Tag: 3BL

International Olympic Committee news

As the five-year milestone of its inauguration approaches, Olympic House – the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – has recently achieved LEED Platinum v4.1 certification for its operations and maintenance. This certification represents the highest form of recognition within the renowned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building programme, recognising Olympic House’s sustainability performance.

Since its initial project phase, Olympic House has striven to meet the highest sustainability standards, in line with the IOC’s strategic roadmap Olympic Agenda 2020 and Olympic Agenda 2020+5. This has meant prioritising resource efficiency, circular economy, respectful integration into the local landscape and user comfort. As a result, the building became one of the world’s most sustainable buildings when it was inaugurated in June 2019. It was the first to obtain the LEED Platinum v.4 certification for Design and Construction, receiving 94 points – the highest score at the time. In addition, it was awarded the highest (Platinum) level of the Swiss National Sustainable Construction Standard (SNBS) and the Swiss standard for energy-efficient buildings (Minergie P).

This latest achievement, which focuses on the building’s operations and management, further solidifies Olympic House’s position as one of the world’s most sustainable buildings. With 82 points out of 100, Olympic House achieved the highest LEED operations score in Switzerland, which places it amongst top 10 per cent of certified buildings in Europe (according to LEED O+M v4.1).

“We are very proud to receive the prestigious LEED Platinum certification for the operations of IOC Headquarters’ Olympic House,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.

Guided by the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020 and Olympic Agenda 2020+5, which place sustainability at the heart of all our actions, we believe the true measure of a building’s sustainability lies not only in its design and construction but also in its ongoing operations. As we mark the fifth anniversary of its inauguration, the IOC remains dedicated to upholding the highest global sustainability standards in Olympic House – in terms of both its daily operations and the comfort of its users.

Thomas Bach

IOC President

“The LEED Platinum certification of Olympic House in Lausanne demonstrates the International Olympic Committee’s commitment to maintaining the highest level of green building performance,” said Peter Templeton, President & CEO, US Green Building Council. “Recertification ensures that ongoing operations and maintenance practices help advance sustainability goals, including climate action, resource conservation and occupant health. The LEED Platinum-certified Olympic House is a model of sustainable building operations, delivering higher performance while protecting people and the environment.”

The LEED Platinum v4.1 for Operations and Maintenance evaluates Olympic House’s performance across various key metrics that undergo regular monitoring, including energy and water use, waste management, air quality, user comfort and staff commuting, with the certificate remaining valid for three years.

The optimisation measures implemented during Olympic House’s design and construction, and since its inauguration, have helped achieve significant reductions in electricity and water consumption. As a result, the IOC has reduced its energy use by half per square metre, and its use of drinkable water per occupant by 50 to 75 per cent, compared to the previous IOC headquarters.

The IOC has also achieved a 50 per cent decrease in non-recyclable office waste per employee since 2019, thanks to strategic initiatives including a reduction in the number of bins, minimisation of single-use plastics and promotion of recycling practices. In addition, the IOC has reduced its food waste by over 50 per cent through measures such as the sale of leftover food from the staff restaurant.

The IOC has also introduced measures to promote active and healthy lifestyles, including subsidies and infrastructure to encourage sustainable mobility and a flexible work structure. These measures have further contributed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices among the IOC staff. More than 60 per cent of staff members are now using sustainable mobility options, such as walking, cycling or public transport.

Designed by Danish architecture firm 3XN in collaboration with Swiss architecture firm IttenBrechbuhl, Olympic House embraces a holistic approach to sustainability. From its initial design, every facet of the building – including construction, energy and water efficiency, daily operations and user well-being – has been meticulously developed to ensure the highest sustainability standards.

Olympic House is part of the IOC’s broader sustainability efforts, which include a commitment to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint by 30 per cent by 2024, and by 50 per cent by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. To reach these targets, the IOC has set travel carbon budgets per department and per event.

While reducing its footprint, the IOC is equally committed to creating tangible benefits locally, contributing to the local and national economy. Olympic House’s construction expenditure saw 80 per cent allocated to local businesses. A 2022 study by the International Academy for Sports Science and Technology (AISTS), which looked into the impact of the presence of the IOC and International Sports Organisations on the Swiss economy, revealed a substantial 57 per cent increase in economic impact from 2015 to 2019 compared to the preceding period of 2008 to 2013. This growth has positively impacted sectors such as employment, business tourism and construction.

The timing of Olympic House’s LEED Platinum certification comes with less than 100 days to go to Paris 2024, which will be the first Olympic Games aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020. In line with its reforms, Paris 2024 is dedicated to delivering more sustainable Games, with a primary focus on halving carbon emissions compared to previous Games and creating lasting benefits for the local communities. From construction to energy management, venue operations, transport, catering and digital services, Paris 2024 has meticulously implemented a strategy that uses less, better and for longer.

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The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.2 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

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For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team: 
Tel: +41 21 621 6000, email: pressoffice@olympic.org, or visit our web site at www.ioc.org.

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The IOC Newsroom: https://newsroom.olympics.com/

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To request archive photos and footage, please contact our Images team at: images@olympic.org.

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Originally published on 3M News Center

From design to recycling, the automotive industry is moving at breakneck speed to create new products and solve new challenges. 3M is a key partner at each stage, providing innovative technologies and one-of-a-kind solutions, expert collaboration and insights, and the trust and relationships the industry needs to enable mobility for a better world.

Manufacturing and assembly

The automotive manufacturing process is more complex than ever, with processes measured in microseconds and output measured in the hundreds of thousands. 3M’s Automotive Manufacturing Solutions are engineered to help pull big opportunities out of the smallest details at every stage. Recommending the right solution means understanding the entire assembly process, then optimizing applications at each step.

One example is the 3M™ Finesse-it™ Robotic Paint Repair System, which automates end-of-line or in-line paint topcoat defect repair by identifying and quickly delivering an exact repair strategy for each defect. By automating the process, the Finesse-it system can help reduce labor challenges, improve ergonomic challenges, and enable more consistent quality compared to manual repairs

Driver experience

Consumers can elevate their vehicle and make it their own with 3M™ Automotive Films, which offer a range of customizable style and protection options. These include:

3M™ Window Film helps a vehicle look and feel cool, with different levels of window tint that provide UV protection, heat rejection, increased security and reduced glare.

3M™ Paint Protection Film adds a layer of protection that guards vehicles against the elements and gives owners peace of mind.

3M™ Wrap Film can transform vehicles with a variety of colors, textures and finishes that make unique eye-catching designs.

Service and repair

At 3M, the art and science of automotive collision repair is a crucial part of our longstanding connection to our customers. For decades we have crafted abrasives, adhesives and coatings to solve the latest auto body repair demands, all backed by the guidance of our expert technical team. As collision repair evolves, 3M is creating new solutions that enable body shops to resolve new challenges in profitability, labor and inventory supply chains.

3M™ RepairStack™, a combined hardware and software inventory management system, optimizes and automates day-to-day shop processes like inventory management, blueprinting and billing, and business performance analysis. RepairStack integrates easily, works with 3M and non-3M materials, and automates re-ordering from preferred vendors to ensure necessary materials are on hand.

Engineering and design

Creating tomorrow’s vehicles means solving an array of challenges, from improving design assembly efficiency to achieving lighter weights to faster repair throughputs. 3M’s comprehensive view of the automotive space allows us to solve industry challenges; design, build and test new solutions; drive efficiencies; and support customers worldwide.

Repurpose and recycle

As the electric vehicle (EV) market expands, establishing a circular economy for EV batteries is crucial for a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the design of battery packs is evolving to seamlessly integrate with the overall vehicle structure. This design trend poses new challenges, such as factory rework, field repair, and end-of-life disassembly to OEMs.

Utilizing our expertise in material science, we are exploring new technologies that employ an array of debonding techniques to disassemble key components within battery packs, which will help create new opportunities to reduce waste, enable repairs, and repurpose or recycle batteries.

Happy Pride!

As we approach the end of June, I am reflecting on the passion and advocacy I’ve seen within our organization and across our communities.

I am thankful for our five LGBTQ+ employee resource groups (ERGs) and the impact they have on our inclusive workplace.

This month and throughout the year we provide psychologically safe forums for LGBTQ+ employees and allies through internal events and external outreach.

To our ERG sponsors, officers and members, thank you. Your support helps to make a difference every month of the year!

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

View original content here.

Originally published in Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ 2023 Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Report

I am pleased to share Jazz’s 2023 Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Report.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals remains committed to its core mission to develop life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases, often with limited therapeutic options. By developing innovative medicines, we aim to support patients in living their lives more fully. Our patient-focused approach is the foundation of our Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact (CSSI) strategy.

In 2023, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ founding. Jazz was founded to create new and life-changing medicines for people with unmet needs. We established a people-first and purpose- driven culture, a culture we are proud of. As we have grown, our culture has remained fundamental to the continued development of the capabilities, talent and performance of an innovative biopharmaceutical company.

Last year, we placed particular emphasis on strengthening the governance of our CSSI strategy to ensure we can deliver positive impacts across
each of our CSSI pillars — Patients, People, Community and Planet. The long-term vision for our CSSI strategy is set by the Board and executive management with a core focus on aligning and integrating CSSI objectives with our overarching mission, culture and business strategy. Key members of our Executive Committee are accountable for the execution of our strategy in each CSSI pillar. These individuals and their teams enable the efficient integration of CSSI considerations into day-to-day business decisions, supporting and accelerating our growth strategy while helping us meet growing regulatory expectations.

We continued to progress each of our CSSI pillars, including successfully executing our mission to bring treatments to patients with limited therapeutic options through developments in our pipeline, such as expanding access to our medicines and initiating new clinical trials. We also launched an initiative to ensure that participants in Jazz’s clinical trials reflect the diversity of our patient populations.

Jazz continued to demonstrate the commitment to being the best experience of our employees’ careers. Our people approach supports the development of their talent and capabilities for oncology and neuroscience. We are proud of the engagement of our employees, who regularly exceed a 75% response rate on our engagement surveys and actively contribute to our Employee Resource Teams, ensuring Jazz is a diverse and inclusive place to work.

Jazz maintained its commitment to creating a positive impact in and on communities, focusing our direct philanthropy and volunteering efforts on the causes that mean the most to our people and reflect our mission. We contributed to initiatives across our network, supporting partner organizations through education, funding and provision of medical donations, including established partnerships with Stand Up To Cancer and the American Heart Association, to further research, education and patient support.

We are making steady improvements in reducing our environmental impact. Our Athlone, Villa Guardia and Kent Science Park sites purchased 100% renewable electricity in 2023. We have also increased our efforts to monitor environmental data across our sites to inform and improve our overall environmental sustainability approach.

As we advance our CSSI strategy this year, we do so against a backdrop of increasing sustainability reporting regulations. Throughout 2024, we will be preparing for these requirements, as well as focusing on our efforts where we can create positive impact for patients, people, society and

the planet. Providing access to innovative medicines, creating a uniquely talented workforce, giving back to our communities and reducing our environmental footprint further our capabilities as a responsible, innovative biopharmaceutical company.

Best regards,

Bruce C. Cozadd

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Learn more about Jazz Pharmaceuticals commitment to progress, responsibility and innovation in its 2023 Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Report

CLEVELAND – July 8, 2024 — KeyBank’s Key4Women will present “Power-Up Your Performance”, a free, one-hour virtual event on Thursday, July 18th at 1:00 p.m. EST / 3:00 p.m. MT / 4:00 p.m. PST.

The webinar will feature Dr. Darlene Thompson Founder and Principal Consultant of RiseOn, LLC. Thompson will have a conversation with KeyBank’s Head of Community Banking and Key4Women National Director, Rachael Sampson, about staying connected to annual goals while demonstrating agility in the moment. Through this conversation, guests will gain insights on implementing a simple method to acknowledge achievements and strategize for the months ahead which can be a game-changer to reach personal and business goals.

In this webinar, participants will learn best practices for goal setting with principles rooted in psychology and implemented by high performers for an effective playbook to follow, including:

Celebrate- Reflect on the progress, celebrate successes, and identify opportunities.Communicate- Navigate shifts, engage stakeholders, and ask for support.Charge-up- Energize yourself and others, minimize burn-out, and finish strong. “It is important for all of us to celebrate our successes while planning for what is next.” said Sampson. “This conversation will give attendees important tools for their toolbox that will help them drive to their own goals. Key4Women is excited to learn from Dr. Thompson and hear how everyone can reach their max potential.

Dr. Darlene J. Thompson is an Organizational Psychologist with deep expertise in executive coaching, talent and succession management, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. Darlene has over 15 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies driving individual, team, and organizational performance through innovative talent strategies and leadership solutions backed by science and industry best practices. Darlene has built a reputation as a trusted advisor who finds simplicity among complexity, clarifies future vision, and mines hidden opportunities.

For more information, contact key4women@keybank.com or register online by July 17th here. 

About KeyBank

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 is Member FDIC.

July 8, 2024 /3BL/ – GRI has started the recruitment of an expert working group to guide the development of new reporting standard(s) on pollution.

Pollution of air, water and soil severely impacts the environment, biodiversity, human health, and quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution alone in cities and rural areas caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019. Furthermore, pollution can generate large-scale irreversible environmental damage posing serious threats to ecosystems, plus welfare losses that equate to over 6% of global GDP annually.

The working group recruitment process is open until 18 August. The group will comprise representatives from the five GRI constituencies: business enterprise, investment institutions, labor organizations, mediating institutions, and civil society. Experts are being sought with backgrounds in reporting on air and soil pollutant emissions, hazardous substances, and critical incident management.

The project will look at all related impacts from a holistic perspective, including air, soil, water and other pollution-related dimensions. The Pollution Working Group will take forward the revision of existing disclosures, such as those on ozone-depleting substances, nitrogen and sulphur dioxides, and significant spills – as well as developing additional ones. The revised and new disclosures will lead to new Topic Standard(s) related to pollution. Furthermore, a supporting guidance document will be produced to help organizations and stakeholders navigate GRI disclosures on pollution.

Bastian Buck, Chief Standards Officer, said: 

“For decades, there has been a lack of transparency on pollution and its harmful effects on people’s health, the environment and the planet. Against this backdrop, the Global Sustainability Standards Board instigated a review of GRI’s existing pollution disclosures and the creation of new ones, recognizing the need for more effective reporting by governments, businesses and other organizations. 

The next stage in this important and timely project is to recruit members who can bring a wide range of multistakeholder perspectives to join our Working Group and lead the work to create disclosures in support of reporting on pollution. The global call for applicants is now open and I encourage anyone with relevant expertise to apply.”

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the independent, international organization that helps businesses and other organizations take responsibility for their impacts, by providing the global common language to report those impacts. The GRI Standards are the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards, which are developed through a multi-stakeholder process and provided as a free public good.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 8, 2024 /3BL/ – To care for its Texas teammates, clients and communities, Truist Foundation announced Sunday evening it will donate $100,000, which will be distributed to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund and the American Red Cross, to support relief and recovery efforts in communities impacted by Tropical Storm Beryl, which strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane by landfall.

“We realize 2024 is going to be a devasting storm season, and Truist Foundation is prepared to help minimize the impact of these disasters,” said Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. “This grant is just one example of how the Truist family and our trusted partners come together to provide care to our teammates, clients and communities in times of need, ensuring they are equipped to recover, rebuild and become more resilient.”

A portion of the donation will be focused on medium- and long-term recovery informed by disaster experts in partnership with those in the affected communities. Support will address needs such as rebuilding homes, providing mental health, legal and disaster case management services, and other urgent challenges identified as recovery efforts progress.

Additionally, earlier this year, Truist Foundation donated $1 million to the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, designed to deploy assistance quickly to communities impacted by events such as Tropical Storm Beryl. Those funds help provide food, shelter, emotional support, comfort kits and other immediate relief supplies to thousands of families and individuals impacted by such disasters.

About Truist Foundation 
Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the foundation’s leading initiatives — the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.

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Media Contact: 
Kristen Fraser 
media@truist.com

The Social Impact Partner Spotlight series highlights various Cisco non-profit organization partners that are helping transform the lives of individuals and communities. This blog features Cisco’s partnership with International Rescue Committee and Ocalenie, highlighting the amazing work these organizations are doing to support and empower refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons worldwide.

World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20, stands as a solemn reminder of the resilience and courage of millions who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. This global observance provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the hardships faced by refugees and to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and compassionate world. According to a recent United Nations report, forced displacement rose to 120 million in May 2024 (from 114 million in 2023), marking the 12th consecutive annual increase – a result of ongoing crises and newly emerging and evolving conflicts.

World Refugee Day 2024 emphasizes showing support for refugees in the hopes of creating a more welcoming global community. This blog highlights two of Cisco’s key partnerships that through early-stage investment by the Cisco Foundation, have enabled these partners to design, validate, replicate, and scale tech-delivered solutions that are driving impact to support refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons.

International Rescue Committee (Signpost and SAFE)

International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Cisco have formed a strategic partnership to help people displaced by conflict and disaster worldwide to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. With support from Cisco’s Global Impact Grant program, IRC is developing technology-based innovations to improve access to life-saving information and provide refugees with a path toward long-term resilience and economic security. Together, IRC and Cisco are working to create more durable, scalable, and sustainable impacts in the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. This World Refugee Day, we highlight two of IRC’s initiatives, Signpost and Supporting Access to Financial Empowerment (SAFE), that showcase the incredible work being done to support refugees worldwide.

Signpost

“Technology has the power to connect and provide lifesaving information. Enabled by the IRC’s partnership with Cisco, Signpost digital help centers allow people impacted by conflict, disasters, poverty and violence to access essential services, solve complex problems, and make informed decisions on the issues that matter most to them. As we scale the Signpost program and leverage technology for good, we are grateful for Cisco’s continued partnership.” —Andre Heller, Signpost Program Director

Accurate, reliable, and relevant information is vital in times of crisis. However, humanitarian crisis communications are often provider-centric, short-lived and not scalable, limiting people’s ability to make informed decisions. Signpost is a scalable community-led responsive service that delivers life-saving information and links to resources through staff equipped with secure digital tools, digital channels and social media. It provides refugees with timely, actionable, verified information on the platforms they are already using, in their preferred languages, empowering them to make critical decisions on the issues that matter most to them.

Cisco has been supporting Signpost since 2015 when it was first launched as a joint effort between IRC and Mercy Corps. At the time there were 65 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. With the ever-increasing number and severity of crises contributing to a growing number of people on the move, IRC’s work is more critical than ever, and we have continued to support their expansion of Signpost.

By the numbers:

Signpost has now been implemented in more than 30 countries across 5 continents and continues to expand.Signpost has over 16 million unique users and has reached 122M people with information products – and is used by many international and local NGOs and humanitarian aid agencies.Signpost supports more than 15 languages.

SAFE

“Through SAFE, I was connected with a financial coach who helped me navigate the process of securing a car loan, and provided support and advice as I launched my own business in the design and build industry for residential properties. Thanks to the support of the IRC program and my dedicated financial coach, I am now able to see a better route to financial stability and business ownership. I continue to use the IRC program to provide support and guidance to other Afghan refugees in my community, helping them navigate the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land.” —Nazila, SAFE Client

In 2023, US State Department’s refugee program was able to settle 60,000 refugees in the U.S. Meanwhile, an additional 300-500K humanitarian arrivals came to the U.S. in 2023, most of whom speak Spanish.

Most of the financial resources currently available in the U.S. are in English and these resources often assume existing knowledge of U.S. financial systems (for example, how to open a bank account; how to apply for a car loan; when and how to file taxes; and the best ways to build credit) and do not account for some of the barriers immigrant communities face in accessing financial services.

Launched in 2022, the Supporting Access to Financial Empowerment (SAFE) is an initiative of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and IRC’s Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO), a nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution, to empower newly arrived families as they begin their journey to financial stability and economic security in their new homes across the U.S. It features an online platform and financial coaches to serve the specific financial education needs of refugees, asylees, and vulnerable immigrants. With the initiative’s launch showing tremendous success within the first two years, Cisco made it possible for SAFE to expand from serving Afghan populations to wider demographics, including Spanish-speaking clients and Ukrainian refugees. This partnership has not only made it possible for the IRC to sustain and advance quality financial capability services for diverse new American communities but has also demonstrated consistent commitment to supporting research and learning in this space.

Through its partnership with Cisco, SAFE already has supported more than 2,000 refugees, asylees, and vulnerable immigrants in just under two years – validating both the effectiveness and future potential for scaling this initiative to more newcomers.

By the numbers

Last year alone, the SAFE program saw:

2,342 clients receive financial coaching982 loans approved, totaling approximately $6.9 million, with a 97% repayment rateAs expected for newcomers, 76% of participants had no FICO score, due to insufficient credit history. After coaching, 71% of participants had a FICO score averaging 702.Increased net worth for participants – an average of $5,500 per participant.

Get involved:

We invite you to support the IRC’s mission, amplify refugee voices, and act. Together, we can make a significant impact and support refugees in building a brighter future.

Volunteer: By volunteering with the IRC, you can play a critical role in helping refugees and immigrants thrive in the United States.Act with us: Join thousands of IRC supporters who have called their representatives, written letters, or shared our campaigns.Make a planned gift: A gift through your estate plan will help ensure aid to people displaced by conflict and crisis well into the future.

Ocalenie Foundation

“Building a new life in a foreign country is a complex challenge, especially for those facing language barriers, financial insecurity, and job market discrimination. At the Ocalenie Foundation, we support migrants and refugees in navigating various aspects of life, including securing employment that utilizes their skills and qualifications, allowing them to achieve a dignified standard of living.” —Kalina Czwarnóg, Ocalenie Board Member

Poland has been one of the key transit points for many migration routes among refugees fleeing political and social crises in the region. The Ocalenie Foundation was established 23 years ago with the mission to foster a multicultural, inclusive society rooted in human rights principles and to support migrants, including refugees, in their integration. In response to the growing number of people seeking protection in European countries, Ocalenie, in partnership with Cisco Foundation, is developing digital and skills training courses to help bridge a service gap and empower people to access online services and navigate their new environment and job market. To learn more about the support Ocalenie provides, check out this recent video about career counselling Ocalenie provided to refugees.

By the numbers:

175 refugees served to date80% of participants to complete courses and obtain course certificates, thus increasing competency and employability50% of participants retain or advance in employment, with 20% experiencing wage increases20% of participants secure employment

Get involved:

Donations are a crucial source of funding for Ocalenie Foundation’s ongoing work. Recurring contributions are precious, providing much-needed stability as the cost of integration activities for refugees in Poland largely falls on NGOs.Ocalenie Foundation’s activities are largely supported by our volunteers who teach Polish language courses, help children with their homework, or support refugees in their everyday struggles. Volunteer opportunities can be found on their website.

View original content here.

Originally published on Lowe’s newsroom.

June 28, 2024 /3BL/ – From helping to build a community of safe homes for veterans in South Dakota to transforming a kitchenette into a full-size kitchen to provide nutritious meals for children transitioning into foster care in Tennessee, 100 nonprofits received Lowe’s Hometowns grants to renovate, restore or rebuild their spaces.

The $10 million in Lowe’s Hometowns grants announced today will benefit 88 communities in 44 states and Washington, D.C. The 100 projects, selected from consumer nominations, address needs specific to each community, from access to housing and community services to support for first responders and veterans.

“The support of the Lowe’s Hometowns grant helps us continue our mission to create a path back to stability for those who took the oath to protect this country,” said Bryan Meyer, CEO of nonprofit Veterans Community Project. “Opening this community will not only benefit Sioux Falls by providing much-needed support for local veterans, but it also adds another village to our network, further strengthening our efforts to fix veteran homelessness nationwide.”

Lowe’s Hometowns, the company’s five-year, $100 million community impact program, launched in 2022. 2.5 million people are anticipated to benefit from the first two years of Lowe’s Hometowns projects within one year of project completion.1 

In addition to supporting the 100 grant-funded projects, Lowe’s associates will complete more than 1,700 community revitalization projects as a part of Lowe’s Hometowns. Lowe’s associates contribute tens of thousands of volunteer hours and use Lowe’s products, services and network of Pros to bring the renovations to life.

“Lowe’s Hometowns is all about bringing neighbors together to improve shared spaces and our communities,” said Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s chairman and CEO. “At Lowe’s we are committed to giving our customers a great place to shop, providing our associates with a wonderful place to work, while making the communities where we live and work better. We believe if we can accomplish these three commitments, we will continue to deliver shareholder value.”

Other projects funded by grants will:

kickstart a tiny home community in Lahaina, Hawaii, in partnership with Rebuild Maui, after the devastating wildfiresprovide fresh food for a Detroit neighborhood located in a food desert by transforming an abandoned lot into a vibrant garden and market space with Peace Tree Parksrenovate the Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company’s facility in Pittsburgh to make it more comfortable and welcoming for volunteers and the community

Lowe’s Hometowns is made possible by the company’s innovative partnership with Points of Light. The national nonprofit serves as a trusted community impact adviser and implementation partner.

“Grants that support nonprofits’ infrastructure and ability to provide community services are critical and often the areas that nonprofits find the most difficult to gain funding support for,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of Points of Light. “Lowe’s continues to set a stellar example of community impact by leveraging its resources and assets to deliver, in partnership with community, the best long-term outcomes for millions of individuals.”

Visit Lowes.com/Hometowns and follow #LowesHometowns on social media to learn more about each organization and keep up with the projects.

1 Full program impact data available in the Lowe’s Hometowns Executive Summary linked here.

Digital assets are available to download here.

About Lowe’s 

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customer transactions a week in the United States. With total fiscal year 2023 sales of more than $86 billion, Lowe’s operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Contact

Laurel Waller 
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. 
Laurel.Waller@lowes.com

MetLife Sustainability Report

Sustainability at MetLife means managing business responsibly and sustaining people throughout their lives. Our purpose—Always with you, building a more confident future—drives our strategy and reflects the fundamental promise we make to our customers, colleagues, shareholders and communities.

For customers, we offer products and services that support financial well-being and health, and we make investments that help us keep our financial promises. For our colleagues, we demonstrate employee care by providing opportunities for professional growth, purposeful work and a supportive and inclusive culture. For our communities, we help to create economic opportunity and prosperity.

By deploying the strength of our people, products, services and investments to deliver on our promises to stakeholders, we drive long-term value for our shareholders. And for all stakeholders, we protect the environment as a way to improve overall health and well-being. 

See Global Sustainability Governance for information about how we govern sustainability.

Strategic Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals

To help drive progress toward a sustainable future for people and our planet, we have aligned our sustainability strategy with a subset of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)1, given their relevance to our business (see Appendix for examples):

Good Health and Well-BeingGender EqualityDecent Work and Economic GrowthReduced InequalitiesClimate Action

MetLife has also been a UN Global Compact (UNGC) participant since 2020. The UNGC provides a principles-based approach to supporting a culture of integrity with respect to human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.

1. The content of this publication has not been approved by the UN and does not reflect the views of the UN or its officials or Member States.