Men of the Mission receive new suits.
Central Union staff members, along with Andrew Kovalcin of Advanced Advocacy and David Smith from IFA, sit with the recipients of new suits from the Workforce Development and Education Program.

Today, Central Union Mission accepted hundreds of dry-cleaned suits, shirts, ties and shoes from Advanced Advocacy that were donated by local congressmen, senators, lobbyists and other DC professionals. For six years, Advanced Advocacy has consistently partnered with Central Union Mission to support the rehabilitation of our residents by supplying them with suits as they prepare to enter the workforce. International Franchise Association also played an integral role in the success of this suit drive.

Central Union staff members, along with Andrew Kovalcin of Advanced Advocacy and David Smith from IFA, sit with the recipients of new suits from the Workforce Development and Education Program

According to Joe Mettimano, Mission President & CEO, "When you look good, you feel good, and because of Advanced Advocacy and this amazing suit drive, our program graduates can head to their job interviews with confidence, equipped to display their new competence and skills."

According to Andrew Kovalcin of Advanced Advocacy, "We're dedicated to making a positive impact in people's lives as they make the journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Over the past six years, we have provided over one thousand business suits to eliminate one of the barriers men face when looking for employment. We've witnessed firsthand how equipping an individual with the right clothes can empower them in their transformation and be critical for their personal growth. The continued success of the annual suit drive shows that even a small company, combined with the help and donations of others, can make a big difference in someone's life and in our local community."

Beyond the core services of nutritious food and safe, clean beds, Central Union Mission offers several life-changing programs for men. The Restoration & Transformation Program helps them overcome addictions, reconcile with family, study the Bible and take responsibility for their attitudes and actions. Men can also join the Workforce Development & Education Program, which offers employment readiness training and soft skills, actual hands-on, wage-earning work in a mentored setting and finally, placement in an outside job and independent living situation.

"IFA is a proud partner with Advanced Advocacy to support Central Union Mission and all they are doing to help disadvantaged men in the greater D.C. community enter the workforce," said Rikki Amos, Executive Director of the IFA Foundation. "One suit can go a long way in helping establish confidence and pride, and we thank IFA member ZIPS Cleaners for making this effort possible. Serving the community is central to the work of local franchises, like ZIPS, and we are grateful for the opportunity to further this mission and give back to those around us."

For interviews and photos, please contact Deborah Chambers, VP, Development & Partnerships, at 202-534-9965 or [email protected].

About Central Union Mission:

Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the oldest private social service agency in Washington, DC. In addition to its emergency shelter, which provides more than 60,000 bed-nights each year, the Mission operates holistic, Christ-centered transformation and workforce development programs for men, provides benefits for veterans, helps people overcome addictions, operates a food and clothing distribution center which provides food for over 4,000 people each month, runs a camp for underprivileged children, and offers a ministry to families and senior citizens. Charity Navigator has rated Central Union Mission a three-star charity, Candid awarded Central Union Mission a Gold Seal for our financial transparency, and GreatNonProfits has given Central Union Mission a Top-Rated award.

About Advanced Advocacy:

Advanced Advocacy is an independent advocacy and public affairs firm that specializes in issue campaigns, coalition management, third parties and alliances, grassroots activation and community engagement.

About The International Franchise Association:

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 775,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.2 million direct jobs, $787.7 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

Passport Index app
The world's passports in your pocket

The Passport Index has published its latest update today, showing that global mobility is rising, despite the eruption of conflict in Europe and growing tensions over borders. Though the world continues to feel the aftershocks of the pandemic, surprisingly, traveling has never been easier, with steady growth in passport power, a trend that is predicted to continue into 2023. Across these findings, what stands out, in particular, is that the passport of almost every single country around the world became more powerful this year. 

Table 1: Top 10 changes in mobility score   

Table 2: Bottom 10 changes in mobility score

This may be surprising given the ongoing war in Ukraine in combination with systemic pressures on international supply chains. However, the latest data from the Passport Index indicates strong mobility growth. Whilst the removal of Covid-19 restrictions has certainly played a role, countries around the world have also been keen to reap the economic benefits offered by enabling easy movement around the world. Passport power around the world has increased by an average of 16 points this year, with just one country, Vanuatu, seeing its mobility score fall. This was due to the suspension of their visa waiver scheme with the European Union. The fact the power of their passport has fallen by just seven points despite this indicates strong growth elsewhere.

Table 3: 10 most powerful passports (2022)

Not only are passports becoming more powerful, but countries are becoming increasingly open to visa-free arrivals. Prior to the pandemic, the average growth of the World Openness Score was 3.6% a year. After the impact of the pandemic, the score experienced a decline of 65%, falling from 21,360 to 12,944. Since then, growth has rebounded spectacularly, with an average growth rate of 18.8%. At the end of 2022, this score now stands at 21,695; the highest it's ever been. 

The finding of general growth in global mobility does, however, obscure some of the winners and losers this year. The UK falls into this latter category: though it has seen its global mobility score rise again, its year-on-year gains have stagnated relative to other European states, such as France. This trend appears set to continue as the UK struggles to strike the visa agreements achieved by states within the EU. This is largely attributable to the consequences of leaving the common market.

Alongside the rise in passport power around the world, countries, in general, have become more welcoming, with a greater number of countries accepting more passports visa-free, with visa on arrival, or with electronic travel agreement. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Africa, where many countries, especially those in Central and West Africa, have continued to create a travel environment that is accessible to all, no matter the nationality on your passport. The Passport Index's Welcoming Countries Rank shows that 15 of the 23 most welcoming countries in the world are found in Africa, welcoming 198 countries out of 199. 

Hrant Boghossian, Co-founder of the Passport Index, commented that "the rise in passport power that we have seen this year brings great cause for optimism. The world has surpassed the benchmark of 'openness' set prior to the pandemic, and there are strong indicators that this upward trend is here to stay. It is particularly encouraging to see such growth at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and economic turmoil, indicating that countries agree that a world with fewer borders has the potential to address some of the defining challenges of the 21^st century."

Trevor Maxwell, Founder of Man Up to Cancer

Not many men open up about what it's really like to face cancer - no filters, no pretense. But Trevor Maxwell, a husband and father of two young girls and founder of Man Up to Cancer, is changing that story. 

In March 2018, Maxwell was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer and has since undergone five major surgeries and more than 50 rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. 

In Maxwell's new book, "Open Heart, Warrior Spirit: A Man's Guide to Living with Cancer," he tells the story of one patient's quest to create a 'wolfpack' for men with cancer. The book not only explains why men go into their man caves when facing a cancer diagnosis but provides a roadmap for surviving and thriving through treatment. 

"For men with cancer, there's an old road to travel, and you're supposed to walk alone. Don't show pain. Don't burden others. Don't talk about it," Maxwell said. "The trouble is, isolation during cancer leads to mental health problems and worse medical outcomes. This book offers a new road for men facing cancer where we share the burden, accept help, and give help along the way. It's a wolfpack mentality. We're stronger and smarter as a pack than we are as lone wolves." 

Patrick Dempsey, known worldwide for his iconic television and film roles, met Maxwell in 2019 through the Dempsey Center, which provides counseling, nutrition, exercise, and other services to cancer patients and their families. Dempsey's endorsement appears on the back cover of Maxwell's book. 

"Trevor writes with authenticity, generosity, and heart. For men facing cancer and the people who love them, this book is a game changer," said Patrick Dempsey. 

Maxwell also founded "Man Up to Cancer," a purpose-driven company and support community, with a mission to inspire men to avoid isolation during the cancer journey. Through this community, the hearts of countless men across the country and around the world have been opened, helping them share their fears and burdens so they can find their warrior spirits and better fight their disease. Since its inception, Man Up to Cancer has grown into a thriving international community with a popular podcast and sought-after swag. The testimonials from those who have found Man Up to Cancer speak to the group's effect on their lives. 

"Open Heart, Warrior Spirit: A Man's Guide to Living with Cancer" is currently available through Amazon and can be accessed here. 

Maxwell resides in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with his wife and two daughters. 

About Man Up to Cancer

Man Up to Cancer inspires men to connect and avoid isolation during their cancer journeys. Founded in 2020 by a Stage IV colon cancer survivor, the purpose-driven company and online community offers a podcast, annual retreat, and Facebook group with more than 2,000 men impacted by cancer. Man Up to Cancer also operates a Chemo Backpack program, sending backpacks filled with practical items to men going through chemotherapy. 

For more information, visit www.manuptocancer.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

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Trevor Maxwell, Founder of Man Up to Cancer

Open Heart, Warrior Spirit: A Man's Guide to Living with Cancer
Book Cover

Open Heart, Warrior Spirit (back cover)

Sheldon Smith, the founder of The Dovetail Project, a 501(c)(3) organization that gives young fathers within marginalized communities a better understanding of the responsibilities of fatherhood and their importance in the lives of their children, is featured in the 2022 'People of the Year' issue of People Magazine, out now. This issue features a two-page article highlighting Smith's inspirational story of how he went from being charged as an adult for armed robbery at the age of 17 to building a successful nonprofit program that provides young Black and Brown men the necessary resources they need to become better fathers.

Smith's organization, The Dovetail Project, rewrites the narrative of Black and Brown men between the ages of 17 to 24 by providing the education, skills, and support needed to be better fathers for their children and better men in their communities. The Dovetail Project's 12-week curriculum emphasizes the roles, rights and responsibilities of fatherhood, felony street law and how to maintain an active, engaged presence in their children's lives. Upon completing the program, fathers receive a $500 stipend, are coached and prepared for job opportunities, GED registration and completion, or enrollment in a trade training program.

In the article, Smith shares his experience growing up with an absent father and how it led him to spiral out of control. As a result, he was thrown into Cook County jail at the age of 17 but was able to overcome that adversity and receive a second chance. Today, Smith has helped nearly 600 young men become better fathers and built the nation's largest nonprofit fatherhood initiative.

In People Magazine, he states, "I wanted to break the cycle." After becoming a father at the age of 21, he never wanted his daughter to feel the loss that he felt with his father.

Sheldon Smith and The Dovetail Project have been recognized by prominent figures such as Michelle Obama in addition to national media features on the TODAY Show, ELLEN, CNN, Forbes, BBC, Chicago Tribune, Black Enterprise and more.

Smith and The Dovetail Project recently celebrated its 6th annual Turkeys and Trees Giveaway event to Chicago families through The Dovetail Project Fatherhood Relief Fund, an initiative of the Dovetail Project, with support from generous leading sponsors Roquan Smith (former #58 Chicago Bears, current #18 Baltimore Ravens), Chicago Bulls, Belvedere Trading, and the Rosdal Family.

Smith hopes to inspire young fathers and future nonprofit leaders when readers view his piece in People Magazine.

The Dovetail Project can be seen on pages 108 and 109 in the 'People of the Year' print issue and is online at www.people.com.

To learn more about The Dovetail Project, visit www.thedovetailproject.org.

Knack Convertible Duffel
Three Ways to Carry the Convertible Duffel from Knack

Today, Knack Inc., a brand specializing in modern, multi-functional accessories for urban professionals, announced the introduction of its new, innovative Convertible Duffel. This lightweight Convertible Duffel combines the carrying capacity of a spacious travel duffel with the style and function of an everyday laptop backpack. With three possible ways to carry and with Knack's patent-pending expansion technology, this new Duffel allows wearers to easily change the bag's carrying capacity and configuration from a 40L duffel, ideal for up to a week's worth of travel, to a 24L professional laptop backpack perfect for the everyday commute.    

"Our new Convertible Duffel is the next step in Knack's mission to design bags that allow people to live a One Bag Life", Knack Inc.'s Founder and CEO, Chad Mellen, explained. "This Duffel is the most flexible Duffel in the market and lets people carry based on what they are doing in any particular day, whether it's going to the office, the gym or on a trip." 

The Knack Convertible Duffel is now available in Midnight Black and has an MSRP of $275. 

The new Convertible Duffel, as well as the entire Knack collection of multi-function professional backpacks and accessories, is sold exclusively at www.knackbags.com.

About Knack Inc.:

Launched by a seasoned team from Tumi, Coach and eBags, Knack is a privately-held, direct-to-consumer company offering a collection of patent-pending, expandable backpacks and accessories that easily take urban professionals from work to travel and back again with just one bag. With a focus on simplicity, authenticity, and flexibility, Knack's One Bag Life mission provides the ability to do less carrying and more experiencing every day. For more about Knack, and to experience One Bag Life, visit www.knackbags.com.

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