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

Introducing Catalysts

Introducing 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

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,...

The Mental Health Movement for Chicago’s Inner City Youth

mental health for chicago youth

The Mental Health Movement for Chicago’s Inner City Youth

A remarkable transformation is taking place in several inner-city Chicago schools, and it's resulting in fewer gangs, drugs, and homicides. Could this new model of group therapy be the cause, and is it scalable?

November 13, 2019

A remarkable transformation is taking place in several inner-city Chicago schools, and it's resulting in fewer gangs, drugs, and homicides. Could this new model of group therapy be the cause, and is it scalable?

Women Supporting Women to Overcome the Trauma of Abuse

Women Supporting Women to Overcome the Trauma of Abuse

Women Supporting Women to Overcome the Trauma of Abuse

When domestic violence survivors share their stories, they feel empowered and find their voice. At Leap to Success, women have the opportunity to do both, forming a clear path to healing from the trauma of abuse.

October 23, 2019

When domestic violence survivors share their stories, they feel empowered and find their voice. At Leap to Success, women have the opportunity to do both, forming a clear path to healing from the trauma of abuse.

Investing in Families to Escape Poverty

Investing in Families to Escape Poverty

Investing in Families to Escape Poverty

The greatest investment of all may be in people’s strengths and initiative. This nonprofit is doing just that, and it’s working.

October 2, 2019

The greatest investment of all may be in people’s strengths and initiative. This nonprofit is doing just that, and it’s working.

OGU: Original Gangsters United Ending Gang Violence

Can Former Bloods and Crips Unite to Break the Cycle of Violence?

OGU: Original Gangsters United Ending Gang Violence

For the children of Dallas, these ex gang leaders may be their only chance.

September 10, 2019

What do you get when former Bloods and Crips gang leaders come together? Original Gangsters United, a pathway to ending gang opposition, promoting peace, and saving younger generations from senseless violence. Antong Lucky is a former Bloods gang leader in Dallas, Texas. Like most children, Antong never aspired to be a part of a gang or to end up in prison. But sadly, many communities affected by peer pressure and gang violence leave kids with no choice. When Antong left prison, he began working to bring opposing Dallas gang leaders together to put an end to gang violence. And it worked.

A School Made for Homeless Children

A School Made for Homeless Children

A School Made for Homeless Children

When a child faces chaos at home, it's impossible to learn. This school is doing whatever it takes to help homeless students and their families create better lives.

August 28, 2019

When you think of homelessness, you typically don't picture homeless children. However, every year, approximately 2.5 million children experience homelessness. Homeless children can't learn when they don't know where their next meal is coming from, or what is waiting for them at home. They often struggle in public schools where they feel out of place, or unable to keep up because they've missed schooling in the past....

The Lost Art of Apprenticeship

The Lost Art of Apprenticeship

The Lost Art of Apprenticeship

After his dad died, he struggled in high school and ended up getting a DUI. Stuck in dead-end jobs, he responded to a nonprofit’s post for free skilled labor training - and his whole life changed.

August 14, 2019

The Master’s Apprentice is an organization that recruits young people from rough backgrounds - and gives them the skills to find quality careers in the trades. “There’s a huge gap between youth looking for an opportunity... and businesses looking for quality employees.” It’s been a problem for a long time. Urban youth without college educations find few opportunities, and often get stuck in menial jobs. On the other...

Racing out of Homelessness

Racing out of Homelessness

Racing out of Homelessness

This running club that meets at 5:45am is helping the homeless transform their lives.

July 31, 2019

It’s 5am in New York City. Most people aren’t awake yet; a few might still be up from the night before. But a group of people with a special organization is gathering for a morning run. Back on My Feet is a nonprofit community that’s helping people struggling with homelessness or recovering from drug addiction begin their journey towards self-sufficiency: employment, housing, and a sustainable income. While members might...

A Game-Changer for Chronic Homelessness

A Game-Changer for Chronic Homelessness

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....

Can the Apartment Industry Help Solve Homelessness?

Can the Apartment Industry Help Solve Homelessness?

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...

Could This Be the Future of Foster Care?

Could This Be the Future of Foster Care?

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. We also meet Tonya Ratcliff, a mother of 13 children who felt...

A Home Helping Teen Moms Break the Cycle of Generational Poverty

A Home Helping Teen Moms Break the Cycle of Generational Poverty

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...

Stopping Gang Violence with Love

Stopping Gang Violence with Love

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 prison...