​We live in a time of overwhelming challenges.

Amidst widespread economic, socio-political and environmental crises, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory in 2023 concerning "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation." Human beings are built for social connection, but we have become increasingly isolated over time; 50% of Americans report feeling lonely. Studies show that loneliness results in significant increases in functional decline and greater risk of premature death. Our health and wellbeing is suffering as a result of diminished social connection and our communities are painfully divided, rife with rampant othering. The social fabric is frayed. Rather than embracing our rich diversity, we are becoming more isolated and adversarial. Rather than respecting our commonalities and shared values to engage together in the hard work of reforming our institutions and American society, we increasingly blame, vilify and harden toward those we perceive to be on the other side. And we isolate, which has a profound impact on our mental, emotional and physical health. 

​First responders and public safety agencies are overextended and underprepared and police-community relations are broken. Educators are overwhelmed and under-resourced. People of Color and other marginalized individuals feel unsafe. Burnout and attrition is rampant in the law enforcement and healthcare sectors. Calls for transformational change of systems, policies and practices have reached a tipping point. The American public and its public safety institutions are in crisis. Simultaneously, close to 2 million Americans are incarcerated, over 60% of whom are Black, Indigenous or People of Color. While 95% of incarcerated individuals will be eligible for release at some point, 44% will return to prison within one year, demonstrating the insufficient support for their transition to healthy functioning lives in their communities. 

There is an urgent need for transformational change in the institutions we depend on for education, wellbeing and public safety. This historic moment demands a critical assessment of systems and structures that dehumanize and devalue individuals, demoralize agency staff and that perpetuate oppression, marginalization and racism. Together we must lead the creation of new programs and practices that generate respectful dialogue and creative solutions to our collective challenges. Changes in systems and structures can only be achieved and sustained if we work to transform and resource individuals and the cultures in which they interact. This moment demands innovation, action and leadership in the way we train and structure the work we do on the front lines of social justice, as well as public safety.

The work of Beyond Us & Them creates structures of belonging and provides a platform for easing suffering, cultivating wellbeing, increasing engagement and flourishing together as a community at a time when this is desperately needed.

We welcome your support!