Concordance

This week we’re celebrating Susan Stith’s two-year anniversary as CEO of Concordance! 🎉

Susan joined Concordance with more than two decades of executive leadership. She is a nationally recognized thought leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and before joining Concordance, retired from Cigna as the Vice President, DEI, Civic Affairs and President of the Cigna Foundation.

Over the past two years, her leadership has helped guide us through an exciting period of growth, strengthen our impact, and advance our mission. She leads with heart, purpose, and a contagious energy that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Join us in congratulating Susan on two incredible years of leadership. Happy anniversary, Susan!

📍Our Richmond, Virginia Center has opened a clothing closet, and we need your help stocking the shelves!

This free resource for our participants provides business and business casual clothing items to support preparations for job interviews. We are currently seeking donations of men’s:
➜ Collared shirts
➜ Business and business casual pants
➜ Belts
➜ Shoes

✨ We are asking that items be new or gently used and laundered before donation. ✨

For drop off coordination in Richmond, Virginia, please contact Kris Keating at (804) 701 – 4702 or [email protected].

Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

What started organically has become the mantra of our St. Louis Center.

Each morning, participants and team members gather at Morning Circle to connect before the day begins. As morning circle comes to a close, these six words are spoken together.

These words represent the mindset we bring to each day. They remind us to stay focused, show up for one another, and keep moving forward, one day at a time.

With clear eyes, and full hearts, we can’t lose.

Last month, Concordance team members across our St. Louis, Richmond, and Greenville-Spartanburg Centers came together for our third ever organization-wide Town Hall.

Together, we celebrated wins, shared updates and feedback, and reflected on our work and our mission. Team members also heard from Susan Stith, our CEO, and members of the executive team, who shared exciting updates about Concordance’s future and what lies ahead.

👏 Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our team members that continue to move our mission forward each day!

One year ago, James was released from incarceration. Today, he’s celebrating one year of stability, sobriety, and success.

“One year ago today around this time, I was released from Tyger River. I've made it a whole year with no law interactions, drug relapses, graduated from Concordance, and have held the same job and housing this whole time. It's been hard but I wouldn't have been able to be where I'm at now without the help from you and everyone there at the center. I love y'all and hope everyone is doing good.”

-James, Concordance Alumni

James’ success is made possible because of our community that believes in real first chances. Together we can help more individuals rebuild their lives and create brighter futures. Make your impact today.

🔗https://concordance.org/donate/

Once a participant, always a participant.

That is the sentiment here. After graduating from Concordance, participants leave their mark on our Alumni Wall with a handprint and their initials. A permanent reminder of how far they’ve come and the community they’ll always be a part of.

Home isn't always the place you return to. Sometimes it's the place you build.

After his release from incarceration, Laurent found himself in an unfamiliar city with no support system and no roadmap for what came next. Through Concordance, he found the tools, guidance, and opportunities to move from uncertainty to stability.

Today, he's giving back to his community while continuing to build a brighter future.

His story is proof that when people are given the right support, they are able to rebuild their lives, and in turn help strengthen the communities around them.

🔗 Read how Laurent went from stranger to neighbor:

Laurent's Story: From Stranger to Neighbor When Laurent was released from incarceration, he wasn't returning to the place he called home.Originally located in Kansas City, Missouri, he had never

🎉 Congratulations to the newest Career Readiness Training (CRT) graduates at our Greenville-Spartanburg Center!

Through CRT, participants build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in today’s workforce. This training course includes resume writing, interview preparation, workplace communication, and professional development.

We’re proud of each graduate for reaching this important milestone and taking the next step toward employment!

🎉Congratulations to John McKeithan from our Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina Center on earning his Peer Support Certification on June 13th!

This Certification is a significant professional milestone that requires extensive training, lived experience, and a commitment to helping our participants. Our Peer Support Specialists are an integral part of Concordance, requiring a deep understanding of the participant experience to provide mentorship and guidance.

John's achievement reflects his dedication to professional growth and his fidelity to our program. Congrats, John!

Today is National Self-Care Day, marking the close of Self-Care Month (June 24 – July 24).

July 24 was chosen as National Self-Care Day because self-care is something we can practice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. According to the World Health Organization, self-care is "individuals, families and communities promoting and maintaining their own health, preventing disease, and coping with illness and disability, with or without the support of a health worker.”

At Concordance, we believe caring for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s foundational. Today is a reminder to make time for yourself, not just today, but every day.