence, resilience and aspiration while providing a viable pathway to sustainable employment.

About KFC

KFC is a global chicken restaurant brand with a rich, decades-long history of success and innovation. It all started with one cook, Colonel Harland Sanders, who created the Original Recipe more than 90 years ago, a list of 11 secret herbs and spices scratched out on the back of the door to his kitchen. Today, while honoring our heritage, we remain committed to modernizing the colonel’s vision, by serving feel-good food, at scale, through inclusive, equitable and sustainable business practices. We continue to follow his formula for success, with real cooks breading and freshly preparing our delicious chicken by hand in more than 30,000 restaurants in 150 countries and territories around the world. KFC is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM.)​

About Plan International

Plan International is an international development and humanitarian nonprofit that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of challenges children face. We are there from birth until adulthood, and we support children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity, while particularly focusing on the experiences of girls. With more than 85 years of experience, we work to transform lives in more than 80 countries. We won’t stop until we are all equal.

For more information, please visit www.PlanUSA.org.

Groundbreaking social experiment uses AI powered by Lenovo to raise awareness of Gen Zs’ loneliness and anxiety exacerbated by big differences in their real and online lives.New Lenovo research finds 60% of Gen Z respondents wish they could have difficult conversations with family in real life.Almost half (48%) say talking to a trained professional would give them the confidence to talk more openly with the people they love in the real world.Lenovo partners with mental health non-profit organizations in the US, UK, and Japan to expand access to 24/7 mental health support for young people.

August 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Lenovo™ released the newest iteration of its Work For Humankind project, titled ‘Meet Your Digital Self’. The project highlights the role that smarter technology and AI can play in helping to advance change and support mental health professionals in addressing the global youth mental health crisis. This work aims to address the challenges young people face when living different lives in the real world versus online, as two-thirds (67%) of Gen Z feel a disconnect between their online and offline selves, fuelling feelings of loneliness and anxiety. While almost half (49%) of Gen Zs say it’s easier to express themselves online than offline, 60% wish they could have difficult conversations with family and loved ones in real life.

Sarah Kendrick, Clinical Director at Mental Health Innovations, the charity running the UK’s Shout 24/7 text support service said, “One in eight people globally grapple with a mental health condition, with Gen Z experiencing the greatest impact, where that figure rises to one in five. The type of AI innovation in Lenovo’s ‘Meet Your Digital Self’ social experiment shows promise as a way in which generations with different understandings of online personas can meet and understand each other.”

In this first-of-its-kind social experiment, Lenovo pioneered the use of AI made possible by its broad portfolio of technology, from mobile phones and PCs to infrastructure, software, services, solutions, and cloud. The combined technology brought to life the entire online personas of two Gen Z project participants as lifelike avatars capable of having unscripted, natural conversation.

The experiment facilitated impactful, heartfelt conversations between the participants, their family members, and the avatars – conversations that might not have happened otherwise, in real life. The family members either didn’t know about their Gen Z participant’s online world or didn’t understand and accept it: be it their career choices or gender identity. By asking the digital avatars questions and having real-time conversations, each family member gained invaluable insights into their Gen Z loved one’s true self as expressed in the online world and were able to better understand and reconnect in real life. The project is a pioneering proof of concept demonstrating the positive impact technology can have in advancing positive change in the youth mental health epidemic, which has been worsened by their struggle to balance two distinct online and offline identities.

The 3D avatars not only resembled each participant but were built to be able to respond to real-time conversation – adjusting their tones, movements, and facial expressions based on the discussion. To do that the avatars were trained on data that came directly from each participant’s online persona.

According to new research from Lenovo, almost half (48%) of Gen Zs say talking to a trained professional would give them the confidence to talk more openly with the people they love in the real world.

In an effort to expand mental health support and resources for people in need, Lenovo has partnered with several organizations, such as Shout, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service based in the UK; Crisis Text Line, a non-profit organization that provides free, 24/7 confidential text-based mental health support in both English and Spanish for anyone in the US and Puerto Rico; and Anata no Ibasho in Japan. These organizations train real people who are then supervised by mental health professional staff, offering support to millions in need.

The digital versions of the two Gen Z participants were created by weaving together data from across their social media, blog, and forum handles securely with their consent. The data was trained and tested, and the project designed and brought to life with Lenovo devices, services, software, servers, and cloud solutions. This is the first time ever that Lenovo solutions have come together to develop an avatar of this kind. Devices and solutions include Lenovo ThinkStation™ workstations; ThinkCentre™ desktop computers; Lenovo Legion™, ThinkBook™ and Yoga™ laptops; Lenovo tablets; ThinkVision™ monitors and accessories; motorola razr smartphones; ThinkEdge™ SE450 Edge Server; AI Professional Services and Lenovo | Dropbox Cloud Storage.

“Technology can become the bridge that shortens distances, making powerful human-to-human connection faster and more accessible to people in moments of need,” said Dr. Shairi Turner, Chief Health Officer at Crisis Text Line. “Whether someone is in a classroom, at a family event, or lying awake at night, the power of a text conversation with another human offers solace in anonymity and compassion without judgement. It is truly brave to reach out for support.”

Crisis Text Line reports that more than 70% of its texters are under the age of 25. Its text-based service helps people of all ages but was specifically created for young people allowing for on-demand support through text message.

Anyone who sees themselves in these films, struggling to reconcile their online and offline identities and more deeply connect with their friends and family, or who simply needs advice on how to reach out to someone close to them, can reach out for support by messaging Shout (UK), Crisis Text Line (US), or Anata no Ibasho (Japan).

“We recognize the importance of achieving a healthy digital balance for our overall mental wellbeing,” commented Emily Ketchen, global vice president and CMO of Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets at Lenovo. “With huge advancements in AI and smarter technologies, now is the time to explore and pilot creative new ways to use technology like AI thoughtfully and responsibly, for the greater good. Lenovo is uniquely positioned to lead here thanks to having one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of smarter technology—from AI devices to IT solutions—that can work seamlessly together to benefit our society and the next generation. Ultimately, we hope that through our ‘Meet Your Digital Self’ social experiment we can spark meaningful conversations that contribute to the mental wellbeing of individuals and communities worldwide.”

Chinatsu Hoashi, Gen Z participant from Japan comments: “Taking part in the ‘Meet Your Digital Self’ social experiment has definitely helped strengthen relationships with my family. By using technology and AI, I was able to open up more and convey what I always wanted them know. This has had a positive impact on my mental health, as I can finally express feelings I have been avoiding telling people because I was too embarrassed.”

Oscar Jackson-Walsh, Gen Z participant from UK comments: “Taking part in this social experiment has helped me to become more confident and bridge the gap between myself and my online persona. It has also enabled me to have more open conversations with my family around my identity, which has not only made me feel more loved and accepted than ever before, but also less alone and anxious in a family space.”

Watch the ‘Meet Your Digital Self’ videos here:

The Evolution of Work For Humankind: https://youtu.be/X-r74EHhudwMeet Your Digital Self, Chinatsu | Work For Humankind: https://youtu.be/fNHIJFfGvHcMeet Your Digital Self, Oscar | Work For Humankind: https://youtu.be/RAPN71vErUQ

We are committed to fostering the next generation of leaders in the utility industry. Our summer internship program offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and build meaningful connections within the company. Through engaging projects and mentorship, our interns are equipped to make significant contributions and grow both personally and professionally.

Mathew Sweeney, one of our talented summer interns, shared some of his experiences and insights from his time with us.

Q: Can you introduce yourself?

A: My name is Matthew Sweeney, and I’m from Milford, Delaware. This summer I interned with the Construction and Maintenance department at Delmarva Power. A little bit about myself – I’m a rising senior studying advertising and digital marketing at York College of Pennsylvania. Yep, that’s right. I’m a marketing major in C&M, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Q: What were some of the major projects you worked on during your internship?

A: My time in Construction and Maintenance saw me taking on several major projects. One of my critical responsibilities was providing organizational support to a head engineer by sorting and streamlining his job application inbox. I also hosted a beach clean-up event, where twenty employees and I removed a large amount of trash from one of our local beaches.

Q: Did you have any experiences outside of your main department?

A: Yes, beyond my C&M projects, I took initiative and reached out to several people in the Communications and Marketing department. This gave me the opportunity to take on communications projects alongside shadowing a senior marketing specialist at Carneys Point.

Q: What new knowledge did you gain during your internship?

A: Through my time in this internship, I gained invaluable knowledge about the utility industry. I learned all about the local energy grid through lessons and tours, as well as how Delmarva Power operates as a business.

Q: How did you grow personally and professionally during this experience?

A: Alongside learning, I was able to connect with many new people. I am a quiet person, so meeting new people can be tough. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone by networking with various employees, and it paid off. If it wasn’t for me reaching out, I would have never learned about our Communications and Marketing department and met so many great individuals.

Q: What was your overall impression of the internship program?

A: My internship experience was incredibly rewarding. The individuals who organized this program deserve significant recognition, and I am grateful for the opportunity to experience this company and connect with so many wonderful people. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and hope to secure a future opportunity with this company.

Originally published in FedEx’s 2023 FedEx Cares Report

Accelerating Latino progress

FedEx Hispanic Action Network (HAN) members participated in the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) Conference, themed “Accelerating Latino Progress.” They engaged in 20+ workshops on topics like mental health, culture, and education, fostering connections and learning. FedEx representatives, including regional communications specialist Jerry Alvaré and Managing Director Peggy Carrera, contributed to workshops and forums, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity and celebrating cultural heritage.

I welcome events like these where I can share why FedEx is a great company. Building a diverse talent pipeline will only make us stronger and more competitive.

Peggy Carrera 
Managing Director, Linehaul Engineering, FedEx Ground

A legacy of acceptance

Since 2005, FedEx has contributed over $2 million to LGBTQ+ causes, including the Matthew Shepard Foundation. In June 2023, the FedEx LGBTQ+ & Friends Network hosted Matthew’s parents Judy and Dennis at our World Headquarters to discuss how everyone can play a role in challenging hate and discrimination and promoting greater equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community

We’re all an ‘other’ to somebody. People around the world are victimized for different reasons – our hope is to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of every individual and community.

Judy Shepard

An inclusive and multicultural book fair

Books serve as mirrors reflecting our identities and windows into diverse experiences. However, many children lack stories that resonate with their backgrounds. Recognizing this, FedEx Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) organized a Multicultural Children’s Book Drive and collected over 38,000 books. The books were distributed to 50 nonprofit organizations focused on enriching children’s perspectives and fostering a sense of belonging.

It takes a village. The Book Drive not only makes an impact but fosters collaboration and allyship among all our ERGs. I am proud of the 225 event leaders, Human Resources reps, and our organizing team who made this book drive a reality!

Rachee Powell 
Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at FedEx Ground

Read more

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

August 12, 2024 /3BL/ – The Boston-based sustainability nonprofit advocacy organization Ceres has announced new co-chairs of its Board of Directors and members to its President’s Council.

In February, the Ceres Board of Directors unanimously approved Inherent Group CEO Tony Davis and Janet Ranganathan, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Strategy, Learning, and Results at the World Resources Institute (WRI), as its new Board co-chairs.

“I am honored to serve as co-chair of the Ceres Board of Directors,” said Davis. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members and Ceres staff to advance our important mission. Time is short. We must urgently tackle climate change and reduce its impacts on people and the planet. Investors, corporations, and policymakers have a vital role to play—and Ceres is uniquely positioned to work with these groups to improve outcomes for all.”

“I am excited to become co-chair of the Ceres Board, supporting an organization at the forefront of transforming capital markets by harnessing the power of its investor and corporate networks,” said Ranganathan. “Ceres leads with courage, forging a more inclusive and sustainable future for our planet.”

Ceres former Board chair, Barney Schauble, Senior Advisor at Nephila, stepped down in June after 13 years on the Board, of which seven he served as chair. Schauble now serves on Ceres President’s Council.

“I was proud to serve on the Ceres Board for 13 years, the last seven as chair, before stepping down this summer. I am delighted that Tony and Janet have agreed to lead the Board as co-chairs and I am excited to see the ongoing evolution of Ceres under their leadership,” said Schauble. “I believe Ceres plays a unique role at the intersection of climate, sustainability, and capital markets, and I look forward to continuing my involvement with the organization as a President’s Council member.”

“It has been a tremendous pleasure to work alongside Barney, and I am incredibly grateful for his steadfast leadership and support,” said Ceres CEO and President Mindy Lubber. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Tony and Janet as Ceres looks ahead to continue to address the systemic threats of climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and nature and biodiversity loss during this consequential period.”

Ceres has also welcomed two new President’s Council members: Kunle Apampa, Director and Head of Client Solutions at Capricorn Investment Group, and Missy Grace, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Alpine Rewards. Members serve as ambassadors for Ceres and help to enhance the organization’s impact through direct support, expertise, and outreach.

“I am honored to join the Ceres President’s Council and to be part of a community that is committed to driving sustainable change,” said Apampa. “I look forward to contributing to our collective efforts in advancing best practices that will shape a more resilient and equitable future for all.”

“I am thrilled to join the Ceres President’s Council because I care deeply about creating a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable world,” said Grace. “The Council allows me to work with others who share my passion and to take real steps toward making a positive impact on the environment and society.”

Ceres Board is made up of 25 members and the President’s Council is made up of 34 members. Learn more here. 

Meet our new Board co-chairs:

Tony Davis 
Tony Davis is CEO and CIO of Inherent Group, an investment management firm focused on the equity and credit markets. The firm uses environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors to source and underwrite core investments. Through its engagement with companies, the firm aims to inspire investors and managers to incorporate sustainability into their decisions and to encourage business more broadly to address environmental and social challenges. Inherent manages $1 billion in public and private investments.

Janet Ranganathan 
Janet Ranganathan is the Managing Director and Executive Vice President for Strategy, Learning, and Results at WRI, a global research organization that addresses the urgent sustainability challenges related to food, forests, water, climate, energy, cities and the ocean. She leads the development and execution of WRI’s five-year strategy and oversees WRI’s Research Integrity, Managing for Results, and Data Lab teams.

Meet our new President’s Council members: 

Kunle Apampa

Kunle Apampa is a Director and Head of Client Solutions at Capricorn Investment Group, one of the largest mission-aligned investment firms globally managing $9 billion in assets on behalf of families, foundations, and institutional investors. Kunle is responsible for the growth of Capricorn as an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) for private families and foundations.

Missy Grace

Missy Grace is an executive with more than three decades of management consulting, human resources, leadership development and operations experience in boutique consulting firms, technology start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. She is currently one of the Founders and the Chief Operating Officer of Alpine Rewards, a strategic advisory firm focusing on executive compensation and employee rewards in the Life Sciences and Technology sectors.

About Ceres 

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line—changing markets and sectors from the inside out. For more information, visit ceres.org.

Media Contact: Sara Sciammacco, mediainquiries@ceres.org

Doing good and giving back are not just catch phrases for us — they’re core to who we are. Recently, we spoke with Los Angeles-based teammate Renu Mevasse, who’s making an impact fighting hunger in her community through her commitment to her local food bank.

How long have you been involved with Westside Food Bank, and what motivates you to continue volunteering with them?   

I have been volunteering with Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District x Westside Food Bank through the Weekend Bag Program for the past 10 years and recently started volunteering directly with the Westside Food Bank this year. 

I continue to volunteer with them because I see the direct impact the program makes to the kids and families in our community. Each week during the school year, SMMUSD x Westside Food Bank provides food to families, especially on the weekends, to help supplement nutritional gaps. And during the summer, the food bank continues to support these families when school is not in session.

What impact have you seen from the food bank’s efforts in the community, and how do you feel being part of this initiative? 

Did you know that 1 in 5 American children is food insecure? While almost 30 million students in the U.S. receive free or reduced-priced meals during the school year, when school lets out for summer break, millions of these kids go hungry. In Los Angeles County specifically, that equates to 1 in 4 households with kids.  Westside Food Bank serves LA county, so I believe that our collective efforts help in some small way. 

Can you share a memorable experience from your volunteering efforts?  

In June, I volunteered with fellow LA-based Clorox teammates to pack meal kits for kids. School-provided meal programs are often the only consistent source of nutrition for students, so summer is a critical time for food insecurity. We stepped away from our desks for a few hours and packed more than 250 meal kits. As a bonus, it gave us the opportunity to get to know each other better!

How has your experience on The Clorox Company Foundation board of trustees influenced your approach to community service? 

I joined the board of trustees because I believe in the mission and giving back to our communities, especially in smaller and more personal ways. Being involved in my community brings a greater purpose and balance to my life. I also love being on the board because it gives me a better appreciation for all the ways each one of us can give back.

How do you balance your volunteer work with your professional responsibilities? 

I am passionate about helping families (especially children) overcome food insecurity, but with a busy work and family life, I wanted a consistent opportunity that I could stick with. The great thing about SMMUSD and the Westside Food Bank is that I can volunteer for an hour a week delivering weekend food bags to the different schools while on my way to and from picking up my own kids. Or I can take advantage of Summer Fridays and take a half day to volunteer with friends, family or coworkers. The key to volunteering is to find something that you are passionate about and then take one small action. Sometimes that’s all the time you have. But even that small action can make a big impact in someone else’s life!

In South Central Los Angeles, 26.5% of the population lives below the poverty line—a figure that is more than double the national average of 12.5%. To help alleviate some of the economic hardship that the community is facing, AEG’s LA Galaxy, in partnership with Herbalife, hosted a back-to-school event and a community health and resource fair at A Place Called Home on August 2, 2024, for 1,000 underserved students as they prepare for the upcoming academic year.

Several LA Galaxy players including Edwin Cerrillo, John McCarthy, Mauricio Cuevas, Tucker Lepley, Isaiah Parente, and Jalen Neal, helped distribute backpacks filled with essential school supplies, including pencils, crayons, rulers, notebooks, calculators, and pens. Additionally, along with the players, Joe Tutino, sports broadcaster of the LA Galaxy, and LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz were on hand to meet the families and play pep rally games.

The event also included a Community Health and Resource Fair that provided students and their families with vital services including on-site optometry screenings, vaccinations, and on-site daycare, as well as information about job opportunities, housing resources, city services, and school readiness programs.

“For many families, the financial burden of getting kids ready to go back to school purchasing school essentials can be overwhelming,” said Felicia Hano, Community Relations Coordinator at the LA Galaxy. “By providing these resources, the event not only eases that burden but also ensures that students are prepared and confident as they start the school year.”

A Place Called Home inspires, encourages, and supports the young people in South Los Angeles to achieve social, emotional, and economic success. Since its founding in 1993, A Place Called Home has directly served more than 20,000 youth members through its core school day, after-school and summer programming, and over 150,000 residents through family and supportive services including food, clothing, and holiday toy distributions, counseling, voter education, and community organizing. For more information, visit apch.org.

Herbalife is a premier health and wellness company and community that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life. For more information, please visit Herbalife.com and follow on Instagram @HerbalifeUSA.

The LA Galaxy is Major League Soccer’s most successful club. Based in Carson, Calif. at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy have won the MLS Cup a record five times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014), the MLS Supporters’ Shield four times (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005), and one Concacaf Champions Cup (2000) since their inception in 1996. Under the direction of LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun on the business operations side and LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney on the soccer operations side, the Galaxy are the premier club in MLS, with stars like Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Riqui Puig, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Javier Hernandez and Cobi Jones representing LA over the team’s 27 years in MLS. For more information on the LA Galaxy, visit www.lagalaxy.com.

Originally published by rollingout on July 11th

As you begin your journey toward a family of your own, you may be thinking about how to set new family traditions that build financial confidence and prosperity. From starting a business to owning a home and watching your kid graduate (maybe even crossing the stage at Howard University or Florida A&M), these goals and traditions can be within reach. That’s something to celebrate and go after!

But as your success gains momentum, you might have questions about what to do financially. That’s OK, we’re here to help so you don’t have to go at it alone.

Family milestones—like seeing your kids graduate without a huge amount of college debt or supporting your community—take planning. Storing cash or leaving money in a savings account will only get you so far. The key is to get started now and take advantage of financial tools, including some you may not have heard enough about.

To help you reach financial confidence and set new family finance traditions, consider these five key steps:

1. Prepare for your family’s education

While there are several tax-advantaged accounts that let you save for education, the most common is a 529 plan. The account will grow tax-free, then as long as your beneficiary uses the money for qualified educational expenses, they won’t owe federal tax when they withdraw the funds. And there are new opportunities to use the money for a beneficiary’s retirement if it’s not used for education. Most states do not tax qualified payouts (distributions), and you even get credit or tax deductions now.

2. Save so that you don’t have to work some day

Retirement for us will be different from what our parents and grandparents had. It’s smart to put money away for retirement as soon as you’re able, so check whether your employer offers a plan like a 401(k) or 403(b). These accounts allow you to save on taxes as you save for a comfortable retirement, and you typically contribute the money directly from your payroll. If you’re self-employed or a plan isn’t available through work, look into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). It’ll work a little differently than an account sponsored by your employer, but will help you save—while keeping more of your money instead of paying it in taxes.

Investments can be a great way to grow your money over time. But investments alone can leave you vulnerable. That’s why it’s so important to include strategies to help protect the income that you’ll use to create generational wealth.

3. Safeguard your family’s financial stability 

You may think of life insurance for funeral expenses, but there’s much more to it. A policy helps your family’s financial stability if you pass away earlier than expected. Life insurance can help ensure your loved ones may be able to keep the family home, avoid picking up another job and achieve their college dreams.

You have many types of life insurance to choose from to meet your needs and your budget. Term life insurance will pay a death benefit during a certain time frame. But there’s also permanent life insurance, which pays a death benefit no matter when you die—and includes additional benefits that you can use when you’re alive.

Whole life insurance, for example, provides a life-long death benefit and builds cash value that’s guaranteed to grow year after year. Once your policy builds up cash value, you can access it for any reason, like to upgrade your house, help pay for education or take advantage of a business opportunity. But accessing cash value reduces your death benefit.

4. Strengthen your family’s safety net 

Your ability to earn a living is probably the most important financial asset you have—it funds all of your expenses and goals for the future. While it may not seem like it, even an ordinary paycheck adds up over time. All your pay will total hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe even millions over your lifetime. Unfortunately, disability is fairly common—about one in four people will become disabled by illness or injury before age 67.1

Disability income insurance can provide a critical safety net, allowing you to cover your expenses and continue building your wealth if you’re unable to work due to injury or illness.

5. Talk to a financial pro

The good news is that you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. Talking with a financial expert can be a game changer. In fact, Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Planning and Progress study showed that, on average, African Americans who work with us:

expect to retire more than two years earlier (age 61.1 versus 63.5)plan to pay off college debt 5.5 years faster (pay off at age 40.7 versus 46.2)have nearly three times as much in retirement savings ($71K versus $26K)

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1. Based on today’s 20-year-olds. U.S. Social Security Administration Fact Sheet.

This article is part of a paid program.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. This article is not intended as legal or tax advice. Consult with a tax professional for tax advice that is specific to your situation.

International Olympic Committee news

The Games are the first to be fully aligned with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s strategic roadmap, Olympic Agenda 2020, with sustainability and legacy driving every aspect of their planning and delivery. Olympic Agenda 2020 shapes the future of the Olympic Movement and the Games, making them more sustainable, cost-effective and aligned with the needs of the host communities, and the challenges of our times.

“When the IOC put together the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020, our ambition was to make the Games more sustainable, more responsible and useful for the host population,” said Tania Braga, IOC Head of Impact and Legacy, speaking at a joint IOC-Paris 2024 press briefing dedicated to sustainability and legacy. “This translates into reducing the footprint and minimising any negative impacts of the Games, while creating positive benefits for the hosting population well before the Games start.

The idea is that the Games adapt to the hosts and to the needs of the local population. Legacy and sustainability have become central to all aspects of the Games, from the initial moments of dialogue before the candidature, to decades after. Paris 2024 has done an amazing job in bringing this ambition to reality.

Tania Braga
IOC Head of Impact and Legacy

Delivering more sustainable Games

Amongst Paris 2024’s key sustainability commitments is the objective to cut the carbon footprint of the event by 50 per cent compared to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 average, aligning with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

“We believe the Games can change society, but that they also have to evolve with it,” said Georgina Grenon, Paris 2024 Director for Environmental Excellence. “Today, we’re proving that the Olympic Games can provide and showcase concrete solutions to secure climate ambition, to protect biodiversity and to develop much higher circularity – and that is across all operations.

These are Games that deliver more with less, better, while leaving a long-lasting legacy. For that we have turned the Games into a laboratory and a springboard for innovation.

Georgina Grenon
Paris 2024 Director for Environmental Excellence

Ninety-five per cent of Paris 2024 venues are either existing or temporary. All venues are powered by renewable energy and accessible by public transport, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. Paris 2024 has also significantly cut its use of resources compared to previous Games, prioritising renting and sharing over buying, and controlling the full lifecycle of resources – before, during and after the Games. To date, a second life for 90 per cent of equipment and goods has been secured.

Creating lasting social benefits

Millions of people and businesses across France have benefitted from the Games initiatives even long before the event’s kick-off.

“We are fully aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020 and we worked to maximise positive impacts of the Games for those who need them the most,” said Marie Barsacq, Paris 2024 Director for Impact and Legacy. “Today in France we can prove that sport is not only about high performance and sport practice, it also has a massive social impact. This is a key factor for achieving long-term legacy.”

Paris 2024 has focused on bringing more sport to more people, particularly the young. The Games have helped introduce 30 minutes of daily physical activity into French primary schools, provided free swimming lessons to over 36,000 children across France, and engaged 5 million young people across eight editions of Olympic and Paralympic Week.

The Games have also generated substantial economic opportunities for their hosts. More than 181,000 people have been employed in Games-related jobs, boosting the local job market. Ninety per cent of suppliers are French, with 78 per cent being small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Games are expected to generate between EUR 6.9 and EUR 11.1 billion in economic activity within the Paris metropolitan area, significantly benefitting the local economy.

Seine-Saint-Denis – one of the poorest and youngest areas in France and the heart of Paris 2024 – stands to gain significantly from the Games, with 80 per cent of the public investment targeting the region. The Aquatics Centre, strategically located there, will be transformed after the Games into a multisport facility, featuring fitness areas, a climbing wall, a skatepark and more. The Olympic Village, also in Seine-Saint-Denis, will become a new residential district with 2,800 apartments for 6,000 people, 25 per cent of which will be social housing.

“Today, Paris 2024 is proving that it is possible to stage spectacular, inclusive and unique Games in a more responsible, more sustainable and more useful manner,” said Braga. “We can say that Paris has already established new standards for more sustainable events and more sustainable Olympic Games overall.”

Read more about all you need to know about Paris 2024 Sustainability and Legacy.