Latest news with #MSCS
Forbes
12 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Abundance Of The Heart: Cultivating Soulful Strength In Nonprofits
Yujia Zhu, MSc, MSCS, MBA, is the founder and creator of world's first comprehensive AI platform for skills coaching. Nonprofits embody the spirit of public service. They prioritize mission over margin—eradicating hunger, expanding access to education or protecting our natural world. Yet nonprofits often grapple with high staff burnout, donor fatigue and mission drift. This challenge has led many leaders to explore 'workplace spirituality,' a framework that integrates compassion, purpose, interconnectedness and service into daily operations. By promoting spiritual values alongside an abundance mindset, nonprofits can cultivate the intrinsic motivation and cultural resilience essential for sustaining their missions. As a multidisciplinary scholar whose research focuses in part on workplace spirituality, I believe that integrating spiritual values into nonprofit organizations is a topic that deserves far more attention. It's time we bring this conversation into every nonprofit workplace. Workplace spirituality is distinct from organized religion. It doesn't require adhering to any specific doctrine or tradition. Instead, it speaks to the universal human desire to find meaning and connection in our daily work. It's about showing up with integrity, staying grounded through mindfulness and promoting a sense of belonging and shared humanity. Nonprofit professionals often seek work that fulfills a higher purpose. Workplace spirituality nurtures that inner calling by honoring both the heart and soul of service. It creates environments where compassion and shared purpose are just as important as productivity. Individuals are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Ultimately, workplace spirituality in the nonprofit sector is about cultivating meaningful human connection in the service of something greater than ourselves. Set the tone by embodying spiritual principles. Leaders who embody spiritual principles, such as empathy and servant leadership, set the tone for the entire organization. When executives make decisions rooted in compassion and integrity, they build a culture of trust and openness. For example, early on in my role as founder of For A Safer Space (FASS), and true to my 'founder mode' ethos of hands‑on leadership, I stepped in directly when one of my leadership volunteers confided she was on the verge of burnout. Rather than quietly reassigning her duties, I covered her responsibilities and then gathered the entire core team for a check-in debrief focused on self‑care and mutual support. That decision, rooted in compassion and integrity, did more than prevent her from burning out; it sent a clear signal that caring for one another is nonnegotiable. Morale and collaboration soared afterward, and we exceeded our service targets that quarter. By leading with empathy in that moment, I set a tone of openness and trust that still defines our culture today. One of the most pervasive challenges in nonprofits is compassion fatigue: the emotional exhaustion that arises from sustained exposure to human suffering. Closely related is moral injury: the deep psychological distress employees experience when they feel unable to act by their core values, whether because of resource constraints, organizational pressures or witnessing systemic injustice. Spiritual values act as an antidote by reminding employees of their work's deeper significance and realigning them with their ethical compass. Create rituals to embed spirituality into your organization. Cultivating spiritual values need not, and should not, veer into religious endorsement. Nonprofits can embed spirituality through mission-centered rituals (e.g., brief team reflections on impact stories) and mindful leadership training. In the early days of FASS, before even existed, I was coordinating more than 350 volunteers across a wide spectrum of programs—from outreach to community workshops and services. To nurture a shared sense of purpose (rather than slipping into mere 'task completion'), I introduced a simple yet powerful ritual: I would frequently update with the entire team in real time the number of new partner organizations we'd welcomed, the local and international communities we'd reached, the individuals whose lives we'd touched and the pioneering pilot projects we'd launched. Volunteers saw not just raw statistics but the faces behind those numbers. It anchored us in something greater than ourselves. Instead of focusing on individual achievements, everyone began to see their role as part of a living, evolving story of hope, and that spiritual grounding carried us through the toughest days during the pandemic with a profound sense of belonging. By balancing professionalism with authentic spiritual expression, organizations reinforce a culture where ethical action and personal well-being co-exist harmoniously. Embrace an abundance mindset. At its heart, an abundance mindset embraces the conviction that there is enough for everyone and that resources and opportunities can multiply when we act from a place of trust and possibility. An abundance mindset reshapes both nonprofit operations and communications. Rather than framing appeals around scarcity, organizations can tell stories of shared impact: Your gift multiplies hope. This shift from deficit to possibility can inspire donors and invite supporters into a partnership of growth. Internally, abundance thinking fuels sustained momentum. Celebrating small wins and trusting in purpose-driven creativity helps teams stay energized and resilient. When grounded in spiritual values, this mindset creates a self-sustaining ecosystem of generosity, where hope grows and every challenge becomes a catalyst for deeper impact. Take a dual focus. Nonprofits can no longer rely solely on spreadsheets and fundraising targets to sustain their missions. Financial acumen remains essential, but without a deeper, values-driven foundation, even the healthiest balance sheet can conceal organizational fatigue and mission drift. Spiritual values such as compassion, integrity, purpose and interconnectedness serve as an internal compass, guiding decisions from boardroom deliberations to daily program delivery. Pairing this inner compass with an abundance mindset transforms how nonprofits approach both challenges and opportunities. Instead of viewing budget shortfalls as crises, an abundance perspective encourages exploration of untapped networks and stakeholders' latent generosity. Every obstacle becomes fertile ground for innovation. This dual focus on soul and abundance creates an ecosystem where resources multiply through collective goodwill, and every small win ripples outward to fuel momentum and resilience. Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
KALA BIO to Present at H.C. Wainwright 5th Annual Ophthalmology Virtual Conference
ARLINGTON, Mass., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KALA BIO, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for rare and severe diseases of the eye, today announced that members of management will present at the H.C. Wainwright 5th Annual Ophthalmology Virtual Conference being held virtually on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. A pre-recorded presentation will be made available beginning on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. ET. KALA management will also participate in a panel discussion titled 'Novel Treatments for Front-of-the-Eye Indications' on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Management will be available for virtual one-on-one meetings throughout the conference. To access the webcast and subsequent archived recording of the presentation, please visit the 'Presentations' section of the KALA website at About KALA BIO, Inc. KALA is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for rare and severe diseases of the eye. KALA's biologics-based investigational therapies utilize KALA's proprietary mesenchymal stem cell secretome (MSC-S) platform. KALA's lead product candidate, KPI-012, is a human MSC-S, which contains numerous human-derived biofactors, such as growth factors, protease inhibitors, matrix proteins and neurotrophic factors that can potentially correct the impaired corneal healing that is an underlying etiology of multiple severe ocular diseases. KPI-012 is currently in clinical development for the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defect (PCED), a rare disease of impaired corneal healing, for which it has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. KALA is also targeting the potential development of KPI-012 for the treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency and other rare corneal diseases that threaten vision and has initiated preclinical studies to evaluate the potential utility of its MSC-S platform for retinal degenerative diseases, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa and Stargardt Disease. For more information on KALA, please visit Investor Contact: Taylor Steiner 212-362-1200
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why is Elon Musk fixing US schools while the government stalls? xAI tackles Memphis HVAC failures
Elon Musk's xAI helps repair US school infrastructure as Memphis battles $1B maintenance gap Elon Musk 's artificial intelligence company, xAI, is helping Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) upgrade outdated infrastructure, including HVAC systems, at several schools near its newly established facility in Memphis. The work is being done through in-kind donations and is part of a broader push by Musk-linked organizations to support education and youth services in Memphis. According to a representative from xAI, as reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the company has already completed some HVAC-related repairs at multiple schools, including getting fans operational and opening ductwork in April and May. These efforts are focused on campuses near xAI's first supercomputer data center in the city. Inspections at schools near xAI's Memphis facility xAI has inspected facilities at John P Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the company evaluated HVAC and plumbing systems, athletic fields, and gyms. The inspections were conducted alongside principals and school administrators, resulting in what the xAI representative described as a "large list" of items needing attention. MSCS is facing over $1 billion in deferred maintenance, much of it linked to aging infrastructure across its buildings. xAI's representative noted that the company contracted a local firm to donate "time and material labor" for the repairs. As per MSCS policy, in-kind donations under $499 are accepted by principals, while those between $500 and $14,999 require the superintendent's approval, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. STEM workshops and tech donations in the works In addition to infrastructure support, xAI is planning to launch STEM workshops for local students and donate equipment to technical training programs. The company is also supporting job fairs aimed at expanding employment opportunities in the area. "These initiatives reflect xAI's commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis," the company stated, as reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal. The company has also cleaned up over 100 tons of garbage and debris from roadways within a five-mile radius of its data center. Musk Foundation steps in to support after-school programs Separately, the Musk Foundation, a private charitable organization founded by Elon Musk and his brother Kimbal Musk, donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, this donation allows two high school club sites—Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School—to reopen after being closed in May due to funding shortfalls. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis had received $9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in 2021. These federal funds were time-limited and had to be obligated by the end of 2024. The donation will cover operational costs such as salaries, transportation, and program supplies for nearly 1,000 students. Elon Musk said in a statement that "kids are the future of humanity" and emphasized the need to give them "every chance to shoot for the stars," as quoted by the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Michael Garriga, Board Chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, said the organization was "very grateful" for the donation and that it would help youth in the community develop skills for success. Additional local support for Memphis youth In addition to the Musk Foundation's contribution, Shelby County Government donated $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in early June, as reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Here are all of the dates Memphis-Shelby County Schools students will be off this year
The start of the 2025-26 school year is officially here for Memphis-area students. For students enrolled in the largest school district in the state of Tennessee, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, they have some days to look forward to if they are already craving another break. In total, MSCS students will have plenty of days off between Aug. 4, 2025, and May 21, 2026. Here are the dates that MSCS students will not be in school this upcoming school year. What days are MSCS students out of school? MSCS students will begin school on Aug. 4. The school year will end May 21, 2026. They will be out of school for the following days: Sept. 1: Labor Day Oct. 13-17: Fall Break Nov. 10: In-service day Nov. 11: Veterans Day Nov. 24-28: Thanksgiving Break Dec. 22-Jan. 5: Winter Break Jan. 19: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Feb. 13: Professional development day for teachers Feb. 16: Presidents Day March 16-20: Spring break April 3-6: Spring break II This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis-Shelby County Schools holiday, vacation dates: See the list Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bolton football's Joshua Henderson, 16, dies after complications from heat stroke
Joshua Henderson, a Bolton High School football player who'd been hospitalized since collapsing during a July 7 practice, died on July 26, Memphis Shelby County Schools announced in a statement on July 27. "It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of a beloved Bolton High School (BHS) student, Joshua Henderson," said MSCS. "He was not only an exceptional athlete and dedicated scholar, but also a source of light and joy to all who knew him. His kindness, determination, and positive spirit left a lasting impression on classmates, teachers, and our entire BHS community." On a GoFundMe page being used to raise money for funeral expenses, Henderson's family wrote that he suffered a severe heat stroke and had been receiving treatment at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. "After bravely fighting for his life in the hospital, Josh transitioned due to complications from organ failure caused by a severe heat stroke," the family wrote. "Josh was only 16 years old, full of life, laughter, and promise. He was deeply loved by his parents, siblings, extended family, and all who knew him. His sudden loss has left our hearts shattered and our world forever changed." MSCS said that grief counselors and support staff will be available at the school in the coming days for any students in need. Bolton finished 8-3 last season, and is slated to begin it's season vs. White Station on Aug. 22. Wendell Shepherd Jr. is The Commercial Appeal's high school sports beat writer. Reach Wendell at or on X @wendellsjr_. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Bolton football player dies at 16 from heat stroke complications
