Partner Spotlight

   A Trusted World Network partner gets international attention for its thriving program, which sees fewer felons returning to prison. So impressed by the Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (or TORI), the Canadian government is planning to implement a similar program. 

   Tina Naidoo, TORI’s Executive Director, says having a reliable and trusted partner providing resources on demand makes a huge difference in helping thier clients. 

“The simplicity in which we can get the things that we need, in the time that we need it, I think that’s something that Trusted World has really mastered,” Naidoo says. 

 “There isn’t a lot of red tape; there isn’t a lot of processes and forms. It’s just ‘you need it, we have it, let’s do it.”

   Aside from the simplicity and efficiency, Naidoo says she’s impressed by the thought and intent that goes into every order, “When they get it, it’s already packaged in a way that was done with care. And when you receive something like that, it feels like a gift. You know, it’s not just something off of a rack, at the bottom of the shelf, you know, and that adds to the feeling of ‘You’ve restored my humanity. You see me as more than a number, and my life matters.’ Like, it says all those things without saying it.” 

   The partnership, she says, helps rebuild trust with her clients and the community by letting them know that someone is on their side, “I definitely believe that we have to build back the trust between the community and the clients, the people that we serve because without trust, we can’t do ourselves any service.” 

   Naidoo says “Trust” is another reason so few TORI clients return to prison. The National recidivism rate is 44%; TORI’s is just 11%. 

                     Cultivating Community Connections

   Companies are doing everything they can to effectively compete in today’s marketplace by better connecting with the communities they serve. 

   Atmos Energy’s fueling safe and thriving communities initiative weaves itself into the very fabric of the communities where its employees live and work. 

   Supporters say that’s why it’s effective: it collaborates with key partners and organizations in the best position to see signs of situational poverty and quickly provides the tools and resources to help. 

   “I was blown away,” Atmos Energy Public Affairs Manager Eva Hummel recalls her first visit to Trusted World. “I had never seen a process like that; I also loved the fact that they worked with other nonprofits. It was just a whole different way of thinking.” Envisioning a way for Atmos to help Trusted World make an even greater community impact, Hummel joined Trusted World’s Board of Directors and invited many Atmos volunteers along the way.

   Hummel says, “The culture of Atmos Energy and our Fueling safe and thriving communities, and everything that Trusted World does hit all three of our pillars.”

   The synergy, Hummel says, strengthens Atmos’ community connections by working with first responders, kids, and neighbors. In the same way, Trusted World addresses situational poverty through school counselors, ‘nonprofit case managers, and police,” I knew it was a great fit for Atmos Energy.” 

   Volunteering Atmos employees agree, “We’re not just selling gas. We’re selling hope, opportunity, and safety to the public. A company that invests in people sees us as people, and affords us this opportunity; it’s really inspiring to work for a company like that,” says Jarrell Betts.

   Atmos sponsored Trusted World’s first two awards breakfasts, where the ‘best people’ and organizations in the Trusted World Network are recognized and celebrated. 

   In 2022, Atmos recieved the Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility Award, showcasing the strength of the unique and impactful partnership.

“She saw the potential Trusted World had before the City of Garland saw the potential,” says Trusted World Founder and CEO Michael Garrett, talking about the City of Garland giving the organization a 70-year lease to build its world Headquarters in Garland. He says Hummel understands the platform and the organization’s ability to scale and replicate anywhere in the world. “They gave us five million dollars worth of land for us to stay in the City of Garland. And Eva saw all of this before they did.”

   They share a common vision of a better world and embrace the innovation and collaboration it takes to make a significant impact. “Nothing seems to surprise me anymore with Michael because he is just always looking for innovative ways to make a difference in the community,” says Hummel.

                                    Make a Difference 

   If you’d like to help make a difference, go to TrustedWorld.org, click on volunteer experiences, and sign up. If you’d like to explore other ways to help, you can go to the same website, and under the ways to give link, click on needs to find the items the Network most needs. For clothing donations, one of our key sponsors, the Credit Union of Texas, has donation dropoff bins in every one of their North Texas branches. Next to the bin is a banner with a QR code if you want to donate money.

   You’ll find a complete list of dropoff bin locations on the Trusted World website.

   That’s a look at the headlines from around the Trusted World Network, where you can join us in helping people help people.