{"id":874877,"date":"2025-11-07T13:09:59","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T18:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/?p=874877"},"modified":"2025-11-10T12:29:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T17:29:23","slug":"spaces-that-serve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/research\/articles\/topics\/collaboration\/spaces-that-serve\/","title":{"rendered":"Spaces That Serve"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even in the world’s most remote corners, the human spirit seeks connection. Community is what grounds us, uplifts us and reminds us we\u2019re never truly alone. That idea lies at the heart of a powerful collaboration between the United Service Organizations (USO), the United States Navy, Steelcase and its dealer partners, Creative and Hyphn \u2013 a shared mission to bring comfort and dignity to those who serve.<\/p>\n

Aboard U.S. aircraft carriers, more than 5,000 people live and work together in tight quarters for months on end. Privacy is scarce and stress is constant. In such an intense environment, the need for mental relief isn\u2019t just important \u2014 it\u2019s essential for wellbeing.<\/p>\n

In response to a recent, troubling rise in mental health incidents across the fleet, the USO, a private, non-profit group that supports military service members, launched ship-based USO centers. This initiative creates dedicated spaces aboard ships designed to be human-centric and serve as places where service members can unwind, recharge and find community. It allows them to connect with each other in a relaxed environment or reconnect with their faraway families and friends privately.<\/p>\n

The USO reached out to Steelcase through Steelcase Salutes, an employee-led Business Inclusion Group dedicated to honoring and supporting military service members. Open to all employees, Steelcase Salutes engages the organization in meaningful, mission-driven projects. Steelcase employees responded with urgency, purpose and pride when the call came. They coordinated the donation of privacy pods and critical assembly and logistics support to outfit the first ship. Over the past two years, Steelcase has equipped USO centers aboard six aircraft carriers with On the QT by Orangebox pods \u2013 acoustically private, self-contained seating areas that offer a rare moment of tranquility and privacy amid the constant motion of shipboard life.<\/p>\n\"\"

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\u201cIn this arduous, demanding, dynamic life of a heavy industrial ship environment, it\u2019s absolutely critical to recharge our sailors,\u201d said Captain David Pollard, Commanding Officer of USS George H.W. Bush, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on his own ship.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pit stop, this safe haven, this relaxing space is exactly what our young warriors need to recharge on a daily basis.\u201d<\/p>Capt. David PollardCommanding Officer, USS George H.W. Bush<\/span><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n

These pods now serve as quiet sanctuaries aboard:<\/strong><\/p>\n