Catalysts

How can we make progress on a problem as huge and seemingly intractable as poverty? How can we not? There is no silver bullet to eradicating poverty, but all across the country, a diverse array of social entrepreneurs are doing their part to take on this monumental challenge, building amazing organizations that are having a real impact in their communities. Catalysts, a Freethink original series presented by Stand Together, will take viewers to the frontlines of the fight against poverty to understand the challenges we face and meet the people behind some of the most innovative solutions to this complicated issue.

Catalysts Grid

Catalysts

Introducing Catalysts

Catalysts

Introducing Catalysts

It’s time to change how we make change. Join us as we meet inspiring social entrepreneurs who are exploring bold new solutions to big social problems.

February 19, 2019

Catalysts

Can the Apartment Industry Help Solve Homelessness?

Catalysts

Can the Apartment Industry Help Solve Homelessness?

Meet the innovative group connecting people with housing — and a job that can pay for it.

March 21, 2019

Over 80% of people experiencing homelessness are "situationally homeless" -- losing their housing after a lost job or unforeseen incident. This can spiral quickly into other issues that make it difficult to recover. Shelters to Shutters is an innovative organization that identified a solution that addresses both needs and connects individuals experiencing homelessness to both an entry level job and an apartment in order to help them get back on…

Catalysts

A Game-Changer for Chronic Homelessness

Catalysts

A Game-Changer for Chronic Homelessness

He turned a food truck for the homeless into a thriving 51-acre community.

March 29, 2019

Mobile Loaves & Fishes is an organization with a new approach to tackling homelessness - putting community first. Their Community First! Village provides affordable, long-term housing for the chronically homeless. They find through housing and a community that emphasizes respect and relationships, chronically homeless individuals are able to finally heal from trauma and begin to thrive, work, and live better lives. Social entrepreneur Alan Graham started Mobile Loaves & Fishes…

Catalysts

Could This Be the Future of Foster Care?

Catalysts

Could This Be the Future of Foster Care?

Take a look inside a town built for foster families

May 1, 2019

Peppers Ranch is a community of a dozen families raising at least five foster kids. Is it a model for providing better foster care to more kids? In this episode of Catalysts, we visit Peppers Ranch and meet some of the people and families who call it home. We talk to foster child Scott, who was close to aging out of foster care but unprepared to live on his own.…

Catalysts

A Home Helping Teen Moms Break the Cycle of Generational Poverty

Catalysts

A Home Helping Teen Moms Break the Cycle of Generational Poverty

Hope House in Denver is changing lives for generations to come.

June 19, 2019

Teen pregnancy is highly linked to poverty and lower educational outcomes. Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by age 22, compared with 90% of women without a teen birth. This is a vulnerable population who often have nowhere to turn. Early and effective intervention can give mothers the tools to continue their education and become self-sufficient, giving them a path to self-sufficiency changes lives for…

Catalysts

Stopping Gang Violence with Love

Catalysts

Stopping Gang Violence with Love

This nonprofit is doing the impossible - finding the 10% of gang members responsible for 90% of the crime, and leading them to successful, positive lives.

July 10, 2019

“Society gave up on us” - but this community didn’t. Meet UTEC, the organization breaking the cycle of recidivism by helping hardened previously imprisoned gang members walk a better path in Lowell, Massachusetts. UTEC - or United Teen Equality Center - is a non-profit dedicated to stopping gang violence. Obviously, it’s not easy - in Lowell, MA there are over 25 gangs operating, and many gang members have been in…