Looking Glass Community Services’ Post

Delighted to share a conversation between Laurel McCombs, Robert Osborne, and me. Our topic: the hiring and retention crisis that makes it difficult to recruit and retain fundraisers. What's going on? How to do we fix it? If you're hiring development staff -- or trying to hang on to the ones you have -- read this post. https://lnkd.in/emRXCCdD

This is a crucial reminder for all hiring managers and HR professionals! Building a relationship with recruiters before urgent hiring needs arise can significantly enhance the quality of support you receive; the better we know you and your team, the better we know what kind of candidate will be a fit! Taking the time to connect and share insights about your team's dynamics can ensure a smoother and more effective recruitment process when you DO need urgent help 😀 #Recruitment #Hiring #HRAdvice

🌟 A Fresh Start, A Brighter Future🌟 The Illinois Clean Slate Initiative is transforming lives by helping individuals with past convictions overcome barriers to employment. With over 50,000 job openings in Illinois, this program not only boosts our economy but also gives people the opportunity to rebuild and thrive. Don’t let the past define the future. Take the first step toward clearing your record and unlocking new possibilities today! Learn more and take action:  🔗https://lnkd.in/gygTSCD5 #CleanSlateIL #RealSecondChances #SecondChancesMatter #JobOpportunities #CareerGrowth #CriminalJusticeReform #NewBeginnings

📰 Op-ed by our founder and CEO, Aaron Hurst, in today's The Seattle Times. 📰 **Businesses ‘onboard’ new hires. Maybe Seattle should try it** "For their first year, we’ll connect newcomers to Seattle with the people, places and events that make our city amazing, and suggest opportunities for them to engage as volunteers and supporters of local business. In addition, we have created a research-based “6 Points of Connection” that anyone can use to strengthen their social bonds, from establishing an emergency neighborhood contact to cultivating a “third place” to hang out and scheduling 1:1 weekly social interactions. We can make Seattle the most welcoming city in America if we put our minds to it. Goodbye, Seattle Freeze. Hello, Seattle Bear Hug." Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gHTnCytf

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸! Little Rock is experiencing a remarkable surge in nonfarm employment, jumping from just 𝟬.𝟳% 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 to an impressive 𝟯.𝟬% 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿. 🚀 This growth not only highlights the resilience of the local workforce but also positions Little Rock as a dynamic player in the regional economy. According to Moody’s supply analysis, while Raleigh-Durham, NC faces challenges with a -2.57% growth rate, Little Rock stands strong at 𝟬.𝟵𝟱%. These numbers reflect the hard work of businesses and the talent within the community. As innovation and collaboration continue to thrive, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for Little Rock! Credits to Bo Diamond for the educational content on the market and their great description of calculating return including tax deferrals. This was part of our due diligence on the property and outreach for potential investment opportunities. 𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨! 💪✨ #LittleRock #EconomicGrowth #CommunitySuccess #JobMarket #Resilience  #AvestorFundManager #JKAMInvestments #AlternativeInvestments

The recent devastation caused by the Eaton Fire in Altadena weighs heavily on my mind—not just for the loss of property but for the potential erasure of a history deeply rooted in resilience and community. Altadena holds a unique place in the narrative of Black America. During times when housing discrimination and racially restrictive covenants kept so many from homeownership, Altadena provided a rare space where Black families could build, thrive, and create generational roots. This foundation fostered a community rich in culture, achievements, and history, much of which continues to shape the fabric of this area. When a fire like this strikes, it doesn’t just consume physical spaces—it risks erasing the intangible: artifacts, heirlooms, and stories that connect us to those who came before. It’s a stark reminder that our history is fragile, especially when tied to places that have endured so much struggle to even exist. So how do we move forward? How do we preserve, recover, and protect the culture and legacy of places like Altadena? • Community Archives: Can we rally to document and digitize artifacts, oral histories, and photos that tell the story of communities before they’re lost forever? • Restoration Efforts: How do we ensure rebuilding efforts reflect the history and culture of this space rather than erasing it? • Cultural Advocacy: What role can we play in advocating for resources and programs that prioritize preserving historically significant communities? The Eaton Fire is a heartbreaking reminder of the work we still need to do to preserve our shared history. But it also presents an opportunity to unite, rebuild, and honor the legacy of those who came before us. Let’s ensure that the stories of communities like Altadena continue to be told for future generations. #culturaladvocacy #Preservation #community #EatonFire DLR Group

Embrace the role of a community hero by hiring people with criminal records. This approach not only paves the way for safer communities by aiding in the rehabilitation process, but it also forges a path toward communal resilience and prosperity. By giving these individuals a chance at gainful employment, your company contributes to reducing repeat offenses and encourages positive societal contributions. Interested in transforming lives and enhancing community strength? Reach out to the Made New Foundation to learn how your hiring decisions can foster a brighter future for everyone involved.

🌍 When the Unexpected Hits Close to Home 🌍 Luigi Mangione—wanted for a New York killing—made his last stop in Altoona, PA. Ten minutes from my hometown. A town of freight trains, fast food joints, and people who mind their own business. Until they don’t. The man was found at a McDonald’s I’ve driven past a thousand times, a golden-arched waypoint for coffee and late-night fries. A fugitive hiding in plain sight, beneath the hum of fluorescent lights and the quiet indifference of a drive-thru window. Governor Shapiro weighed in: “This suspect traveled between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, making stops in between, obviously, here in Altoona. I want to ask all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to help us with any tips that they might have by contacting us at 800-4PA-TIPS.” Altoona, of all places. A town that doesn’t look for trouble, but trouble found it anyway. And now we’re left with a story that raises more questions than answers: Why here? Was Altoona just another pin on a map, or did he think small-town anonymity could swallow him whole? How does someone hide in plain sight? Sitting under buzzing lights, surrounded by kids, tired workers, and people too wrapped up in their lives to notice a man on the run. What does it say about us? Are we tuned out? Or just so used to chaos that we don’t recognize it when it pulls up for a Big Mac? But here’s the thing about small towns—people do notice. A weird face. A car that doesn’t belong. Someone lingering too long. The connections here run deep, and when something feels off, it echoes. So I’ll ask this: How present are we, really? How much do we miss when we’re too busy, too distracted, or too disconnected to look up and see what’s right in front of us? Maybe this is just a story of one man on the run. Or maybe it’s a reminder to wake up, pay attention, and stay curious. Because the unexpected can show up anywhere—even at a McDonald’s in Altoona. #Community #Curiosity #Altoona #Pennsylvania

This week marks one year since I was fired from my previous job, and I can honestly say that it is one of the best things to ever happen to me. At the time, I was devastated that I would no longer be able to serve the community that I loved. Making York a better place for all people was a goal that I devoted so much time and energy to, and the community definitely shaped me in many ways. Shortly after my departure, however, I quickly realized that it wasn’t necessarily that specific community that I loved so much. I’m just passionate about the idea of community, in general! I absolutely love making places better–places where people have a high quality of life, places where people want to raise their children, places that people are proud to call home, places where the common response to problems isn’t “It sucks here,” but rather “What can I do to make things better here?” Since building my own business as a Marketing, Placemaking, and Walkability Consultant, I’ve had the privilege of working with not just one community, but 22 communities, representing 11 different states across the country. A few highlights? Working on a feasibility study for a community makerspace, writing a marketing plan for a Black cultural center, providing technical assistance for community walk audits, assessing the implementation of a nationwide grant program supporting active transportation in rural and indigenous communities, designing social media content for a world class bike trail, presenting at the national Main Street conference, promoting a nonprofit serving single mothers and another promoting economic and social mobility of Black and Brown individuals, and helping a nationally-celebrated Main Street program assess potential revenue streams. I have been very busy this year and more importantly, I have been able to help create and support quality places; places that are livable, walkable, desirable, and equitable. And not only that but my work has allowed my family to move to a community that better aligns with our values and supports our growth. It wasn’t an easy year, but I certainly learned a lot. Here’s a quick summary: 1. Therapy helps. 2. I don’t deserve to work for toxic people in toxic places. 3. Quality of place matters. 4. Don’t underestimate how healthy, fulfilling, and freaking awesome it is to live in a walkable community. So, yeah. Getting fired from that job wasn’t that bad after all…