LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2022 / According to The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 33,000 Homeless Veterans in The United States. Some organizations estimate the actual number of chronically homeless veterans as closer to 38,000. Either way, there will be a significant amount of homeless veterans suffering during this holiday season. And one company has a plan to help bring that suffering to an end.
The Human Gathering is a private network of influential Founders, Executives, Investors, Philanthropists, Attorneys and Educators that was created by cofounders Wes Chapman and Joshua Jordison. "We believe that people are only limited by the limitation of your network and your imagination", says Chapman. "Our goal is to further our member's ambitions, promote authentic relationships and ensure true legacy", he says.
This past September, The Human Gathering took over the One Hope Winery in Napa, CA, bringing together a small group of their members to discuss, among other things, how to get housing for The United State's homeless veterans population. Both Wes and Joshua have a demonstrated history of being able to achieve things that have never been done before, including playing a role in organizing the first public expedition to travel up to and inside The Global Seed Vault.
"Two of my close friends who served on our Host Committee for a Gathering we held at Neuehouse in Los Angeles called got me involved in that experience", says Jordison. "Being a part of that was insane", he laughs. "We literally traveled up to the northernmost town in the world with Martha Stewart, Sophia Bush, Minka Kelly, Executives from Starbucks, PepsiCo, Meta and many others to be some of the first members of the general public to actually step-foot inside The Global Seed Vault. It felt like being in a James Bond film", says Jordison.
Experiences like that have hardened Jordison to the idea that big problems can't be solved. "I think I have a healthy amount of disrespect for pessimists", he says. "While I'm not interested in pursuing any endeavor in a delusional manner, I do think that the vast majority of people tend to hold themselves back from their true capabilities", he continues.
Jordison and Chapman met via a Twitter exchange, nearly a decade ago. Chapman had exited his marketing agency a few years prior and had thrown himself into work that was designed to bring an end to things like human trafficking. "If we can make a real difference in those types of areas, then all of the work Joshua and I have put into this company will be more than worth it", says Chapman.
One of the first events that Jordison took Chapman to was a private gala benefit to honor the legendary record executive Clive Davis, which was held at the home of Ron Fair in Brentwood - a world famous, posh neighborhood in Los Angeles. "It was incredible", says Chapman. "That was really when both Joshua and I decided to take our friendship and business partnership seriously", he says. "I met so many interesting people at that event, including LL Cool J, Lil Jon, Colbie Caillat and, of course, Clive Davis himself", he says.
Chapman is no stranger to being around celebrities. His dad is one of the most recognizable people alive, though he is quick to remind people that he didn't really get to know his father until later in life. "I think one of my favorite moments I've spent with my dad so far was introducing him to Dax Shepard and sitting in the room while he was interviewed for Dax's podcast ‘Armchair Expert'", recounts Chapman.
Looking like a real-life John Dutton, Chapman regularly shares content from his ranch in Idaho. "My wife and my kids are my world", says Chapman. "This ranch is also a safe place for my friends and people who just need to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life", he continues. "Even the content I share on my Instagram doesn't really do the ranch justice", he says.
Perhaps it is those two, distinct ingredients that have allowed Chapman and Jordison to accomplish things like bringing together George Floyd and Rodney King's family for the first time in history: Chapman's no-nonsense, John Dutton-like approach to life and Jordison's deep, thoughtful relationships in the entertainment industry and beyond.
After that day in Napa, at The One Hope Winery, Chapman, Jordison and The Human Gathering have set their sites on figuring-out a way to house all of those 38,000 homeless veterans in The United States. "We are not a political organization", states Chapman. "Every member in our network gets along regardless of what political differences there may be between them", Chapman claims.
"People who serve our country should not be homeless. Full stop", states Chapman. "That's why we are mounting a full assault so-to-speak on the scourge that is homelessness", says Chapman.
While the specific details for The Human Gathering's plan to house every homeless veteran across The United States is still being kept mostly under wraps, Chapman is able to share that some of The Human Gathering's members who are involved includes leaders from companies like: Boston Consulting Group, Tiltify, Fidelity Investments, Danone and others. "These are people who actually have the ability to make a phone call and move the needle", says Jordison.
"This is what I can share", says Chapman. "There is a government program that provides housing for homeless veterans; but, the way it is set up could use some improvement - to say the least. We are working with an incredible organization that steps-in to close the gaps in the program that currently exist. And they have already successfully housed well over 700 homeless veterans. What we are doing is throwing gasoline on that already burning fire. We will help them reach scale", says Chapman.
As 2023 fast approaches, The Human Gathering is slated to take-on several of today and tomorrow's biggest challenges, all while bringing together their members to help support each other's ambitions. "We are after true legacy", says Chapman - "...not for us but for our members", he says.
Contact:
Wesley Chapman, Joshua Jordison: thehumangathering.com, https://humangathering.com/apply/
SOURCE: The Human Gathering