In their third video collaboration, Beast Philanthropy, a nonprofit organization founded by YouTube creator MrBeast, and Stand Together explore how national nonprofit The Phoenix is empowering individuals with substance use disorder.
More than 48.7 million Americans are struggling with addiction, which killed 100,000 Americans in 2023 alone. Even when in recovery, addiction is a constant presence for those struggling with substance use disorder, the video explains, and it requires a community of support to overcome.
Beast Philanthropy Chief Creative Officer Dan Mace knows the effects of substance use disorder well. While he has been in recovery for 11years, Dan still works every day to sustain his sobriety. “It’s a daily struggle, and it’s forever.”
Founded by Scott Strode, The Phoenix is built on a simple principle: Every person has inner strength and something valuable to offer the world. The Phoenix helps individuals struggling with substance use disorder by discovering and developing their unique strengths and living a life of meaning and purpose.
What makes the Phoenix’s solution so impactful is people coming together with their peers who are also living through these obstacles and helping each other transform their lives. Strode explains that much of the support The Phoenix provides comes outdoors — through hikes, bike rides, and runs where volunteers build physical strength and the bonds they need to rebuild their confidence, self-worth, and sense of belonging.
“We have an ethos here at The Phoenix: we’re here to lift each other up,” Strode says.
The video features two Phoenix members, Jessica and Tiffany. Jessica had tried other addiction recovery programs, but found they caused her to dwell on her past life rather than looking toward the future. By hosting sober events and fostering an active community of like-minded individuals, The Phoenix showed Jessica she was not defined by substance use disorder.
“I’ll never forget my past,” Jessica said. “But I don’t always have to be known for that either.”
After becoming a member at The Phoenix, Tiffany is now one of the top CrossFit athletes in the world. The video reveals that Beast Philanthropy will sponsor Tiffany at a global competition of CrossFit masters.
The Phoenix has grown from 4,000 members when the Stand Together community got engaged to more than 680,000 members today, a nearly 45-fold increase. The partnership is rooted in a shared vision of using human empowerment and community ties to overcome the isolation, shame, and stigma that so often accompany substance use disorder.
Now, with Beast Philanthropy, Stand Together is deepening its investment in The Phoenix. To help more Americans struggling with substance use, Beast Philanthropy and Stand Together will provide $1 for every person who responds to the video with the comment “Together we rise.” Beast Philanthropy and Stand Together also will match every donation two-to-one up to $200,000.
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