Katelyn Dalton on Spreading Hope October 5, 2020 By REDF Admin We first met Katelyn in 2015, when she was selected to receive REDF’s Moldaw Award which recognizes an employee of a REDF partner social enterprise who has “demonstrated extraordinary tenacity and courage in overcoming significant barriers to employment”. Katelyn came to Goodwill Silicon Valley (GWSV) as a young woman who had, in her words “hit … Continue reading Katelyn Dalton on Spreading Hope
JaShawn Hill on Seeing the Good in Your Community September 15, 2020 By REDF Admin We recently reconnected with JaShawn, a graduate of portfolio partner Cara, whose story we first featured to share the positive “ripple effect” of employment social enterprise. JaShawn’s belief in the potential of people and the power of community is boundless! She feels blessed to do this work and after speaking with her, you can’t help … Continue reading JaShawn Hill on Seeing the Good in Your Community
Pablo Gaxiola on Using Your Past As an Asset August 24, 2020 By REDF Admin There’s been no stopping Pablo since we first shared his story two years ago, which powerfully demonstrates the “ripple effect” that happens when people whose lives are transformed as a result of social enterprise dedicate themselves to helping others. Pablo continues to be an inspiring example to his family, a respected leader in his community, and … Continue reading Pablo Gaxiola on Using Your Past As an Asset
The Ripple Effect – JaShawn Hill October 16, 2018 By Visceral_Dev_Admin JaShawn is a woman on a mission, paying her experience forward in a big way. After struggling with substance use and unstable housing for years, Cara, a REDF-supported social enterprise, provided her with the support and coaching she needed to fulfill her potential. Today, with a master’s degree in social work, she is a Youth … Continue reading The Ripple Effect – JaShawn Hill
The Ripple Effect – Pablo Gaxiola October 16, 2018 By Visceral_Dev_Admin After spending 15 years in and out of prison, Pablo began working at REDF partner Goodwill Silicon Valley determined to turn his life around. Four promotions later, Pablo is the Re-Entry Programs Manager, providing mentorship and hope to men and women who’ve served their time and are ready to start a new chapter. Pablo’s story … Continue reading The Ripple Effect – Pablo Gaxiola
The Power of Purpose – Celena, Women’s Bean Project September 24, 2018 By Visceral_Dev_Admin Before she turned 15, Celena had overdosed six times. By 18 Celena had been incarcerated due to drug issues. Experiencing homelessness, and convicted of creating, distributing, and consuming meth, the legal system “wanted to make an example of me,” she says. And not a good one. “I was young and had gotten into some big … Continue reading The Power of Purpose – Celena, Women’s Bean Project
The Ripple of Recovery – Jolena, Central City Concern September 10, 2018 By Visceral_Dev_Admin “We do recover.” That’s the simple, profound message Jolena shares with the women she works with as Peer Support Specialist at the Bridges to Change – Grounded Transitions Program in Portland. As a peer support mentor, Jolena provides assistance to 10 women living drug-free while they get their lives back on track. From helping them … Continue reading The Ripple of Recovery – Jolena, Central City Concern
Responsibility, Leadership, and a Passion For Change September 4, 2018 By Visceral_Dev_Admin At age 16 Yehiah, the youngest of five, was living in Waltham, Massachusetts. With all of his siblings in college that seemed like Yehiah’s path, too. Then the economy took a downturn, his family fell on hard times, and he says, “My grades dropped and I started hanging out with the wrong people.” It would … Continue reading Responsibility, Leadership, and a Passion For Change
The Ripple Effect of Social Enterprise – Pablo Gaxiola, Re-Entry Programs Manager, Goodwill Silicon Valley August 27, 2018 By Visceral_Dev_Admin REDF is an investment that works. Yes, we could show you the charts, graphs, and spreadsheets that underscore the return on investment that social enterprises provide. But when it comes to making an impact on people, it’s the stories that show the power of social enterprise to change not just one life, but many. We … Continue reading The Ripple Effect of Social Enterprise – Pablo Gaxiola, Re-Entry Programs Manager, Goodwill Silicon Valley
Save the Environment, Transform a Life – Brandon Benton, Community Recycling Programs Coordinator August 20, 2018 By Visceral_Dev_Admin If you drive through Marin and Sonoma Counties you’ve seen them along the side of the road, in their green hats, and blaze orange safety vests brandishing weed trimmers, shovels, and post hole diggers. They are the young adults of Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB). Their mission is to protect the environment and transform their … Continue reading Save the Environment, Transform a Life – Brandon Benton, Community Recycling Programs Coordinator