Stand Together

Traditional talent sourcing is holding back millions. Here’s a new hiring approach that could reinvigorate the American Dream:

Instead of fitting into predetermined roles, employees can work with employers to shape jobs that align with their true potential, benefiting both sides.

Have you heard about the Abundance Institute? They’re joining us at TEDAI San Francisco this year, and we couldn’t be more excited. The Abundance Institute is tackling one of the biggest hurdles facing tech advancement today: cultural complacency and fear. Whether it’s in energy, AI, or bioengineering, the Institute’s working to ensure innovation can reach its full potential by investing in talent, supporting founders, and shaping public policy. At Stand Together Ventures Lab, we're all about transforming bold ideas into action, and the Abundance Institute’s mission aligns closely with our own: creating an environment where emerging technologies can thrive. Learn more about the Abundance Institute and its mission here: https://lnkd.in/e3vNUdGP. #STVLatTEDAI #TEDAI2024 #TheAbundanceInstitute

At Adaptive Training Foundation, veterans, amputees, and athletes with severe injuries are redefining what’s possible through shared experiences and mutual support. With help from Beast Philanthropy and Stand Together, ATF athletes can further push beyond their limits—both physically and mentally. This isn’t just about overcoming obstacles, it’s about transforming lives.

This past weekend was filled with community, connection and fun as Stand Together Music and The Phoenix hosted its 1 Million Strong sober-supportive retreat at the 2024 Bourbon & Beyond festival. This marks the third year in a row we have partnered with Danny Wimmer Presents to provide a VIP-like lounge for festival-goers in recovery, their allies and sober-curious music fans, to relax, meet likeminded people and enjoy craft mocktails. We even had a vintage photo bus for capturing festival memories! This year, we debuted a community wall where fans could post stories of inspiration and encouragement to support individuals on their recovery journey. We also expanded our partnership at Bourbon & Beyond to bring mocktails to all festival bars, including back of house and the official after party, so everyone could enjoy all the festival has to offer, no matter what’s in their cup.    I've attended countless festivals over the years and one thing I’ve learned is to always “expect the unexpected.” This was certainly the case when chart-topping country artist, Niko Moon surprised fans with a meet-and-greet at our tent. Hundreds of fans stopped by to meet Niko, learn more about the amazing work 1 Million Strong is doing, and experience the amazing community we have built in only a few short years.    1 Million Strong will be back at Louder Than Life this upcoming weekend, so for anyone attending, please stop by! #StandTogetherMusic #1MillionStrong #BoubonAndBeyond #LouderThanLife #SoberSeptember #NationalRecoveryMonth

It’s not about public vs. private schools — it’s about giving parents and students the option to choose. When families can pick their schools, research shows it sparks greater involvement and fosters a stronger sense of community.

What can science and medicine teach us about social change? A lot, it turns out. Environments that create more room for openness, collaboration, and strategic risk-taking drive scientific discovery and medical advancements. They can also fuel innovation across every sector — business, nonprofit, and beyond. Whether nonprofits across the country are tackling child welfare, homelessness, or addiction, bold action and consistent learning are their keys to creating sustained, transformative change. Read how nonprofit leaders are embracing discovery: https://lnkd.in/gFDu_kRG.

In 2024, 9-5 at a desk isn't cutting it anymore. The workforce is evolving. ✍️ Especially post-COVID, traditional working structures — be it 9-5 schedules or in-office work — are no longer necessarily the norm. Rather than requiring employees adapt to the company’s long-held working structures, increasingly, many workplaces are considering how they can best fit employees. When Moja Chatman lost his position as a manager in the transport logistics field in 2020, he knew he didn't want to go back to that industry. But he also didn't think there was a place readily available for him in the IT world where he had long aspired to work. “I knew I did not want to go back to that industry because the only thing that industry did was burn you out,” he said. “There was no work-life balance. I knew I didn't want to go back, and at that point, I decided to do a career pivot.” Working with Per Scholas, an organization focused on helping employees develop tech skills and advance their careers, Chatman learned to be a data analyst and transitioned into that role at Barclays Bank, a company partnering with Per Scholas to find talent. But even now, after landing his role there, Chatman is firm in asserting that his professional journey is far from over. He is continuing to pursue new credentials and certifications in areas that interest him most — which he’s able to do because of the flexibility Barclays offers. By giving people like Chatman opportunities to explore meaningful work that suits their talents and interests, the bank is cultivating a corporate environment that serves its bottom line as well as its employees' needs. “It’s one way they can widen their talent pool,” said Brittany Murrey, executive vice president of talent solutions at Per Scholas. “They can fill their job openings more quickly while also ensuring their teams have the right skills to succeed.” Barclays is just one example of an employer thinking differently about its policies, making them less one-size-fits-all and more tailored to employees’ unique needs and circumstances. From flexible work-from-home arrangements to upskilling programs to in-house childcare options, employers are increasingly meeting individuals where they are instead of the other way around. Doing so is a win-win: Employees feel empowered to reach their full potential on the job, and employers increasingly reap the benefits. Read the rest here: https://lnkd.in/eJ_2ne-N

By age 22, Melissa had been arrested 5 times, caught in a vicious cycle of heroin use and crime. Now, she’s several years sober and uplifting other Americans all around the country to find their paths to lasting recovery:

Many are trapped in a cycle of poverty and unemployment, overlooked and underestimated. But by addressing the barriers that hold them back, First Step Staffing is unlocking potential that others have written off for too long.