REDF

REDF helps tenacious entrepreneurs build double-bottom-line businesses called employment social enterprises. Here’s why you should know about them: https://lnkd.in/grAHbtyC

Huge congratulations to all Impact Prize winners! We are so thrilled to see REDF Growth Portfolio Members Rebuilding Exchange and Rise Up Industries on the list!! 🎉🎉🎉

We are so EXCITED to be among the founding members of the the 75 Million Network formed by Jobs for the Future (JFF)!  Announced during the Horizons kickoff, JFF is bringing together partners across sectors to join forces so that by 2033, 75 million people facing barriers to employment will have access to  quality jobs. REDF is proud to back employment social enterprises – businesses that create jobs, stability, and economic mobility for people overcoming the toughest barriers to work. What an honor to be among all these partners! Opportunity@Work ETS Jobcase, Inc. Mohawk Valley Community College Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation REDF

Woohoo! 🎉 Recent REDF Accelerator Alum, CoBuild, is in the running for a $50,000 prize, and YOU can help! Here’s how ⬇ Kansas City is holding a competition for social impact businesses and will announce the winner on July 25th. All you need to do is vote for CoBuild on this poll: bit.ly/3W7JmAF CoBuild focuses on providing living wage jobs in the construction industry - delivering beautiful spaces while creating a big impact.  Learn more about CoBuild and their founder Tate Williams, here: bit.ly/4bNwmWD

And it’s a wrap! Last week, our very own Samantha Poster joined Center for Employment Opportunities and other incredible panelists for a Senate Ag Committee regarding SNAP and SNAP E&T policy, for the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization and The Training and Nutrition Stability Act. It was also a reminder of the power we hold collectively, stay tuned as we continue to join forces so that no one has to choose between food security and successful job training. Samantha Poster, thanks for leading the way for REDF!

“And it's pretty amazing just making that transition from being someone who society looked down upon, you know, and now having an honorable career.” That was from Royal Ramey CEO of The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP), a REDF Impact Investing Fund and Growth Portfolio member. FFRP provides career and other wraparound services to justice-impacted firefighters. Royal was just featured on NPR's Consider This podcast where he discussed California wildfires and the increasing need for firefighters. Tune in to learn more about Royal’s story, work, and FFRP! You are an absolute force, Royal!

At REDF we believe in supporting businesses that create jobs for overlooked talent in our communities, because we know a job is an essential part of our individual and collective well-being. Just think about the role employment plays in your life, it gives individuals the opportunity to develop skills, confidence, a job history, a way forward, and so much more. Follow along, as we work to create an economy that works. For EVERYONE. An economy where we fully incorporate the enormous human potential, creativity, and talent of ALL people, families, and communities. Learn more: www.redf.org

Meet Beth Ann. She brings a sense of hope to those at the Downtown Women's Center (DWC), an organization that serves women and gender diverse individuals experiencing homelessness by providing safe housing and supportive services centered on wellness, employment, and advocacy. At DWC, Beth Ann finds an easy joy in changing someone’s day by extending kindness during a challenging time in their lives. Beth Ann has faced many difficult experiences in her life such as prior gang involvement, incarceration, substance abuse, and domestic violence that led to the loss of her leg and home. “This led to feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth. I thought I had nothing worth living for, and turned to drugs to hide my shame, guilt, and fears,” she shared. It was through a mutual friend that Beth Ann learned about the LA: RISE initiative at the Downtown Women’s Center, a chance to gain paid, on-the-job training in a supportive environment. Because of her life experiences and expertise, this was extremely important to Beth Ann, she wanted to give back by working with the community of individuals at the Downtown Women's Center. “I was most excited about meeting people where they are, finding common ground, and working together in finding out how to meet their needs.” In addition to receiving training and guidance in financial literacy, computer skills, and executive function skills, Beth Ann noted that her interactions with others at DWC gave her a level of confidence she hadn’t previously experienced. Beth Ann is now enrolled in college with big plans for her future. “I plan on majoring in Psychology. I am going to focus on staying in the human services field because of the strong love and compassion I have for others.” We're honored to partner with organizations like the Downtown Women’s Center that work to ensure that people have the resources and community they need to flourish. Go, Beth Ann! Learn more about the LA:RISE program here: https://redf.org/larise/ #larise

How’s REDF connected to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance/ Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T)? In more ways than you may think! Together with our partners at Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI), Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), and FareStart, REDF created an innovative program to support employment social enterprises in becoming SNAP E&T program partners. Tomorrow our very own Samantha Poster will be joining Center for Employment Opportunities and an ESE leader from Crossroads Campus for a Senate Ag Committee briefing on SNAP E&T policy. Join the livestream to see how and why employment social enterprises are so critical in the workforce arena! RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3VOeGEc

This year’s Community retreat consisted of three days, 150 leaders, and one community celebrating each other and the gifts they hold. Three days full of heart, inspiration, and action. We’ll have more to share from the retreat in the coming weeks, but right now, we want to take a moment to thank all those that shared the stage with us! To our CEO ✨: Maria Kim, thank you for reminding us to dream in colors that don’t (yet) exist. More on that here: bit.ly/3RRyh5r   To our guest speakers ✨: Father Greg Boyle. S. J., thank you for reminding us to heal ourselves in order to allow for collective healing. Jose Arellano, thank you for reminding us that to love means to love fully – the good, the bad, and the in between. Anthony Jolly and Shameka Dixon, thank you for closing us out the first day with such warmth and joy. William Rogers, thank you for your candor, vulnerability, and openness.     To our session leaders ✨: Thank you for sharing your insights with all of us!   Grace Figliomeni, Freedom a la Cart Afton Branche-Wilson, Chrysalis Maria Alexander, Center for Living and Learning Kathleen Caliento, Ph.D., Cara Chicago Emily Ramirez, Global Neighborhood   To the ESEs that opened their doors to us all – thank you, thank you! What a gift to share time and space with you. Homeboy Industries Los Angeles LGBT Center People's Pottery Project GRID Alternatives GrowGood, Inc ORA Café Piece by Piece Downtown Women's Center   To all the tenacious ESE leaders in attendance, thank you for coming with such open hearts and minds – you’re the pulse of all we do! To the thoughtful, kind, and incredible REDF Community team, Brian Burrell, Jalpa Patel, Sean Tennerson, Sharmeen U., thank you for making moments and connections like these possible! You're the heart of it all.   And to the rest of the mighty and talented REDF staff – thank you for another memorable time in community. Looking forward to all that's to come!