About
The story and the ribbon
A month to remember that looking for work is part of life, and that each of us can help someone through it.
How it started
Peter Souza, a Los Angeles-based Software Quality Engineer & Creator of QA Academy, declared August as Unemployment Awareness Month and first launched it on August 1, 2025, with a post on LinkedIn and a green and white ribbon.
The idea is simple. No matter the economic climate, there are always people seeking work. With technology advancing at an accelerated pace, unemployment is a human challenge that will affect all of us in one way or another.
August was chosen on purpose: back-to-school season can be the first major hit to a household’s budget, which makes it a hard month to be between jobs.
At the close of the first month, Peter’s message was about strength in the community: shop local, buy local, volunteer locally, and check on friends.
Green and white
Peter chose a green and white ribbon as the symbol of the month. Here is one way to read the colors; wear it with whatever meaning fits your own story.
Green
Growth and renewal: the next chapter, new skills, and the chance that the next opportunity is close.
White
A clean slate and a fresh start, and the hope that comes with one.
Founder
Peter Souza is a Los Angeles-based Software Quality Engineer & Creator of QA Academy. Connect with him on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab) or visit petermsouzajr.com (opens in a new tab).