The Call of Duty Foundation changes life
When most people think about Call of Duty, they tend to portray the intensive gameplay of the shooter, huge multiplayer lobbies and the action at the Hollywood level level. Nevertheless, behind the scenes, at work something is deeper, and it has a huge impact. This is a mission with real consequences, and it really changes life. Since 2009 Call of Duty Endowment Quietly transformed the life of thousands of military veterans, helping them find high -quality work after their service ends. In Call of Duty further in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to sit with Dan Goldenberg, President Call of Duty Endowment to talk about how far the program moves, and everything between them moves.
Born from respect
So, how did the donation of Call of Duty began? The story began in the late 2000s, when Activision management began to ask yourself a simple but powerful question: how can we return to those who inspired the game?
At that time, veterans returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. They faced a stunning level of unemployment, which almost doubled the average value in the country. Government programs were insufficient (I am polite here), and many non -profit organizations tried to have a significant effect. “It was clear that the veterans did not receive the support they deserved,” said Dan Goldenberg. “So, we asked ourselves:“ What do we know? How can we really help? “And employment was something close to commerce.
What veterans really need
It is clear that Donation He did not dive blindly. They spent three years, exploring what actually worked in the employment of veterans, and in 2013 they began to print differences. The program developed to identify and finance the most effective non -profit organizations that help veterans go into civil labor.
Their secret? It turns out that the two most effective services that need veterans are surprisingly simple: preparing a resume and the practice of an interview. So simple, but a huge problem.
“This may seem the main one, but when you leave the military (especially if you are enrolled directly from high school), you do not always know how to explain your experience in a civil context,” Dan explained. “You could say:“ I was a sergeant responsible for a platoon in Afghanistan, ”but this is not immediately transferred to a hiring manager. The help of veterans to understand the value of their leadership, logistics, security and learning experience is crucial. ”
It turns out that the study of the state of Pennsylvania later confirmed this particular. Veterans who receive professional help with a resume and preparation for an interview are three times more likely to get high -quality work. And this is amazing!
It is not only about work, but about the goal
One of the most convincing aspects of Call of Duty donations is his attention on the effect, and not on the image or patting of himself on the back. You do not see any excessive falls of donations or any other unpleasant campaigns on social networks. They finance on the basis of results, not on branding. And the results are impressive:
- Until now, more than 150,000 veterans have been placed in a significant career.
- The average initial salary? 75,000 dollars.
- The cost for placement is 15 times lower than similar state programs.
- Veterans delivered through grant recipients receiving donations experience the best maintenance of work by 40%.
- Target? Place 200,000 veterans on high -quality jobs by the end of the decade, which is more than the entire US Marine Corps.
But there are real people behind the data. As a sergeant of the army infantry, who, after he was retired, fought with doubts about his place in the world. “He thought of himself as a kicker of doors,” Dan shared. “But thanks to counseling, we helped him understand that he has a passion for this. After some preparation and first work in the support service, he was increased twice in two years and became the senior IT manager. Such a transformation that we are talking about. ”
The fight against errors against PTSD and mental health
One of the aspects that surprised me was one of the biggest problems that veterans face today. This is not PTSR or Hardiness. This is a public perception.
“There is a real gap between reality and how veterans are portrayed,” Dan said. “Yes, Ptsr exists. Yes, there are veterans who need serious assistance. But the vast majority are very capable of stable people who are ready to contribute. The problem is not always injury. This goes by helping them navigate in the new world with skills that they already have. ”
One interesting fact indicated that Dan showed that out of 3 million Americans who served in combat zones over the past two decades, only 2000 tragically lost limbs. Nevertheless, the narrative is too often concentrated around extreme difficulties.
“This is not an average veteran,” Dan insists. “Most just need a shot and someone to believe in their potential.”
Small budget, huge impact
Despite the fact that veterans are asking for assistance with employment, less than 0.1% of the budget of veterans of 330 billion US dollars is going to work. The main state employment program is not only 15 times more expensive than the approach of donations, but its results are not so good.
On the contrary, the donation evaluates that every veteran, which they help to receive a significant work of the private sector, saves taxpayers $ 25,000 a year. How is it achieved? Reducing dependence on unemployment benefits, healthcare and other services.
“This is not just for veterinarians,” Dan said. “This is good for the country.”
The power of intra -game activations
Endol Call of Duty does not just live behind the scenes. As cod fans know, it is present in the game, although not as much as it could be. Special falls in the game, such as the packages of operators and skins, directly finance the mission of the fund. Not to mention the fact that this increases awareness.
In a typical year, these activations increase about $ 5 million, and all this goes directly to the employment programs of veterans. “We do not get a cut,” emphasizes activis. “Each center goes to donation.”
But the cost goes beyond dollars. “The awareness that these campaigns bring is incredible. Millions of players are subjected to the stories of real veterans – people like Daniel Green. ”
Daniel Green: From a star athlete to an American hero
Daniel Green, a former basketball star in college, voluntarily volunteered in the army after September 11 and tragically lost her hand in battle. Now she is the face of a new game package designed to tell her story and change the narrative around the wounded veterans.
“In a world where it is often focused on injury, we want to light up the expansion of rights and opportunities,” Dan explained. “We are not interested in stories about veterans. We want to show what veterans are capable of and why they make incredible employees, leaders and citizens. ”
Copp and global coverage
Events such as “Call of Duty Code Bowl” (which attracts more than a million spectators around the world) serve as the main engine of awareness of the mission. With sponsorship from large organizations, such as USAA, Corsair and Pilot Flying J, the codes enhances the Message of the Fund for the Global Military Military Community.
“These companies are not just talking, they hire veterans, and they support this with financing, which is directed directly to employment. We are incredibly grateful. ”
While the team could not talk too much about the future cooperation (especially with the Black Ops 7 around the corner), they hinted at exciting events. “We always work on significant content that honors veterans and tells our stories genuine, inspiring ways.”
Endol Call of Duty is not just a charity initiative; This movement is to reconsider how we see veterans, how we support them, and how we integrate them back into society. With the placement of more than 150,000 veterans and the track record of unsurpassed efficiency and impact, it is clear that this mission is something other side project.
