Henkel

AMD Empowers Students With a Summer of STEM Education

Beyond the Brand: Loctite®

SAP and Ambipar Unveil Net Zero as a Service

<img alt="Two people in a small boat lifting a large fish out of the water with a net." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bc61e369-2e29-4601-9a54-23cff7596cea" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/wildlife_tmobile_100224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="640" loading="lazy" />BELLEVUE, Wash. and CHARLES CITY, Va., October 4, 2024 /CSRwire/ - The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rice Rivers Center is using the power of 5G to transform conservation for the federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon. Today, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) announced that VCU Rice Rivers Center is using T-Mobile 5G to protect this prehistoric species, while setting a new benchmark for environmental preservation along the James River.

Once fished to near extinction, the James River sturgeon population near Richmond, Virginia, still faces an ongoing threat from power plant cooling water intake systems. But thanks to advancements in tracking technology using telemetry receivers, particularly with tagged female sturgeon, the Center can notify the plant when these fish enter their spawning habitat to lay eggs. This allows the plant to decrease or stop water intake, helping safeguard this vulnerable species.
<img alt="Close up of a baby sturgeon on a gloved hand." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="85420dd5-3862-4768-81d4-25b1b5159574" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/sturgeon_tmobile_100224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="512" loading="lazy" />T-Mobile’s <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-network-awards" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">award-winning</a> 5G network plays a pivotal role in the Center’s conservation efforts by linking acoustic receivers to an aquatic hub, enabling real-time tracking of sturgeon movements, even in remote areas of the James River. Additionally, T-Mobile’s IoT Control Center empowers VCU to streamline SIM card management in the receivers, optimizing data transmission, reporting and device oversight. These capabilities enhance both research accuracy and operational efficiency for more impactful conservation outcomes.

“The work we’re doing with T-Mobile has digitally transformed how we protect the endangered Atlantic sturgeon,” said Matt Balazik, Ph.D., Research Faculty, VCU Rice Rivers Center. “Real-time data allows us to make critical, well-informed decisions that directly safeguard the species, while also educating the next generation of environmental stewards.”

“At T-Mobile, we believe in the power of technology to create powerful outcomes, and our collaboration with VCU is a perfect example of that,” said George Fischer, SVP of Sales, T-Mobile Business Group. “By powering secure real-time data transmission, we’re helping to safeguard critical habitats and educate future generations. Together, we’re setting a new standard for environmental sustainability and ensuring that these ancient fish thrive in the James River for years to come.”

Enhancing Education and Outreach

The Center’s project, currently the largest real-time acoustic telemetry system on the East Coast of the U.S., is making a global impact. To offer a model for conservation that can be widely adopted, the Center showcases its telemetry data to researchers worldwide, including at institutions like the ZSL (Zoological Society of London), as well as local schools, where students are introduced to conservation efforts through live demonstrations of sturgeon-tracking data.

VCU is also developing a website that will allow students and educators to access past telemetry data, incorporating it into lesson plans and projects. This initiative will provide all schools with the ability to contribute to the growing field of environmental research.

Looking to the Future with AI

The Center is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze data and predict sturgeon movements more accurately. While current predictions can only forecast a day or two in advance, future AI developments could give power companies additional time to adjust water intake flows and better protect the sturgeon population.

This forward-looking approach, connected by T-Mobile, ensures the project will continue to evolve, further helping to protect the sturgeon’s future in the James River.

To learn more about the VCU Rice Rivers Center, go to: <a href="https://ricerivers.vcu.edu/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.ricerivers.vcu.edu</a>

For more information about T-Mobile IoT, visit <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/business/solutions/iot" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.t-mobile.com/business/solutions/iot</a>

Follow <a href="https://x.com/TMobileNews" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">@TMobileNews</a> on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news.

# # #

See 5G device, coverage, &amp; access details at T-Mobile.com.

About VCU Rice Rivers Center

The VCU Rice Rivers Center, part of <a href="https://lifesciences.vcu.edu/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">VCU Life Sciences</a>, is VCU’s River Campus, supporting scholarship and student instruction across diverse disciplines, including water resources, climate science, wildlife conservation and wetlands restoration.

Located midway between Richmond and Williamsburg, Va., along the historic James River, America's founding river, our 360 acres of riparian marshes, tidal creeks and mature forests represent a unique outdoor laboratory for important applied research and innovative, experiential classes.

The center’s modern <a href="https://ricerivers.vcu.edu/facilities/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">facilities</a> offer offices, classrooms, laboratories and overnight lodging for students, faculty, visiting scholars and community groups. State-of-the-art technologies are deployed onsite to collect information on air and water quality, fish and avian migrations, changing sea levels, and a host of other critical data sources. Our ongoing partnerships with state and federal natural resource and earth science agencies provide significant training opportunities for student scholars.

About T-Mobile

T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.t-mobile.com</a>

Virginia Commonwealth University Taps T-Mobile To Help Protect Endangered Species

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6408f4c-f5aa-4bf0-8366-4532f934b02b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/students_duke_092424kh4.jpeg" width="640" height="560" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Duke Energy's laptop donation stands to benefit students at 10 historically Black colleges and universities in North Carolina.</figcaption></figure>As a new school year kicks off, freshmen at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) are receiving more than just a warm welcome – they're getting a critical tool for their academic success. On Sept. 9, Duke Energy volunteers handed out laptops to 225 students who arrived on campus without one.

This initiative is part of a partnership with E2D, short for <a href="https://www.e-2-d.org/partners" target="_blank" title="Eliminate the Digital Divide">Eliminate the Digital Divide</a>, a Charlotte, N.C., nonprofit that refurbishes donated laptops in student-led technology labs and distributes them to those in need. With help from Duke Energy and other corporate sponsors, E2D has distributed at least 48,000 computers since 2013.

The company’s recent pledge of more than 16,000 laptops over three years will enable E2D to further close the opportunity gap between those who have computers and those who do not. These devices will be distributed to 10 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across North Carolina.

“With Duke Energy’s commitment to donating laptops and volunteer hours, we’ll be bridging the digital divide for a much larger swath of the state,” said E2D President Pat Millen.

Closing the digital divide

College students without a laptop face significant disadvantages, including limited access to online resources and a lack of flexibility in their study environment. These issues can lead to increased stress and negatively impact their academic performance.

Receiving a laptop can have a profound and immediate impact on students without one, said John Oliver, Ph.D., project manager of JCSU’s Charlotte’s Inclusive Tech-Innovation Project (CITIP).

“The joy on students’ faces when they receive their laptops speaks volumes about the difference this program is making,” Oliver said. “Many express their shock and appreciation that someone they’ve never met is thoughtful enough to provide them with this vital resource.”

Duke Energy’s involvement with E2D began five years ago when Dominique Johnson, vice president of the <a href="https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/duke-energy-foundation-powers-positive-change-over-40-years" target="_blank" title="Duke Energy Foundation">Duke Energy Foundation</a>, connected with Millen at a Charlotte event. She was immediately struck by the potential of E2D’s mission, which aligns with the Foundation’s long-standing focus on economic mobility and STEM education.

“College is hard even when you do have the resources,” she said. “Some of these students were doing schoolwork on their phones.”

Johnson found an ally in Duke Energy’s Mark Cook, managing director of IT infrastructure, operations and CIOPS. As someone who started his IT career providing help desk (and desk-side) support, he understands the imperative of working technology. Cook and his team navigated internal processes to enable laptop donations to E2D, which paved the way for a commitment of more than 16,000 computers over three years.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="99a0ae02-9a65-45c9-84c9-92f357368fbc" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/students_duke_092424kh2.jpeg" width="640" height="560" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>E2D partnered with Duke Energy to distribute free laptops to first year and transfer students at Johnson C. Smith University.</figcaption></figure>Equipping students with the tools to succeed

The need for this initiative was underscored in 2023 when over a third of JCSU’s students arrived on campus without a personal laptop. Within three weeks of learning about the situation, E2D identified the students in need and distributed laptops, ensuring that these students had the tools they required to succeed.

To assess whether JCSU’s situation was unique, E2D hired a staff member to survey other HBCUs in the state. The findings were clear – almost every school faced similar challenges.

This realization spurred Duke Energy to broaden its support, integrating the program into its broader mission of promoting economic mobility, climate resilience, and opportunity and inclusion.

In 2021, the city of Charlotte, under Mayor Vi Lyles’ leadership, launched the <a href="https://www.equityclt.org/" target="_blank" title="Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative">Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative</a> – a $250 million effort to address systemic inequities. One of the key goals is bridging the digital divide, a mission that E2D is advancing with help from corporate sponsors.

Beyond laptops, E2D also provides workforce opportunities by hiring young staff, many from Title I high schools, to refurbish the laptops, equipping them with tech skills and a paying job. 

“These high schoolers are in the lab, learning valuable STEM skills that will be relevant across industries, all while earning more than minimum wage,” Johnson noted.

Millen hopes Duke Energy’s leadership in this space will inspire other corporations to follow suit.

“We’re leveraging Duke Energy’s example to encourage other companies to join this effort,” he said. “Duke is setting a new standard for corporate responsibility in North Carolina.”

Looking ahead, Millen is optimistic. “The goal is that everyone who needs a computer gets one. And that’s not just wishful thinking – it’s something we can achieve in the next five to 10 years. Every computer we provide could be the one that changes someone’s life forever.”

<a href="https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/bridging-the-gap-duke-energy-powers-students-with-laptops" target="_blank">View original content here</a>

Bridging the Gap: Duke Energy Powers Students With Laptops

<img alt="John Mulcahy in hard hat and high-vis clothing standing in a forested area." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b6a6d3cc-660c-4118-bcca-b8e5c55cf7b0" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/JohnMulcahy_gp_091224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="853" loading="lazy" />Although more than 90% of the wood and wood fiber used in our operations comes from the United States, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-pacific-llc/" target="_blank">Georgia-Pacific LLC</a> purchases fiber from other countries when the characteristics of those species provide product performance attributes that our consumers and customers prefer. These products help people improve their lives and are made responsibly. As a part of our due care program, we spend time in these regions, meeting with our suppliers, visiting their timberlands and communities, and discussing the environmental and social values that are relevant to the region. In a trip last week, we saw how the preferred partnerships we have with our global suppliers are resulting in good forest stewardship.
<img alt="A far view of a stack of cut timber in a forested area." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce18bb50-91a4-4431-9112-e96233d43b6b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/timber_gp_091224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="853" loading="lazy" />Georgia-Pacific

Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals. Our familiar consumer brands include <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quiltednorthern.com%2F&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">Quilted Northern</a>®, <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.angelsoft.com%2F&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">Angel Soft</a>®, <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brawny.com%2F&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">Brawny</a>®, <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dixie.com%2F&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">Dixie</a>®, <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gppro.com%2F&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">enMotion</a>®, <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sparkletowels.com%2F&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">Sparkle</a>® and <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanityfairnapkins.com%2F&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">Vanity Fair</a>®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gapacrecycling.com%2F&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">Georgia-Pacific Recycling</a> subsidiary is among the world’s largest traders of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs more than 30,000 people directly and creates approximately 89,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gp.com%2Fabout-us&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">gp.com/about-us</a> . For news, visit: <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gp.com%2Fnews&amp;n=26756" target="_blank">gp.com/news</a>

View original content<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrmulcahy_environmental-social-stewardship-activity-7239641487058112512-K5KF/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop" target="_blank"> here.</a>
<img alt="A green house full of trays of seedlings." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dcb5df84-0670-4aa5-b8f7-131a33daff45" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/seedlings_gp_091224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="853" loading="lazy" /><img alt="Two smiling people in high-vis vests in a forested area." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b07df90e-ab5c-4511-b7ee-2ae611b222aa" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/team_gp_091224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="853" loading="lazy" /><img alt="A path in a forested area." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fad08c77-9e55-459b-9dc1-b8f4b817f83c" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/timberforest_gp_091224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="853" loading="lazy" />

Responsible Foresting Around the World Helps Us All

<img alt="Two mountain climbers with the words &quot;Elevate your sustainability communications with Platinum.&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="700793f2-f3e4-42ce-86a0-f1ae84c56099" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/PLATINUM-3BL-100124.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="834" loading="lazy" />Changing the world is hard work, and talking about it can be even harder. Platinum empowers companies to turn complex sustainability initiatives into clear, engaging narratives that drive business impact. Targeted distribution, advanced analytics and expert support combine to elevate sustainability storytelling and drive measurable impact.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass., October 1, 2024 /CSRwire/ - 3BL, a leader in sustainability and impact communications, today announced the launch of <a href="https://go.3blmedia.com/l/37792/2024-09-30/5yhyyz" target="_blank">Platinum</a>, a premier solution designed to address the most pressing challenges organizations face in communicating their environmental and social initiatives.

In an era of more complex sustainability investment, and stakeholders demand transparency and measurable impact, many organizations struggle to clearly and effectively communicate their sustainability efforts, reach the right audiences, and demonstrate ROI. Platinum tackles these issues head-on.

“This moment represents more than just a product launch—it’s about reshaping how organizations approach sustainability communications,” said Charlie Wilkie, CEO at 3BL. “Since 2009, we’ve been a trusted distribution platform in the field, and today we’re expanding our impact as a full-stack communications partner with new services, advanced analytics, and insights that empower organizations to turn their sustainability efforts into a competitive advantage.”

Platinum addresses three critical pain points:

<ol><li>Reaching the Right Audiences: Since 2009, 3BL has been building a specialized community of journalists, analysts, ratings/ranking agencies, practitioners, investors and consumers in the impact space. Platinum offers unlimited access to these exclusive partners, as well as guaranteed and custom distribution to ensure your message reaches the right audience, on your terms.</li>
	<li>Measuring and Optimizing Impact: Companies often lack insight into how their sustainability messaging resonates. Platinum's advanced analytics suite offers deep insights into stakeholder perceptions and competitive benchmarking, allowing organizations to refine their communication strategies for maximum impact. Our Sustainability Disclosure Score provides quarterly reports assessing how ratings &amp; rankings agencies evaluate your brands’ sustainability performance from over 1,000 sources. Exclusive to Platinum clients, our Stakeholder Perception Survey Report offers an annual review of how consumers and key stakeholders view your sustainability efforts. And, our TriplePundit Editorial Blueprint further enhances messaging with expert analysis to boost audience engagement.</li>
	<li>Resource Constraints: Sustainability teams are often stretched thin. Platinum offers specialized support that integrates seamlessly with existing teams, providing strategic guidance and freeing up valuable internal resources.</li>
</ol>For more information about how Platinum can transform your sustainability communications, please visit <a href="https://go.3blmedia.com/l/37792/2024-09-30/5yhyyz" target="_blank">here</a>.

About 3BL  
3BL is the leading sustainability and social impact communications partner, connecting organizations’ stories of purpose and progress with the audiences who matter most.

We partner with over 1,500 companies – from global corporations and mid-sized enterprises to NGOs and nonprofits – to elevate their reputations as players in the world of responsible business. We do this through unrivaled news and content distribution, bespoke storytelling support, and our digital media division, TriplePundit.

Explore more at <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3bl.com%2F&amp;n=1265186" target="_blank">www.3bl.com</a>

3BL’s Platinum Solves Sustainability Communicators’ Biggest Problems With Data and Insights 

<img alt="Conscious Comms Collective logo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4d2c5fd5-59c7-4ff4-ba93-7ca12c1e6283" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Conscious-Comms-Collective-logo.png" width="340" class="align-center" height="796" loading="lazy" />The Conscious Comms Collective announces its official launch, marking a groundbreaking moment in social impact communications. This members-only, global community is dedicated to uniting communications professionals who are at the forefront of corporate social responsibility, ESG, responsible business, and social impact. 
The Conscious Comms Collective provides a safe and collaborative space for communications professionals working in foundations, corporations, nonprofits, and agencies. Members gain access to a comprehensive suite of benefits, including exclusive networking and learning events in key cities such as New York City, Washington D.C., and Atlanta, as well as a virtual platform with a member database and forums. 
Upcoming events exclusively for Collective members include conversations with Sally Susman, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Pfizer (Oct 30); Nick Kristof, Pulitzer-prize winning New York Times columnist (Nov 20); Ali Rogin, PBS NewsHour correspondent (Nov); Lenny Stern, co-founder and partner of creative marketing communications agency SS+K; and Laura Sutphen, President of Egami Group. Founding Sponsors of the Conscious Comms Collective include <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/" target="_blank">3BL</a> and <a href="https://www.finnpartners.com/" target="_blank">Finn Partners</a>. Hope Armanus, Founder and CEO of the Conscious Comms Collective, said, “We are thrilled to launch the Conscious Comms Collective. Our vision is to create a robust network of professionals who are deeply committed to advancing social impact communications. By offering unparalleled resources, private networking opportunities, and a dedicated focus on mission-driven impact, we are setting a new standard for cut-through, game-changing social impact communications across industries.” 
The Conscious Comms Collective is hosted on Hivebrite, an award-winning community platform. As a US-based Collective focused exclusively on social impact communications for both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, the Collective serves a diverse group of professionals from various backgrounds and levels of experience. 
For more information about the Collective and to learn how you can become a member, please visit join-ccc.com. Media Contact: 
Hope Armanus 
Founder and CEO, Conscious Comms Collective 
ConsciousCommsCollective, LLC <a href="mailto:thecollective@join-cc.com" target="_blank">thecollective@join-cc.com</a> 
  Hope Armanus 
Hope Armanus is the founder of the Conscious Comms Collective, a private, members-only global community of cause-conscious communications professionals. Outside of the Collective, Hope supports responsible business communications at a telecommunications company. The Conscious Comms Collective is a separate business, whose views do not represent those of the telecommunications company. Hope previously oversaw US market PR strategy at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). While at the IRC, Hope was named “Most Purposeful Communicator Under 30” by PRWeek.

<a href="https://join-ccc.com/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Conscious Comms Collective Launches to Revolutionize Social Impact Communications

<img alt="A person working on a laptop, next to a sunny window" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7fcb4226-49eb-42cf-992b-d3ec066a2a52" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/named-indeeds-work-wellbeing-100_CBRE_092624.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="1200" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.cbre.com/press-releases/cbre-named-to-indeeds-work-wellbeing-100" target="_blank">CBRE</a>

September 30, 2024 /CSRwire/ - CBRE has been named to Indeed’s Work Wellbeing 100 Index, which recognizes top companies with work cultures that attract, nurture, and retain talent. CBRE was the only commercial real estate company to make the list.

Indeed, a global job matching and hiring platform, in partnership with the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, gathered insights from millions of employees who rated their company experience. Indeed’s Work Wellbeing Score is based on four key wellbeing indicators: happiness, purpose, satisfaction and stress. The report determined that public companies with higher work wellbeing scores collectively outperform stock market benchmarks.

“At CBRE, we prioritize the wellbeing of our employees,” said Paul Hawtin, CBRE’s chief people officer. “Being named to Indeed’s Work Wellbeing 100 Index demonstrates our commitment to fostering a work environment where our people feel valued, supported and inspired. CBRE is not just a place to work; it’s a place to thrive.”

The companies on the Indeed Work Wellbeing 100 were determined based on employee feedback shared by U.S. employees on Indeed across the four key wellbeing indicators between January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023. To qualify, companies in the U.S. must be publicly traded on the NASDAQ or NYSE and have received at least 100 responses for work wellbeing indicators in the past year (Jan 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023).

About CBRE Group, Inc. 
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&amp;P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2023 revenue). The company has more than 130,000 employees (including Turner &amp; Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at <a href="https://www.cbre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.cbre.com</a>.

CBRE Named to Indeed's Work Wellbeing 100

<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.3blmedia.com/sites/default/files/2024-09/homeownership_usbank_092524.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

<a href="https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/company-blog/article-library/kansas-city-father-invests-in-his-familys-future-through-homeownership.html" target="_blank">Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog</a>

Inside his home in Kansas City, Elijah Rush thinks a lot about the future he wants for his wife, two children and baby on the way. In fact, the home he purchased in 2023 represents one of the biggest steps forward in building wealth and providing his loved ones with a place to call home, he said.

“When I think about building wealth, it’s about my children and thinking about their future,” said Rush, who started thinking about his financial journey at age 16. “I remember starting to think about my future, how I was going to live my life and, if I had children, how would they live and would they be okay? I thought a lot about what I went through in my adolescence with my parents who are long-time renters, and I wanted something more.”
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="63dd3d4c-019a-4e22-95b3-dd1a5257fa33" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ElijahRush_usbank_092524.jpg" width="640" height="675" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Elijah Rush in his home in Kansas City.</figcaption></figure>Wealth building, particularly the benefits of homeownership, was something Rush was particularly focused on, but he needed help getting started. So, one day in 2022, he walked into his neighborhood U.S. Bank branch and met Marla Dickinson, a mortgage loan originator who said she finds particular joy in helping first-time homebuyers on their journey to buying a home.

“When I first met him, I thought Elijah was looking to break barriers, that he was eager for knowledge and looking for a person who’s going to help guide him,” Dickinson said. “Everyone starts their homebuying journey at a different place – and Elijah had so many questions about the process I was happy to answer.”

Dickinson and Rush worked together for more than a year to help him become mortgage-ready. Through this process, they worked on building credit, putting a savings plan in place and more.
<img alt="Marla Dickinson standing outside Elijah's home, two kids playing in the background." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5df10dd3-8d30-4f01-9661-7b2df804f4c4" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/homeloan_usbank_092524.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="972" loading="lazy" />After finding a home he wanted to make an offer on, and as part of this, Rush attended a homebuyer education class hosted by Dickinson. After that session, Rush came back to the branch and asked if he could ask the seller of a home to cover closing costs. Dickinson said yes, and Rush negotiated the cost to be covered so he could buy the house that is now his.

“That moment stands out to me,” Dickinson said. “Even today, I talk about him with prospective homebuyers to say that if you are intentional and you are putting your all into learning about the resources out there, anything is possible.”

Rush qualified for and used the U.S. Bank American Dream home loan, created to help buyers overcome the thresholds to homeownership. The American Dream mortgage is available to qualified buyers in 26 states, providing downpayment assistance, the option to put as little as 3% down, additional assistance funds that can be used toward closing costs or required repairs, and mortgage insurance paid for by U.S. Bank.

Looking back on this process and reflecting on where he is today, Rush said “there’s less stress and more understanding about finances. I know how to maneuver with money, comprehend what is going on and look toward the future.”

As for what the future holds, Rush is building a fruit and vegetable garden at his home to help feed his family, he said, and has dreams of being a farmer to provide for his loved ones and community.

“Owning a home is investing in me and my family, and for people who are just starting the homebuying process – it’s okay for it take time to be in a place to buy,” Rush said. “Now I know my money is going toward investing in a home to pass on to my kids and build generational wealth for them."

For more about Rush's story, watch the video above.

Rush qualified for and used the U.S. Bank American Dream home loan, created to help buyers overcome the thresholds to homeownership.

Kansas City Father Invests in His Family’s Future Through Homeownership

<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.3blmedia.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/Transforming%20Lives_JAZZ_72624.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

At Jazz, our team members are the driving force behind our success. Together, we are dedicated to developing meaningful products that address serious unmet medical needs.

We are deeply committed to living our purpose, values and being a high-performance organization. We pride ourselves in being a great place to work. Each career we build reflects the difference we aim to make in the world.

From the beginning, vibrant enthusiasm has defined our culture at Jazz. We embrace the power of flexibility, the importance of diverse ideas, and the trust that comes from mutual respect in everything we do.

We understand that art and science thrive on improvisation and collaboration within a structured environment. When exceptional talents come together in a setting like this, anything is possible.

Learn more about careers at Jazz Pharmaceuticals <a href="https://careers.jazzpharma.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

At Jazz, our team members are the driving force behind our success. Together, we are dedicated to developing meaningful products that address serious unmet medical needs.

Shared Values, Shared Success, at Jazz Pharmaceuticals

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