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"What are we doing?" Senator Chris Murphy's outraged response to last week's mass murder at Robb Elementary School reflected what many of us are wondering. What are we doing here? What use are social impact programs and platforms if we continue to allow our children and community members to be killed? Why do we allow our classrooms, grocery stores, and mass transit systems to be battlefields? Why have the voices of citizens calling for change gone unheeded? Today, when we all have far more questions than answers, it's easy to feel discouraged and hopeless. But we cannot fall into that trap — no matter how "routine" mass shootings have unfortunately become, we cannot lose any opportunity to have our voices heard. Our team has shared a few resources below, and we encourage you to reach out with additional ones. As many have shared on social media, what we need now are not thoughts & prayers, but policy & change.
Money matters. While the role of purpose and perks continue to rise in importance when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, there's no denying the importance of compensation. With inflation spiking, competitive wages are becoming even more critical—after all, a purposeful job doesn't mean as much when your people can't afford their rent or mortgage. Microsoft is the latest company to reinvest in its talent, doubling its global budget for merit increases and expanding its range for annual stock-based compensation to cushion the impact of inflation. In a letter to employees, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said, "your impact is both recognized and deeply appreciated—and for that I want to say a big thank you. That's why we're making long-term investments in each of you."
Geekwire: Satya Nadella details Microsoft plan for 'significant additional investment' in employee compensation
Protocol: Microsoft officially raises pay for some employees
A journey in empathy: That's how some are describing Alzheimer's Research UK's stirring campaign, A Walk Through Dementia. The virtual reality experience puts people into the shoes of an individual with dementia as they try to navigate life while symptoms mount. The app-based experience. which was developed with support from individuals living with dementia, is designed to help people better understand what it's like to live with the condition. This kind of first-hand awareness is important for developing empathy, but also for helping caregivers recognize early signs of dementia—and encouraging broader support for the issue. This is critical, as the number of people living with dementia worldwide is set to triple by 2050.
Alzheimer's Research UK: A Walk Through Dementia
Future of Storytelling: A Walk Through Dementia
United We Stand: Unilever's bold platform for LGBTQI+ rights and representation is aimed at improving the quality of life for LGBTQI+ communities across the U.S. United We Stand involves efforts to address anti-LGBTQI+ and anti-transgender legislation, with a special focus on several communities in the South that score low on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index. Across the country, Unilever is partnering with grassroots organizations working on issues including HIV decriminalization, conversion therapy, youth homelessness, anti-bullying, and mental health.
Triple Pundit: Finally, a Big Company Stands Up For the Peer Community
Businesswire: United We Stand - Unilever Supports Systemic Change for LGBQTI+ Communities
Theme parks, by their very nature, can be overwhelming and overstimulating to adults and children alike. Now, consider the experience of individuals with autism or other neurodiverse conditions, which can make environments like theme parks unbearable. LEGOLAND's Florida park now has the distinction of being the first theme park destination to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC)—a move in line with LEGO's ethos of being approachable and accessible to kids (or kids at heart) of all abilities and backgrounds. As a CAC, LEGOLAND Florida's staff must undergo training and the park must include sensory guides to help parents and children make informed decisions about the types of theme park experiences they partake in.
MediaPost: Legoland Builds a Bridge To Cognitive Diversity
Positively Osceola: LEGOLAND Florida Resort Officially Becomes Certified Autism Center
Biogen* is serving humanity through science so people can live healthier, fuller lives. The company discovers, develops and delivers innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, and the impact of their purpose is clear in the company's newly-released Year in Review. The ESG report spotlights Biogen's commitments to climate, health, and equity, from driving health access to going fossil fuel-free. Underscoring their progress, Biogen was recently named to this year's 3BL 100 Best Corporate Citizens List. See how Biogen brings its purpose to life here.
*Biogen is a CCOP client.