The Empowerment Plan

The Empowerment Plan is an organization that educates, employs, and empowers homeless individuals in the Detroit, MI, area. The social enterprise trains these individuals in sewing and manufacturing an innovative sleeping bag coat that is distributed to individuals in need, sponsored by donors. REDF funds supported The Empowerment Plan’s expansion.

Website

Milestones

2017: Project Grant Recipient*
2022-2023: SNAP TA Partner

*Past REDF program offering

Populations Served

Homeless/Unstably Housed

Industries

Location

Michigan

Gov. Partnerships & Policy, Press

Newly Selected Cohort of 24 Mission-Driven Businesses & Non-Profits Will be Equipped to Provide Employment & Training Services for Thousands of SNAP Recipients Nationwide

REDF launches the second cohort of SNAP E&T partners, who support workforce reentry and economic inclusion.

9.20.22

Community Stories

Resilience During Coronavirus: Updates from the Employment Social Enterprise Field

The economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is severely impacting small businesses and their employees across the country. And social enterprise...

4.7.20

Community Stories, Video

Employment Social Enterprises Respond to COVID-19 Head On

Hear stories from around the country of how our ESE network continues to help people thrive, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

6.25.20

Community Stories, Video

MADE: The Empowerment Plan

Learn more about Detroit social enterprise The Empowerment Plan.

11.30.15

Community Convenings

What Mosaic Art Can Teach Us About Community | Piece By Piece

Our own custom REDF mosaic came together through the power of community — with special thanks to the artists at Piece by Piece.

11.20.24

Community Stories

In Community: Aaryn Manning on Moving at the Speed of Trust

Dive into our series to discover how extraordinary leaders are redefining what talent looks like in our country.

11.19.24

Events, Gov. Partnerships & Policy, LA:RISE

Photo Gallery: Celebrating 10 Years of LA:RISE

Select photo highlights from October's event honoring a full decade of the Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise.

11.15.24

CEO Insights

Standing Tall in Our Common Agenda, Post-Election

A message to the employment social enterprises in our community after the November 2024 presidential election.

11.12.24

By Maria Kim

Community Stories

In Community: Ian Kilpatrick on Healing, Tenderness, and Belief in Others

Dive into our series to discover how extraordinary leaders are redefining what talent looks like in our country.

10.24.24

Community Convenings, Video

The 2024 REDF Community Retreat: A National Network of Entrepreneurs

Hear from a few ESE leaders about being part of our vibrant, entrepreneurial community.

10.18.24

Community Stories

In Community: April Fenall on a Future Where We Can All Thrive

Dive into our series to discover how extraordinary leaders are redefining what talent looks like in our country.

10.9.24

Community Stories

In Community: Leslee Beverly on Finding Your Footing

Dive into our series to discover how extraordinary leaders are redefining what talent looks like in our country.

10.3.24

Community Stories

In Community: Shanita McAfee-Bryant on Coming Up for Air

Dive into our series to discover how extraordinary leaders are redefining what talent looks like in our country.

9.20.24

Group photo of the 2024 cohort participants in the EMI Incubator program in LA

Gov. Partnerships & Policy

Building New Social Enterprises: The LA County EMI Incubator

Twenty-five Los Angeles nonprofits have joined the EMI Incubator's first cohort, which will prepare them to launch revenue-generating social enterprises.

9.10.24

By Lauren Taylor

Impact Investing

Transforming Lives Behind Bars: A Visit to The Last Mile at San Quentin

RIIF visits San Quentin Rehabilitation Center to explore the work of Oakland-based nonprofit The Last Mile.

9.3.24

By Riya Annamraju

CA RISE, Events, Gov. Partnerships & Policy

The CA RISE In-Person Kickoff: 2 Days, 61 Incredible Social Enterprises!

Photo highlights from the CA RISE kickoff event in Sacramento, California.

8.30.24

Group of Feedback Labs Feedback Champions, standing outside on a set of stairs

Learning & Evidence

5 Critical Elements of Effective Feedback Practices

Improving our feedback practices helps us foster inclusivity and make more informed decisions that benefit ESE leaders and the people they serve.

8.27.24

By Yon Jimenez-Macuso

CEO Insights, Events

REDF Joins JFF’s 75 Million Network

CEO Reflections from JFF Horizons 2024

8.22.24

By Maria Kim

Gov. Partnerships & Policy

SCC:RISE: 3 Lessons Learned From REDF’s Community-Based Incubator Pilot

In one California county, we’ve been testing a program to help local social entrepreneurs build ESEs from the ground up.

8.8.24

By Abigail Flis

News

REDF’s 2023 Impact Report: Now Live!

See how paid, on-the-job training and support is working to create far-reaching ripples.

7.29.24

By REDF Staff

2023 REDF Impact Investing Fund impact report PDF preview

Impact Investing, News

REDF Impact Investing Fund: Summer 2024 Newsletter

Read the latest from REDF Impact Investing Fund

6.26.24

Impact Investing

RIIF’s Largest Loan To Date: A Closer Look at Suay Sew Shop

RIIF's partnership with Suay has ensured that Suay has access to the capital they need to grow -- without resorting to extractive equity arrangements.

6.25.24

By Emilie Linick

Group photo of ESE leaders and REDF staff at the 2024 REDF Community Retreat

CEO Insights, Community Convenings

“I dream of you in colors that don’t exist.”

CEO Reflections from REDF's 2024 Community Retreat

6.20.24

By Maria Kim

CEO Insights

“I lived it. I’m qualified.”

CEO Notes on a Visit to the North Lawndale Employment Network

5.7.24

By Maria Kim

Impact Investing

Face it Before They Erase It | RIIF Visits Montgomery, Ala., with Impact Experience

Written by: Carrie McKellogg, CEO, REDF Impact Investing Fund On the day Alabama executed a man using nitrogen gas (and a mask out of Oppenheimer), I...

2.5.24

By Carrie McKellogg

CEO Insights

Refine. Design. Rest. Repeat. | REDF’s Formula for 2024

A year of reflection and strategic planning awaits. Read insights from our CEO Maria Kim, as she shares more about our plans for 2024.

1.26.24