Tag: 3BL

Shared Table newsletter

Odds are high that as you read this your pet is snuggled next to you – with more than 65% of Americans owning a pet and 97% of those pet owners considering them as family. As our bonds with our companion animals deepen, so does our expectation of care – and key to this are veterinarians.

In this Shared Table newsletter, we explore the path of two veterinarians – what got them into the profession to the very real, complex challenges they are facing today. I recently visited Anti-Cruelty, Chicago’s oldest and largest, private, open-admission, unlimited stay humane society, and sat down with Dr. Emily Swiniarski, Medical Director of Anti-Cruelty and Dr. Amanda Schnitker, Hospital Director at Companion Animal Hospital River North and Uptown Animal Hospital, both a part of Uptown Animal Hospital, INC.

Dr. Emily and Dr. Amanda shared what inspired them to pursue a veterinary career – from helping an injured animal on the road to shadowing at a vet clinic to see animal surgeries. Their stories highlight the need for more moments that inspire the next generation to follow in their paths.

Best Quote: “You get in for the animals and you realize it’s about the people.”

Our conversation shifted gears to the obstacles veterinarians face – a major one being the ongoing impact from the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown period. While we live in a post-pandemic world today, veterinarians are living with a ripple effect that exacerbated many existing challenges veterinarians face daily – compassion fatigue, shortage of veterinarians and technical staff and visit decline tied to new competitive care models, like online pharmacies and urgent care veterinary hospitals that gained momentum during the pandemic.

Moment to Remember: A day in the life of a veterinarian is a gnarly reality – from an emergency surgery to the shelter veterinarians MacGyver’ing solutions – veterinarians are in the trenches to provide animals with the care they deserve.

Beyond managing the health of our pets, veterinarians also manage pet owners’ emotions, expectations, devastations – it’s about people. At Elanco we say, Making Animals’ Lives Better, Makes Life Better – and without veterinarians this can’t happen. That’s why Elanco shows up every day for veterinarians, working to bring both the partnership and business expertise and an innovative portfolio that address some of their most challenging unmet needs – from parvovirus and pain to diabetes to itchy dogs. Despite the challenges veterinarians face, it’s clear Dr. Emily and Dr. Amanda find deep fulfillment in their work – especially in the moments that involve direct care and connection with animals and their owners.

Huge thanks to all of our veterinary professionals. What you do is so important. I’m inspired by Dr. Emily and Dr. Amanda, their optimism balanced in reality as well as the possibilities they see for the next generation of veterinarians.

Big Takeaway: Deep appreciation for the profound shift in perspective that veterinarians experience in their profession. Initially drawn to veterinary medicine out of a love for animals, these professionals often find their work is more about managing the emotional and practical needs of pet owners. Veterinarians must balance providing high-quality care to animals with addressing the emotional complexities and expectations of the people who care for them – while not burning out their teams or themselves. Truly no small feat!

Want to hear about the gnarly reality veterinarians face and about a projectile ball, watch the full conversation here on YouTube.

Shared Table newsletter

Odds are high that as you read this your pet is snuggled next to you – with more than 65% of Americans owning a pet and 97% of those pet owners considering them as family. As our bonds with our companion animals deepen, so does our expectation of care – and key to this are veterinarians.

In this Shared Table newsletter, we explore the path of two veterinarians – what got them into the profession to the very real, complex challenges they are facing today. I recently visited Anti-Cruelty, Chicago’s oldest and largest, private, open-admission, unlimited stay humane society, and sat down with Dr. Emily Swiniarski, Medical Director of Anti-Cruelty and Dr. Amanda Schnitker, Hospital Director at Companion Animal Hospital River North and Uptown Animal Hospital, both a part of Uptown Animal Hospital, INC.

Dr. Emily and Dr. Amanda shared what inspired them to pursue a veterinary career – from helping an injured animal on the road to shadowing at a vet clinic to see animal surgeries. Their stories highlight the need for more moments that inspire the next generation to follow in their paths.

Best Quote: “You get in for the animals and you realize it’s about the people.”

Our conversation shifted gears to the obstacles veterinarians face – a major one being the ongoing impact from the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown period. While we live in a post-pandemic world today, veterinarians are living with a ripple effect that exacerbated many existing challenges veterinarians face daily – compassion fatigue, shortage of veterinarians and technical staff and visit decline tied to new competitive care models, like online pharmacies and urgent care veterinary hospitals that gained momentum during the pandemic.

Moment to Remember: A day in the life of a veterinarian is a gnarly reality – from an emergency surgery to the shelter veterinarians MacGyver’ing solutions – veterinarians are in the trenches to provide animals with the care they deserve.

Beyond managing the health of our pets, veterinarians also manage pet owners’ emotions, expectations, devastations – it’s about people. At Elanco we say, Making Animals’ Lives Better, Makes Life Better – and without veterinarians this can’t happen. That’s why Elanco shows up every day for veterinarians, working to bring both the partnership and business expertise and an innovative portfolio that address some of their most challenging unmet needs – from parvovirus and pain to diabetes to itchy dogs. Despite the challenges veterinarians face, it’s clear Dr. Emily and Dr. Amanda find deep fulfillment in their work – especially in the moments that involve direct care and connection with animals and their owners.

Huge thanks to all of our veterinary professionals. What you do is so important. I’m inspired by Dr. Emily and Dr. Amanda, their optimism balanced in reality as well as the possibilities they see for the next generation of veterinarians.

Big Takeaway: Deep appreciation for the profound shift in perspective that veterinarians experience in their profession. Initially drawn to veterinary medicine out of a love for animals, these professionals often find their work is more about managing the emotional and practical needs of pet owners. Veterinarians must balance providing high-quality care to animals with addressing the emotional complexities and expectations of the people who care for them – while not burning out their teams or themselves. Truly no small feat!

Want to hear about the gnarly reality veterinarians face and about a projectile ball, watch the full conversation here on YouTube.

CINCINNATI, September 17, 2024 /3BL/ – A new bipartisan task force is tackling one of America’s most pressing problems – the national housing crisis – and is seeking to elevate the most innovative solutions from across the country to produce and preserve housing across all income levels in every part of the country.

This work will be led in part by Fifth Third Community Development Corporation President Susan E. Thomas, a national leader in community development banking and development. Of the four bipartisan National Housing Crisis Task Force co-chairs, Thomas is the only co-chair from the private sector.

The other co-chairs are Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb.

“The solutions are out there, but they are being deployed piecemeal, in individual communities,” Thomas said. “The task force will identify the best examples of innovative financing and land disposition tools, policies to streamline market-rate and subsidized-affordable housing development and help replicate them in communities across the country.”

Thomas has seen firsthand the impact of innovation in housing through her work with Fifth Third’s Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Program, which creates and implements innovative place-based strategies to effect positive change in nine historically disinvested neighborhoods across the Bank’s 11-state footprint.

Affordable housing is a cornerstone of Fifth Third’s Neighborhood Program, which is pioneering a new way to do community development by partnering with local organizations to build ecosystems that drive real change through both financial and social investments. This collective ecosystem approach is focused on identifying solutions to key challenges in partnership with the community, with the goal of creating lasting, transformative change.

“At Fifth Third, we view safe, affordable housing as a basic human right, and helping to solve this crisis is one of our top priorities,” said Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “As a regional bank, we are deeply embedded within the communities we serve, and we see firsthand every day how housing security is connected to economic mobility, financial stability, improved health outcomes and economic mobility.”

Fifth Third’s Community Development Banking Group is actively helping to create housing inventory and remove barriers to affordability across the Bank’s footprint. This includes investing in low-income housing tax credits, new markets tax credits, community development financial institutions, and investment funds, as well as community-based lending for projects that create housing and provide other supportive services.

“In 2023, Fifth Third provided $722 million in loans and investments to support 3,684 units of housing – and we’re just getting started,” Thomas said.

The National Housing Crisis Task Force is an ambitious, two-year project to bring the most promising innovations in housing production, preservation, and finance to communities across the country. Supported by the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University and Accelerator for America (AFA), the bipartisan task force includes 28 government, non-profit, and business leaders who will create a platform to share and replicate what’s working locally, nationally and internationally. The task force’s work was launched Tuesday, July 23 at an in-person meeting in Washington, D.C. Its first report is expected this fall.

###

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

CINCINNATI, September 17, 2024 /3BL/ – A new bipartisan task force is tackling one of America’s most pressing problems – the national housing crisis – and is seeking to elevate the most innovative solutions from across the country to produce and preserve housing across all income levels in every part of the country.

This work will be led in part by Fifth Third Community Development Corporation President Susan E. Thomas, a national leader in community development banking and development. Of the four bipartisan National Housing Crisis Task Force co-chairs, Thomas is the only co-chair from the private sector.

The other co-chairs are Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb.

“The solutions are out there, but they are being deployed piecemeal, in individual communities,” Thomas said. “The task force will identify the best examples of innovative financing and land disposition tools, policies to streamline market-rate and subsidized-affordable housing development and help replicate them in communities across the country.”

Thomas has seen firsthand the impact of innovation in housing through her work with Fifth Third’s Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Program, which creates and implements innovative place-based strategies to effect positive change in nine historically disinvested neighborhoods across the Bank’s 11-state footprint.

Affordable housing is a cornerstone of Fifth Third’s Neighborhood Program, which is pioneering a new way to do community development by partnering with local organizations to build ecosystems that drive real change through both financial and social investments. This collective ecosystem approach is focused on identifying solutions to key challenges in partnership with the community, with the goal of creating lasting, transformative change.

“At Fifth Third, we view safe, affordable housing as a basic human right, and helping to solve this crisis is one of our top priorities,” said Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “As a regional bank, we are deeply embedded within the communities we serve, and we see firsthand every day how housing security is connected to economic mobility, financial stability, improved health outcomes and economic mobility.”

Fifth Third’s Community Development Banking Group is actively helping to create housing inventory and remove barriers to affordability across the Bank’s footprint. This includes investing in low-income housing tax credits, new markets tax credits, community development financial institutions, and investment funds, as well as community-based lending for projects that create housing and provide other supportive services.

“In 2023, Fifth Third provided $722 million in loans and investments to support 3,684 units of housing – and we’re just getting started,” Thomas said.

The National Housing Crisis Task Force is an ambitious, two-year project to bring the most promising innovations in housing production, preservation, and finance to communities across the country. Supported by the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University and Accelerator for America (AFA), the bipartisan task force includes 28 government, non-profit, and business leaders who will create a platform to share and replicate what’s working locally, nationally and internationally. The task force’s work was launched Tuesday, July 23 at an in-person meeting in Washington, D.C. Its first report is expected this fall.

###

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

Originally published in FedEx’s 2023 FedEx Cares Report

Our opportunity

$96b Greater Memphis GDP is $96b and growing faster than much of the U.S.1

50k Memphis aims to add 50k new quality jobs by 20302

5th Memphis’ poverty rate of 21.4% is 5th highest in the nation among cities with 500k+ population3

Our strategy

Our work is focused on helping more Memphians have an equal chance to participate in our city’s education system and workforce to achieve financial stability. Alongside innovative nonprofits, we are investing in the inclusive economic growth we believe is essential to our city’s future. Through the dedication of team member time and expertise, and focused efforts to address both short-term critical needs and long-term social challenges, we are committed to being a part of the solution for a more prosperous and equitable Memphis.

1 “Total Gross Domestic Product for Memphis, TN-MS-AR (MSA).” Federal Reserve Bank of St. Lous, (2023). 
2 “Prosper Memphis 2030.” Greater Memphis Chamber, (2023). 
3 “While Overall Poverty in Memphis Dipped, Child Poverty Rates Remain Flat, New Data Shows.” Commercial Appeal, September 21, 2023.

Creating a safe place for young people to connect, raise their voices, and catalyze community change

BRIDGES offers a safe haven for youth in Memphis to unite, advocate, and foster positive change in their community. Many young people in Memphis face limited access to life skills and opportunities to engage in community problem-solving. With support from FedEx, BRIDGES aims to cultivate capable leaders who reflect the city’s rich diversity of cultural, religious, racial, and socioeconomic residents. Serving 3,000 students, BRIDGES emphasizes helping participants step out of comfort zones, embrace diversity, and develop skills like problem solving, decision-making, and communications.

Breaking economic barriers: how Hire Local is reshaping futures for Memphians

Hire Local is an innovative local workforce development program established by the Memphis Medical District Collaborative that connects Medical District employers seeking local talent to Medical District residents seeking employment opportunities. With one in three Memphians making less than a living wage, support for residents to access quality jobs is critical to fighting poverty in our headquarters city. With support from FedEx, Hire Local works with employers like Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Baptist Memorial Hospital to provide participants with job shadowing and interviews for roles with a clear career path. In 2023, MMDC placed 43 Memphians in new hospital careers.

I was in a low place in my life, feeling hopeless…I completed this class feeling seen, heard, and proud of who I am.

Terrica Hire 
Local Graduate

FedEx earned the Volunteer Memphis Corporate Impact Award

Leadership Memphis/Volunteer Memphis recognized FedEx for our commitment to volunteerism and to making a positive impact in our community. This award is given to organizations that exemplify excellence and those that create innovative volunteer programs to encourage employees and the public to donate their time to making a difference.

Caring for one another with dignity and joy

FedEx is proud to support Church Health, a Memphis-based nonprofit, that makes the highest quality health care accessible to more Memphians so everyone – regardless of income – can live their life with dignity and joy. For over 36 years, Church Health has offered medical, dental, eye care, and more to those facing economic challenges. In 2023, the organization aided 12,800 unique patients, conducted 2,300 nutrition classes, and performed 32,000 dental procedures, all made possible by a team of 1,000 volunteer medical professionals.

Building a better tomorrow

FedEx supports Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis to provide affordable housing in Shelby and Fayette counties. In 2023, FedEx volunteers contributed 1,537 hours (valued at $43,220) and helped construct four homes in the Memphis area. Team members also donated time to help organize merchandise and enhance operations at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where sale of new and gently used items helps generate more funding to support Memphis Habitat’s work.

1,537 hours of volunteer time

Read more

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

Originally published in FedEx’s 2023 FedEx Cares Report

Our opportunity

$96b Greater Memphis GDP is $96b and growing faster than much of the U.S.1

50k Memphis aims to add 50k new quality jobs by 20302

5th Memphis’ poverty rate of 21.4% is 5th highest in the nation among cities with 500k+ population3

Our strategy

Our work is focused on helping more Memphians have an equal chance to participate in our city’s education system and workforce to achieve financial stability. Alongside innovative nonprofits, we are investing in the inclusive economic growth we believe is essential to our city’s future. Through the dedication of team member time and expertise, and focused efforts to address both short-term critical needs and long-term social challenges, we are committed to being a part of the solution for a more prosperous and equitable Memphis.

1 “Total Gross Domestic Product for Memphis, TN-MS-AR (MSA).” Federal Reserve Bank of St. Lous, (2023). 
2 “Prosper Memphis 2030.” Greater Memphis Chamber, (2023). 
3 “While Overall Poverty in Memphis Dipped, Child Poverty Rates Remain Flat, New Data Shows.” Commercial Appeal, September 21, 2023.

Creating a safe place for young people to connect, raise their voices, and catalyze community change

BRIDGES offers a safe haven for youth in Memphis to unite, advocate, and foster positive change in their community. Many young people in Memphis face limited access to life skills and opportunities to engage in community problem-solving. With support from FedEx, BRIDGES aims to cultivate capable leaders who reflect the city’s rich diversity of cultural, religious, racial, and socioeconomic residents. Serving 3,000 students, BRIDGES emphasizes helping participants step out of comfort zones, embrace diversity, and develop skills like problem solving, decision-making, and communications.

Breaking economic barriers: how Hire Local is reshaping futures for Memphians

Hire Local is an innovative local workforce development program established by the Memphis Medical District Collaborative that connects Medical District employers seeking local talent to Medical District residents seeking employment opportunities. With one in three Memphians making less than a living wage, support for residents to access quality jobs is critical to fighting poverty in our headquarters city. With support from FedEx, Hire Local works with employers like Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Baptist Memorial Hospital to provide participants with job shadowing and interviews for roles with a clear career path. In 2023, MMDC placed 43 Memphians in new hospital careers.

I was in a low place in my life, feeling hopeless…I completed this class feeling seen, heard, and proud of who I am.

Terrica Hire 
Local Graduate

FedEx earned the Volunteer Memphis Corporate Impact Award

Leadership Memphis/Volunteer Memphis recognized FedEx for our commitment to volunteerism and to making a positive impact in our community. This award is given to organizations that exemplify excellence and those that create innovative volunteer programs to encourage employees and the public to donate their time to making a difference.

Caring for one another with dignity and joy

FedEx is proud to support Church Health, a Memphis-based nonprofit, that makes the highest quality health care accessible to more Memphians so everyone – regardless of income – can live their life with dignity and joy. For over 36 years, Church Health has offered medical, dental, eye care, and more to those facing economic challenges. In 2023, the organization aided 12,800 unique patients, conducted 2,300 nutrition classes, and performed 32,000 dental procedures, all made possible by a team of 1,000 volunteer medical professionals.

Building a better tomorrow

FedEx supports Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis to provide affordable housing in Shelby and Fayette counties. In 2023, FedEx volunteers contributed 1,537 hours (valued at $43,220) and helped construct four homes in the Memphis area. Team members also donated time to help organize merchandise and enhance operations at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where sale of new and gently used items helps generate more funding to support Memphis Habitat’s work.

1,537 hours of volunteer time

Read more

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

Originally published on Illumina News Center

Karina Katalina Moreno has taken a circuitous route to her American dream. She grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, about 140 miles (225 km) south of Laredo, Texas, and got her degree in biotech engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Following a brief stop in Barcelona, Spain, she earned her master of science degree at the University of Edinburgh.

Family brought Moreno back to Monterrey. Her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and she moved in to help care for her parents and three siblings. She worked as a science teacher at a local high school and helped her mom get to and from treatment.

“After my mom passed away, I thought, okay, this is life, I knew it was coming,” she says. “She was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer, and the doctors told us she wouldn’t have a lot of time. She was a real fighter, and stayed with us for three more years. But 13 days after my mom died, my dad passed from COVID. At that point I felt lost. My life changed so much in two weeks that I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life.”

Coming to Illumina 
Moreno had worked in pharma and cosmetics but always wanted to pursue a career in biotech. In 2023, a friend encouraged her to apply at Illumina and, after a rigorous interview process, she was hired as a quality control stability scientist. In this role, she focuses on measuring reagent stability, which has already paid big dividends in extended expiration dates.

She’s been with Illumina for about a year and a half, but Moreno is already making her mark. She is well known in Building 6, at Illumina’s San Diego campus, for her seemingly endless supply of Mexican candy—it’s part of her ongoing mission to share her culture.

iLatinx 
Moreno is the treasurer of iLatinx, a growing employee resource group (ERG) at Illumina. The group has more than a hundred active members and hosts many events that focus on building community: attending San Diego Padres and Wave games, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and working with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Clearity Foundation.

The group has also committed to mentoring young women. For the past two summers, iLatinx has partnered with the Women at Illumina Network ERG to sponsor Girls Who Lead days at the company.

“We have around 60 girls who come to Illumina and go to the lab with us,” Moreno says, “but we try to involve them in other activities, as well, because not everyone works in the lab. Some people handle money or are in charge of production. We want to show them all their options.”

The iLatinx group has big plans for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15: a career panel, salsa classes, a mariachi band, and lots of treats. They highlight different countries each year: Last time it was Mexico and Peru; this year will be Colombia and Venezuela, among others.

“People like to learn about the different cultures at Illumina, and we try to find people from those places who can share their flags, food, and local customs,” Moreno says. “We want everyone to know they don’t have to be Latino to be part of this community. They only need to like the food, music, and culture.”

Her safe space 
An avid athlete, Moreno has been active in team handball since she was young and now plays on teams in San Diego and Baja California. At Illumina, she participates in flag football, basketball, and softball. When she’s not working or playing, she often visits her family in Monterrey. But looking at the life she’s built, she is incredibly grateful to have found a home in San Diego and Illumina.

“Everybody is really open [at Illumina], and that makes me feel great,” says Moreno. “I have this accent and nobody cares, and I can wear a flower shirt, which is typical in Mexico, or sing in Spanish, and nobody is going to say anything. For me, it’s a really safe space.”

Over 300 partners participated in our 2024 Bring Your Child to Work Day hosted by our employee-led Working Families Business Resource Council.

It was truly an event filled with joy, excitement, and tons of laughter. It was a great initiative that allowed partners to share their work environment and experiences with their families.

Here’s what was arranged for everyone on the day.

Magic showHula hoop artistDrawing competition which captured the hearts and minds of the childrenFood stalls which included popcorn stalls and chocolate fountains

The day concluded on a high note as partners and their children took center stage for some heartwarming performances. It was so nice to see all the children showcase their talents and skills in front of all the attendees at the Celebrate Life event, leaving their families with a sense of pride.

“We are proud of the efforts of our Working Families Business Resource Council India team and wish to thank them for putting together an event that impacted our partners and families and one that truly reflect our culture of care.” Grace Vasanthi, Executive Sponsor – Working Families India Chapter.

Tennessee’s Empower Me Center helps people with disabilities ‘live their best lives’

Six-year-old Gabryelle listened to the story with growing sadness. Her friend was recounting a magical weekend spent playing in a treehouse built by his grandfather. But Gabby—wheelchair bound due to cerebral palsy—would never get to enjoy a sanctuary among the leaves.

Gabby shared her sorrow with Michelle Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Empower Me Center, a non-profit organization in Lebanon, Tennessee, the seat of Wilson County in the middle of the state.

Hill empathized with little Gabby, consoling the child in her grief. But Hill is not one to accept limitations placed on people with disabilities. If Gabby wanted a treehouse, Hill would find a way.

And she did.

Soon, Gabby had her Dream House—a wheelchair-accessible treehouse, built by a young man with mild cerebral palsy who took on the project with a team of volunteers. Nearly two decades later, the Dream House still stands on the property of the Wilson County Fairgrounds.

Gabby’s story is an example of the lengths to which the Empower Me Center will go to help people with disabilities live their life to the fullest.

The non-profit began in 1999, initiated by parents who wanted their children with disabilities to play in a basketball league. Hill, an occupational therapist, had been looking for a volunteer opportunity and became director of the league.

It worked so well that families and youth wanted more. They asked for a summer camp, so a summer camp was established. They asked for more events in the winter and spring, and those were added, too.

“Our whole mission has been to try to meet the needs of our families, and our whole organization has evolved based upon what those needs are,” Hill explains.

“We’re up to 17 different year-round events on top of our regular programming,” she adds, noting the center’s staff includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, teachers, and college students pursuing healthcare or education degrees.

Empower Me Center is in the process of building a new state-of-the art facility. It will have two buildings, splash pad, playground, baseball field and soccer field, all designed for people with disabilities.

Community donations are essential to offsetting participant costs because the center wants to make activities low-cost or free, and they don’t receive funding from state or federal sources.

Enbridge recently contributed a $7,500 Fueling Futures grant to ensure participants can access Empower Me Center’s inclusive programming. Our hope is this contribution will help children and adults with disabilities forge friendships and develop their independence and self-esteem. People of all abilities add to the vibrancy of the Wilson County community.

Hill explains that people with disabilities often have difficulty finding their purpose. For example, Gabby, now grown, has struggled with her sense of worth.

“She’d say, ‘I can’t move. What do I have to offer this world?’” Hill recounts.

But Hill, always looking for possibilities, saw how Gabby could contribute meaningfully.

“I told her, look around. Look at these friends you have here. You know what you are for them? You are their voice.”

Now, Gabby is a center spokesperson who joins Hill on community visits to advocate for those who can’t speak for themselves.

“That is her gift,” Hill says.

Helping people find their gift is what inspires Hill daily in her role. “I view myself as a servant helping these individuals live their best lives.”

Electric vehicles (EVs) use four times more copper than conventional vehicles. The Resolution Copper Project has enough copper to manufacture almost 220 million EVs, or about half the global supply, by 2040. At 1.3 miles underground, getting to that copper safely and sustainably is the top priority for the Resolution Copper Project.

This project is a joint venture between mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP. These companies identified a copper deposit in the southeastern U.S. large enough to potentially to supply nearly 25% of US copper demand.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) has a variety of options to help customers achieve sustainability goals— from visibility into current state to hardware that reduces energy use to software that identifies opportunities for optimization.

For Resolution Copper Mining, Rockwell targeted reducing energy use by implementing variable speed drives and increasing worker safety with distributed control. Since switching to variable frequency drives as part of its initial ventilation and chilling system upgrades in July 2023, Resolution Copper has seen a 5% increase in system efficiency and a 10% decrease in utility costs. That energy reduction equals about $1 million a year, a savings that Resolution Copper plans to allocate toward other sustainability initiatives.

Learn more about how Rockwell is helping Resolution Copper achieve substantial energy savings and increased system efficiency.