Tag: 3BL

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 22, 2024 /3BL/ – National tech training nonprofit Per Scholas launches its new campus in Kansas City, joining Great Jobs KC, the leading workforce development program in Kansas City, to provide holistic information technology training and career development opportunities. 

This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in addressing the growing demand for skilled IT professionals in the region. Per Scholas Kansas City will offer its no-cost technology skills training from its newest campus located at Offices at Park 39, 300 E 39th St., Kansas City, MO. In addition to Great Jobs KC selecting and investing in Per Scholas, Per Scholas Kansas City has received generous support from Comcast NBCUniversal, Cortex, Missouri Tech First Initiative powered by Cortex, and the NFL Foundation.

At the heart of this collaboration lies the shared commitment to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the ever-advancing tech industry. Per Scholas brings its renowned approach to IT training, which integrates technical education with professional development, including soft and hard skills. Through this partnership, Great Jobs KC and Per Scholas learners will undergo a comprehensive 13-week program designed to equip them with the expertise and confidence needed to excel in the IT field. After graduation, learners will work with Great Jobs KC Employer Engagement Managers as well as Per Scholas’ Talent Solutions professionals to ensure job attainment.

“We are excited to expand our reach to the Kansas City region through this partnership with Great Jobs KC. By combining our expertise in IT training with their proven track record of workforce development, we are poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the economic vitality of the region. We are grateful for their investment and the support of Missouri Tech First, Cortex, the NFL Foundation, and Comcast NBCUniversal,” said Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala.

“Per Scholas’ new Kansas City campus is an exciting development for the region’s workforce,” said Governor Mike Parson. “This initiative is another example of the collaborative partnerships that are investing in our communities and state’s economy. By equipping Missourians with skills needed for high-tech jobs, Per Scholas is helping pave the way for a stronger workforce, more resilient economy, and prosperous future.”

“Per Scholas is providing cutting-edge training that’s helping Missourians prosper by preparing them for jobs in the technology industry,” said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “We’re grateful for the efforts of this organization as it opens doors for those entering the workforce or sharpening their skills in the Kansas City region.”

The Per Scholas Kansas City campus will serve as a hub for innovative learning and career advancement, and offer comprehensive training for CompTIA A+ certification, a globally recognized credential validating foundational IT skills, as well as Google IT Support certification. These skills and certifications will position alumni for success with Kansas City region employers.

Per Scholas Kansas City’s inaugural cohort launched in May, beginning with its best-in-class IT Support course. Applications are open, and interested individuals can learn more and apply here for upcoming cohorts. Prospective learners must be at least 18 years or older, possess at least a high school diploma, authorized to work in the U.S., have a passion for technology, and have availability to be placed in a tech role following completion of the training.

“We frequently hear from companies that the most important asset in a tech economy is talent,” said Sam Fiorello, President & CEO, Cortex. “Per Scholas is a model that proves that there are many paths beyond a four-year college degree for preparing someone for a successful tech career. We are proud to expand this training asset beyond the St. Louis region through our Missouri Tech First, powered by Cortex, initiative.”

Per Scholas Kansas City is the nonprofit’s second campus in Missouri, joining Per Scholas St. Louis, which has been training technologists in a variety of tech skills since the Cortex Innovation District brought the organization to St. Louis in 2022.

“Equipping Missourians with the most in-demand skills and industry-informed training to navigate current and future opportunities is a business imperative as much as it is just,” said Kieran Blanks, VP of Workforce Systems at Cortex, which is spearheading the $7 million Missouri Tech First Initiative. “By strategically investing in our workforce and cultivating innovation, we are positioning Missouri as a national frontrunner in the digital economy, enticing companies seeking elite tech talent.”

Aligned with its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color, more than 40 percent identify as women, and more than half have a high school diploma as their highest education credential. Per Scholas graduates are hired into tech roles by more than 850 employer partners nationwide, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. The Per Scholas model is proven and evidence-based. Per Scholas-trained technologists go on to earn three times their pre-training wage in their first job following graduation. Plus, every dollar invested in Per Scholas results in an $8 net economic return.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Per Scholas to bring their transformative IT training program to Kansas City,” said Jimmy Swift, Great Jobs KC Chief Program Officer. “This partnership represents a significant investment in the future of our workforce, providing individuals with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and pursue fulfilling careers in the thriving tech industry.”

“Per Scholas expansion into Kansas City will undoubtedly help build a diverse and thriving workforce by providing access to skills training for in-demand tech careers,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. “Through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and economic mobility, we’re thrilled to partner with Per Scholas in their ongoing work to connect future technologists with leading businesses. We look forward to what we will continue to achieve together.”

“The NFL is proud to support the launch of Per Scholas’ Kansas City campus as they continue to break barriers and create positive social change,” said NFL Vice President, Social Responsibility Clare Graff. “Through Per Scholas’ no-cost tech training, individuals, particularly people of color, are empowered to enter the tech industry and launch thriving careers – a mission that aligns with the NFL’s commitment to create a more equitable society through our Inspire Change social justice initiative.”

To learn more about Great Jobs KC, click here. To learn more about Per Scholas Kansas City, click here, and follow Per Scholas Kansas City on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Authored by Jordan Anderson, Jessica Drexler

As organizations strive to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market, leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI) can offer unprecedented opportunities to streamline workflows and seamlessly connect data points. But the path to successful AI implementation goes beyond technology adoption –ou requiring careful consideration of how AI will be deployed, adopted and used throughout the workforce.

Organizations looking to succeed need to take a holistic approach, rooted in strategy and governance, that considers various aspects of organizational readiness. Providing the tools and resources needed to adapt to new processes and technologies will help prepare your workforce for the change and increase the likelihood of its success. This innovative approach plays a crucial role in shaping effective AI change management strategies.

Setting the foundation

As with any initiative, it’s important to establish strategic alignment by clearly defining the purpose and objectives behind the initiative, understanding where your organization is headed in the long term and clarifying how generative AI fits into your strategic vision, mission and values to ensure your AI investment contributes meaningfully to your organization’s goals. Establishing the role AI contributes to the overarching strategy goals and objectives promotes priority for the investment of time and resources across the organization.

Additionally, the commitment of leadership is pivotal as your leaders need to actively champion generative AI adoption and communicate its strategic importance to ensure buy-in across all levels of your organization. Regular communication helps to address any concerns early on, builds trust and employee engagement and fosters a culture mindset shift that embraces innovation, continuous learning and adaptability. Active and visible leadership support further promotes the prioritization and attention required to drive buy-in and commitment required for successful adoption.

Conducting a thorough organizational assessment of your current workforce capabilities, including resource capacity, workforce skills and past success in sustaining change can help to identify both existing strengths and areas in need of improvement prior to launching initiatives. By conducting an organizational readiness assessment early in your transformation journey your organization is provided the necessary time and flexibility to mitigate any potential risks and adjust strategies accordingly.

The assessment of individual change readiness at the role level will provide essential insights to the level of effort required to effectively prepare and transition people into the new operating environment. When AI is introduced without proper preparation, employees may revert to familiar manual processes due to a lack of data and AI literacy, leading to a reluctance to adopt. Successful AI deployment requires upskilling your existing workforce while encouraging them to effectively leverage the AI tools you invest in to drive innovation and productivity in their daily workflow.

Leverage effective change management practices

While organizational readiness focuses on your organization’s overall preparedness and ability to adapt to the changes generative AI will bring, change management homes in on the processes of managing, implementing and sustaining the changes within your organization. Leveraging effective change management practices can help your organization enhance data and AI literacy, create shared understanding, build confidence and drive cultural alignment to democratize the use of data and AI while fostering understanding within your workforce.

Your organization can get started by developing a comprehensive change management plan that works in direct support of the AI project implementation plan, outlining the steps, timelines and resources needed to successfully transition people through implementation to the live environment. It’s also important to consider the cultural nuances of your organization and tailor your plan accordingly. Once your plan is set, it’s critical that you effectively communicate through multiple channels to your workforce, leveraging change champions to further rally support and generate buy-in. Be transparent about the goals, progress and impact generative AI will have on the organization and encourage feedback from your workforce to address any resistance proactively.

Establishing comprehensive training programs and skills development will work to build data and AI literacy while ensuring that employees at all levels acquire the necessary skills to utilize generative AI technologies. These programs should be tailored to different roles and skill levels to establish an organization-wide understanding of generative AI functions, its potential applications and how it aligns with existing job functions. This will also create opportunities for employees to collaborate, share best practices and learn from each other, strengthening the commitment to embracing generative AI across your organization.

Ultimately, utilizing change management practices will ensure that the adoption of generative AI is integrated into your organization’s operating system and ways of working. By promoting a culture of experimentation, collaboration and continuous learning, your employees are encouraged to explore new ideas as they engage with generative AI technologies.

AI readiness assessment

Organizational readiness plays a fundamental role in achieving and sustaining a successful generative AI implementation by laying the foundation for everyone across your organization to understand and embrace the incoming change. Engaging in an AI readiness assessment ensures that your organization doesn’t skip the critical step of assessing your current state in order to identify and address risks prior to implementing AI. By ensuring you consider your strategic alignment and workforce readiness and have change management processes in place to manage the implementation, your organization can ensure a more holistic and successful approach to generative AI adoption.

How we can help

Baker Tilly’s digital solutions team provides AI consulting services that help your organization take a more holistic approach to AI adoption by ensuring careful consideration of how AI will be deployed, adopted and used throughout your workforce. Interested in learning more? Contact a Baker Tilly specialist to learn more.

STAMFORD, Conn., July 22, 2024 /3BL/ – Keep America Beautiful the leading nonprofit dedicated to inspiring people to take action every day to improve and beautify their communities, has selected Carol Cone ON PURPOSE (CCOP), a leading social impact consultancy, to develop strategies, creative engagement and partnership relations to launch and activate the Greatest American Cleanup.

On July 4, 2026, the United States will reach a historic milestone: the nation’s 250th birthday. Commencing today and spanning the next two years, the Greatest American Cleanup will engage 25,000 communities to collect 25 billion pieces of debris to clean, green, and beautify the nation. More importantly, Keep America Beautiful and its partners will lead the way in rekindling community pride, helping our nation overcome the fear and divisiveness plaguing the country, creating shared hope across all communities, and shaping a beautiful future for all Americans. Watch the launch video here.

“This is an historic cleanup for an historic moment,” said Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Jennifer Lawson. “As Americans come together to celebrate our 250th birthday, we all have a role to play in making our nation look its very best. We’re inviting all Americans to join us as we pay tribute to the proud legacy and can-do spirit of our beautiful country.”

Today, Keep America Beautiful—together with more than 700 nationwide affiliates, sponsors and local, state and federal government entities—are calling upon all individuals and community groups to visit kab.org/greatest and take action to “do beautiful things” in their neighborhoods, towns, cities and states.

The Coca-Cola Company, a long-time supporter of Keep America Beautiful, is one of the Greatest American Cleanup’s founding partners. Additional national partners include Hilton Hotels & Resorts, iHeart Media, Niagara Cares, and many others.

The nation’s 250th birthday is a unique and unprecedented opportunity for companies to connect with all Americans, get hands-on, and be part of history. The Greatest American Cleanup will offer countless engagement opportunities for companies of all sizes and industries to join forces with Keep America Beautiful in a movement that goes far beyond picking up trash—including designations of the nation’s top 250 cleanest and greenest communities, tree plantings, recycling drives, restoration projects, and groundbreaking research on civic engagement through beautification. Companies can team up with employees, consumers, and influencers to create an enduring legacy of beauty in their communities, present exclusive awards to shine a spotlight on the most stunning community transformations, or orchestrate a call to kids across the country to design the next Keep America Beautiful mascot/symbol of community pride.

This work will be led directly by Carol Cone and a team managed by her long-term collaborators Kristian Merenda and Audrey Sylvia, industry veterans who created the GO RED for Women movement in 2004, named one of the top 20 campaigns of the last two decades. Joining CCOP in igniting the Greatest American Cleanup movement is digital marketing leader Matchfire, a Purpose Collaborative member.

“We are thrilled to partner with Keep America Beautiful on this critically-important initiative to bring Americans together around our nation’s 250th birthday,” said Carol Cone, CEO of Carol Cone ON PURPOSE. “The Greatest American Cleanup will be an iconic moment for companies to play a lead role in delivering social benefits, economic advantages, environmental impact and improved mental and physical health for all Americans—all through this simple call to action to keep our communities clean, green and beautiful.”

Individuals, community groups, companies, government entities and like-minded nonprofits interested in joining the movement should visit kab.org/greatest to learn more and declare their support for the Greatest American Cleanup.

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify America’s communities.

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About Keep America Beautiful

Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful® strives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify America’s communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful® affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

About Carol Cone ON PURPOSE

Carol Cone ON PURPOSE (CCOP) is a pioneering social impact consultancy helping companies, brands, and nonprofits harness the power of purpose to advance their business and societal impact. CCOP’s proven approach, developed over decades and hundreds of purpose assignments, meets clients at any point on their purpose journey to unlock opportunities to build reputation, inspire and engage employees, ignite organizational culture for innovation and growth, while supporting the greater good.

Disruptive and highly creative solutions are core to CCOP, including the creation of My Special Aflac Duck, a social robot for children with cancer. Recognitions include: Tech for a Better World at CES, Time Magazine’s Best Inventions, two Cannes Lions, and People’s Choice Award at SXSW. The consultancy is led by Carol Cone, regarded as one of the founders of the purpose movement, which she’s shaped since 1983 through her client work, Purpose 360 Podcast, and research. Carol is also chair of the Purpose Collaborative, CCOP’s global network of 40+ firms that collaborate on client assignments through custom-designed “dream teams.” Learn more at www.carolconeonpurpose.com.

Mastercard

By Payal Dalal and Christine Svarer

Across the garment sector, women take on demanding roles with a dual purpose: to sustain their families today and lay the groundwork for a secure tomorrow. However, many are paid cash wages and lack access to financial services, limiting their ability to save and putting them at risk for theft. They often have less control over their earnings, frequently handing over some or all of their income to a family member.

For employers, cash wages are inefficient because counting and distribution are time-consuming processes. Transportation and holding cash on premises expose them to a risk of theft.

Responsible wage digitalization, along with gender responsive financial capability training, holds the potential to address these challenges and contribute to social and economic progress. For millions of garment workers, it promises transparency in pay, access to formal financial accounts, a secure place to save and with the right support, increased economic agency and empowerment. There is also an opportunity to move beyond financial inclusion to improve financial health with programs and products that enable garment workers to better manage daily expenses, handle emergencies, stay on track to reach future goals, and feel confident and in control of their money.

Investing in women’s financial health can have a multiplier effect. Research has shown that when women have greater control over household finances, they tend to invest in essential needs like food security, health and education, leading to better outcomes for families and communities. For businesses, wage digitalization can enhance efficiency and demonstrate wage compliance in factories, create new market segments for financial service providers, and contribute to broader economic stability and growth. This shift can progress countries toward achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a more inclusive and resilient economy.

[Following wage digitization], I know when my salary is coming in. I can pay utility bills, I can easily transfer money to my parents, I can make a loan payment through my account, and I can withdraw and deposit cash whenever I want.

Vorn 
Garment worker in Cambodia

Transitioning from cash to digital wages has shown positive outcomes when implemented with a gender-intentional approach, with both women and men garment workers reporting improved financial health and wellbeing. RISE Financial Health training strengthened participants’ financial knowledge and skills, built their trust in financial services and increased their control over household financial decisions. This enabled them to make more informed choices about how wages are spent and saved and helped them build more secure futures for themselves and their families. As a result:

In Cambodia, at the end of the program, 99% of women surveyed were paid into accounts (up 62%-points) and 84% of women reported saving regularly (up 38%-points), linked to having a safe place to keep their savings. This led to 80% of women reporting confidence in their ability to manage a financial emergency within the next two years (up 25%-points).In Egypt, 73% of women workers reported that having a bank account helped them during the COVID-19 crisis because it allowed them to manage their wages more easily.In Bangladesh, there was a 19%-point increase in the share of women reporting more involvement in household decision-making on how to use their earnings. They now discuss how to use their earning with family members.

Wage digitalization also yielded significant payroll and production savings. Factories reported a reduction in the time spent processing, counting, disbursing and auditing payroll: 42% in Egypt, 59% in Bangladesh and 84% in Cambodia, where there are two paydays a month.

With the right support, workers also became active users of financial products and services, creating an active new market segment for financial service providers. For example, in Bangladesh, following participation in RISE Financial Health, workers conducted 8-13 transactions a month, including airtime top up and sending remittances.

In our new working paper ‘Improving financial health and well-being in global supply chains through wage digitalization’, we share insights on how responsible wage digitization, including financial capability training for workers, leads to improvements in financial health. We also outline concrete opportunities for financial health practitioners and policymakers to collaborate with the private sector to create impact at scale with wage digitalization.

Partnerships will be crucial in this effort, which is why the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth has become the anchor partner for RISE’s Financial Health focus area, doubling down on its support for women workers in global garment supply chains.

Together, we will seek to replicate and expand the benefits of responsible wage digitalization to reach more women workers and improve their financial health, including expanding the program to two new markets in 2024, Indonesia and Guatemala, and will continue to share learnings and insights with key stakeholders including financial health practitioners and policymakers.

We recognize that we cannot tackle the complex challenge of expanding global financial health and well-being alone. Collaboration across sectors is essential. The garment industry, with its large women workforce, and the financial services industry, with a foothold in the digital economy, are important partners for policymakers and practitioners to drive global change. Working together, we can accelerate progress and create lasting impact for workers and their families and build more inclusive and resilient economies.

Payal Dalal is executive vice president, global programs, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and Christine Svarer is executive director, RISE (Reimagining Industry to Support Equality). 

Feature photo credit: RISECDS – M.Moawad

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth’s journey to advance equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Mastercard

By Payal Dalal and Christine Svarer

Across the garment sector, women take on demanding roles with a dual purpose: to sustain their families today and lay the groundwork for a secure tomorrow. However, many are paid cash wages and lack access to financial services, limiting their ability to save and putting them at risk for theft. They often have less control over their earnings, frequently handing over some or all of their income to a family member.

For employers, cash wages are inefficient because counting and distribution are time-consuming processes. Transportation and holding cash on premises expose them to a risk of theft.

Responsible wage digitalization, along with gender responsive financial capability training, holds the potential to address these challenges and contribute to social and economic progress. For millions of garment workers, it promises transparency in pay, access to formal financial accounts, a secure place to save and with the right support, increased economic agency and empowerment. There is also an opportunity to move beyond financial inclusion to improve financial health with programs and products that enable garment workers to better manage daily expenses, handle emergencies, stay on track to reach future goals, and feel confident and in control of their money.

Investing in women’s financial health can have a multiplier effect. Research has shown that when women have greater control over household finances, they tend to invest in essential needs like food security, health and education, leading to better outcomes for families and communities. For businesses, wage digitalization can enhance efficiency and demonstrate wage compliance in factories, create new market segments for financial service providers, and contribute to broader economic stability and growth. This shift can progress countries toward achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a more inclusive and resilient economy.

[Following wage digitization], I know when my salary is coming in. I can pay utility bills, I can easily transfer money to my parents, I can make a loan payment through my account, and I can withdraw and deposit cash whenever I want.

Vorn 
Garment worker in Cambodia

Transitioning from cash to digital wages has shown positive outcomes when implemented with a gender-intentional approach, with both women and men garment workers reporting improved financial health and wellbeing. RISE Financial Health training strengthened participants’ financial knowledge and skills, built their trust in financial services and increased their control over household financial decisions. This enabled them to make more informed choices about how wages are spent and saved and helped them build more secure futures for themselves and their families. As a result:

In Cambodia, at the end of the program, 99% of women surveyed were paid into accounts (up 62%-points) and 84% of women reported saving regularly (up 38%-points), linked to having a safe place to keep their savings. This led to 80% of women reporting confidence in their ability to manage a financial emergency within the next two years (up 25%-points).In Egypt, 73% of women workers reported that having a bank account helped them during the COVID-19 crisis because it allowed them to manage their wages more easily.In Bangladesh, there was a 19%-point increase in the share of women reporting more involvement in household decision-making on how to use their earnings. They now discuss how to use their earning with family members.

Wage digitalization also yielded significant payroll and production savings. Factories reported a reduction in the time spent processing, counting, disbursing and auditing payroll: 42% in Egypt, 59% in Bangladesh and 84% in Cambodia, where there are two paydays a month.

With the right support, workers also became active users of financial products and services, creating an active new market segment for financial service providers. For example, in Bangladesh, following participation in RISE Financial Health, workers conducted 8-13 transactions a month, including airtime top up and sending remittances.

In our new working paper ‘Improving financial health and well-being in global supply chains through wage digitalization’, we share insights on how responsible wage digitization, including financial capability training for workers, leads to improvements in financial health. We also outline concrete opportunities for financial health practitioners and policymakers to collaborate with the private sector to create impact at scale with wage digitalization.

Partnerships will be crucial in this effort, which is why the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth has become the anchor partner for RISE’s Financial Health focus area, doubling down on its support for women workers in global garment supply chains.

Together, we will seek to replicate and expand the benefits of responsible wage digitalization to reach more women workers and improve their financial health, including expanding the program to two new markets in 2024, Indonesia and Guatemala, and will continue to share learnings and insights with key stakeholders including financial health practitioners and policymakers.

We recognize that we cannot tackle the complex challenge of expanding global financial health and well-being alone. Collaboration across sectors is essential. The garment industry, with its large women workforce, and the financial services industry, with a foothold in the digital economy, are important partners for policymakers and practitioners to drive global change. Working together, we can accelerate progress and create lasting impact for workers and their families and build more inclusive and resilient economies.

Payal Dalal is executive vice president, global programs, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and Christine Svarer is executive director, RISE (Reimagining Industry to Support Equality). 

Feature photo credit: RISECDS – M.Moawad

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth’s journey to advance equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Sofidel

Welcome to the behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Sofidel 2024 calendar, “We, Sofidel – Food Stories. The Dishes that Tell our Story”. In this exclusive video, we invite you to explore the heartfelt journey of our latest project dedicated to our people and their passion for food.

Explore the creativity, passion, and dedication that Francesca Brambilla and Serena Serrani, among the most distinguished interpreters of food photography in Italy, have poured into capturing the essence of the extraordinary individuals from the countries where our company operates. The scenes unfold in the kitchen of a typical Tuscan estate – Tenuta di Valgiano in Lucca – transformed into a gastronomic experimentation laboratory where people from different cultures meet and share ideas.

Experience the laughter, the shared moments, and the delightful fusion of flavors that symbolize our core values – sustainability, integrity, and community. This is more than a calendar; it’s a celebration of our global family and the culinary traditions that bring us together.

Sofidel presents “We, Sofidel. Food Stories. The dishes that tell our story”

About The Sofidel Group 

The Sofidel Group, a privately held company, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has subsidiaries in 13 countries – Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA – with more than 6,800 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact, the Sofidel Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is committed to promoting sustainable development. For more information, visit www.sofidel.com.

Sofidel

Welcome to the behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Sofidel 2024 calendar, “We, Sofidel – Food Stories. The Dishes that Tell our Story”. In this exclusive video, we invite you to explore the heartfelt journey of our latest project dedicated to our people and their passion for food.

Explore the creativity, passion, and dedication that Francesca Brambilla and Serena Serrani, among the most distinguished interpreters of food photography in Italy, have poured into capturing the essence of the extraordinary individuals from the countries where our company operates. The scenes unfold in the kitchen of a typical Tuscan estate – Tenuta di Valgiano in Lucca – transformed into a gastronomic experimentation laboratory where people from different cultures meet and share ideas.

Experience the laughter, the shared moments, and the delightful fusion of flavors that symbolize our core values – sustainability, integrity, and community. This is more than a calendar; it’s a celebration of our global family and the culinary traditions that bring us together.

Sofidel presents “We, Sofidel. Food Stories. The dishes that tell our story”

About The Sofidel Group 

The Sofidel Group, a privately held company, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has subsidiaries in 13 countries – Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA – with more than 6,800 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact, the Sofidel Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is committed to promoting sustainable development. For more information, visit www.sofidel.com.

At Qurate Retail GroupSM, we continue to make significant advancements towards our critical role in protecting the environment, championing empowerment and belonging, and curating product responsibly. We do this by inspiring a more sustainable way to retail through actions that accelerate business growth and positively impact employees, customers, communities, business partners, and the planet.

One of the myriad ways we inspire a more sustainable way to retail is through our championing empowerment & belonging pillar. This includes a strategic imperative around delivering measurable and differentiated social and community impact through focused cause marketing and giving programs which embrace our responsibility to our stakeholders and society at large. As a result, our 2023 Global Contribution Summary Report highlights the many impactful ways we collectively made a difference last year through the continued commitment of our customers, vendors, and team members to building a brighter future through their contributions to meaningful causes which support our communities.

In 2023, we generated over $33.8 million for more than 1,423 charities worldwide. This includes:

17,000+ team member volunteer hours where we saw a 125% increased usage of paid volunteer days between 2022-2023, impacting 462 charities.Over $1.2 million in team member giving through our global giving program, Together for Good, which provides a 200% match on team member donations.$24.7+ million product & other in-kind donations through local and global organizations to impacted communities in 17 countries, including distribution through global partner World Vision.$9.6+ million towards women’s empowerment & entrepreneurship resulting in $41+ million total contributions towards such causes since 2020, bringing us closer to our 2025 target of $50 million.$4.3+ million for cause marketing such as QVC® U.S.’s Living for Giving benefiting Feeding America, HSN® and Cornerstone’s support of  St. Jude, Cornerstone’s One Warm Coat partnership, QVC Japan’s Pink Ribbon Month and more.

“Qurate Retail Group’s Global Impact team seeks to embed inclusion, sustainability, and social responsibility into all aspects of our business. Through our dedicated focus on community and social impact, we’re proud of the $33.8+ million we raised in 2023 to continue our tradition of giving back,” said Suzanne Quigley, Director Global Corporate Responsibility, Qurate Retail Group. “With the addition of our total giving this past year, we’ve been able to contribute over $148 million to causes since 2020, surpassing our commitment to reach $100M between 2020-2025. We’re grateful to our team members, customers, and vendor community who have given generously to reach this milestone.”

To learn more about Qurate Retail Group’s Corporate Responsibility initiatives and summary reports, visit:  www.qurateretailgroup.com/lp/corporate-responsibility.

International Olympic Committee news

Take a stroll around the more than 30 venues of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and one thing is apparent: most of them look familiar. That’s because most Paris 2024 venues were built long before the city’s candidature to host the Games.

From the iconic 80,000-seat Stade de France in Saint Denis – home to athletics, Para athletics and rugby sevens – to the Saint-Quentin Velodrome, which will host the cycling events, 95 per cent of the Olympic venues are facilities that either already existed or have been temporarily assembled and will be dismantled for future reuse after the Games. The names of other major venues, such as Roland Garros and Parc des Princes, will also be familiar to sports fans from around the world. Spectators will be able to access all of them by public transport.

In addition, an important part of the Paris 2024 strategy is to keep travel between venues to a minimum. Almost all the Olympic venues located in the Paris area are within 10 kilometres of the city centre.

A new model for the Games

In the past, cities transformed and developed to accommodate the Olympic Games. But with Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap that places sustainability and legacy at its heart, the approach has shifted to make the Games adapt to the hosts and to their long-term needs. Adopted in 2015, Olympic Agenda 2020 requires organisers to maximise the use of existing and temporary venues, minimise the environmental impact and use the Games as a catalyst to create long-term benefits for local populations.

We are collectively creating a new model for the Games to ensure they reduce their footprint, while maximising the positive impacts on the lives of local people. Paris 2024 puts that model into action in a spectacular way, and the venues are the most visible example of this,

Marie Sallois

IOC Director for Sustainability

“Paris 2024 puts that model into action in a spectacular way, and the venues are the most visible example of this,” says IOC Director for Sustainability Marie Sallois.

As the first Olympic Games to be fully aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020 requirements, Paris 2024 is using 95 per cent existing venues, which have been upgraded and modernised – not just for the Games, but to ensure long-term opportunities for local communities to practise sport. In addition, thanks to the momentum created by the Games, the French government has pledged to build 5,000 “proximity” sports grounds across the country, ensuring easier access to sport for everyone, closer to their homes.

The “reduce, repurpose and re-use” approach for venues is set to provide a springboard for the decarbonisation of France’s construction industry. The country hopes to cut carbon in the building sector as the European Union aims to reduce the bloc’s overall emissions by 55 per cent by 2030.

New venues, old construction materials

Even those venues which have been built specifically for this year’s Games have been constructed with the principle of reducing and reusing in mind. The stunning 5,000-seater Olympic Aquatics Centre in Seine-Saint-Denis has been described as the “main architectural icon for a Summer Games that is actively trying not to build them.” The ultra-low carbon structure was built using only bio-based materials – mainly timber – and its roof boasts a giant 5,000m2 solar farm. Its concave shape helps naturally heat the air and controls the humidity levels in the venue. Inside, the 5,000 spectator seats were made from recycled plastic bottle caps.

It is no coincidence that both the Aquatics Centre and the Olympic Village have been built in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris, where some of the city’s most under-invested neighbourhoods are located. More than half of 11-year-olds in the area do not know how to swim. After the Games, the Aquatics Centre will cater to the local community as a multi-sports hub, offering swimming, climbing and fitness facilities.

An Olympic Village for the future

The focus on sustainability goes beyond the competition venues themselves. The Olympic Village – home to a total of 23,500 athletes and support staff during the Games and Paralympic Games – has been designed to become a new residential neighbourhood, with more than 2,800 apartments. A quarter of these apartments will become public housing, while the rest will offer affordable flats for low-income workers and students. The first residents are set to move in in the spring of 2025.

“From the start, we were thinking both short and long term,” says Marion le Paul, Joint Director-General of SOLIDEO, the public body responsible for delivering the Games’ infrastructure. “The Village will have a second life long after the Games – in fact that will be its real life.”

With minimal new construction, an emphasis on using existing venues and investment in the long-term needs of the city’s residents, Paris 2024 feels like a game-changer.

“By setting an environmental and social example and through innovation, and by placing so much emphasis on creating lasting benefits for local communities even before the Games begin, Paris 2024 is setting new standards for the Olympic Games and other major sporting events,” says Marie Sallois.

PORTLAND, Ore., July 19, 2024 /3BL/ —Northwest Housing Alternatives(NHA) has received a $300,000 grant from KeyBank to provide education and outreach for climate-related disaster preparation and emergency supplies directed to the low-income households living in NHA properties.

As the leading not-for-profit developer of affordable housing in Oregon, NHA serves some of the most vulnerable populations in the state, including seniors, people of color, people with disabilities and families living on low incomes. NHA notes that these groups are far more likely to be impacted by environmental disasters and emergencies and are less likely to have the necessary supplies and preparations to safely weather them. 

The grant will support the expansion of an existing program to distribute emergency supplies and hold educational events covering emergency preparedness and sustainability initiatives, including ways to conserve water and reduce waste and utility usage. It will also connect residents with utility assistance to free up funds for other essentials, such as rent, groceries and medications.

In addition, it will support more sustainable building, certifying all new housing developments to Earth Advantage standards and reducing energy consumption and cost by up to 30% compared to conventional building standards. 

 “At KeyBank, our mission is to help our communities thrive, and emergency preparedness is a foundational step,” said Josh Lyons, KeyBank Oregon and SW Washington Market President. “Because vulnerable households, such as those served by NHA, have fewer resources to fall back on, the impact of a disaster can be particularly devastating. By providing these families with essential emergency supplies and the knowledge to use them effectively, we are empowering them to protect themselves and their loved ones in times of crisis.”

“Over the past several years, we’ve seen the devastating impact of climate-related disasters such as ice storms, heat waves, and wildfires on the residents living in NHA properties,” said Trell Anderson, Executive Director of Northwest Housing Alternatives. “We know that these once rare events are becoming increasingly commonplace in our region. This grant will help us extend our reach to ensure that residents know what to do to stay safe in the event of a natural disaster and help limit the impacts of our changing climate.” 

About Northwest Housing Alternatives

Founded in 1982, Northwest Housing Alternatives (NHA) is a leading not-for-profit developer of affordable housing in Oregon. Our mission is to create opportunity through housing. To that end, NHA develops, builds, and manages rental housing designed for Oregonians with extremely limited incomes; most NHA households earn less than $22,000 per year. These homes help families live healthy and stable lives, allow older adults to age in place, and give people with disabilities a dignified residence. Along with providing affordable housing, NHA provides services that connect tenants to critical health and community resources, work to prevent homelessness before it begins, and offer emergency shelter and services for families experiencing homelessness.

About KeyCorp 

KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at March 31, 2024. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. 

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