Complete the sentence: “To me, a good job looks like…” The 8 participants in my Zoom-enabled focus group paused for a few seconds. I was prepared to wait for a while – trained in the art of drawing out a pregnant pause as long as possible – but didn’t have to linger for long before …
After putting the finishing touches on my summer project for Conservation Corps North Bay and saying my goodbyes, I loaded up the car and beelined for Yosemite. I spent the next several nights camping under the stars amidst California’s redwood giants. In the silence of the forest, I reflected on all that I’d experienced over …
Are You Invested in an Inclusive Economy? Building an inclusive economy strengthens our workplaces and our communities — it benefits us all. And employment social enterprises are integral to realizing that vision. Our country faces economic and social challenges the magnitude of which we have not seen for generations. Now is the time to invest …
“Am I gonna do this or not? Because I have all the tools to do it.” This quote is from Anthony “AP” Armour, Executive Director of Neighborhood Industries and REDF Accelerator Alum. He says he thought about this at the beginning of his journey as a social entrepreneur. This quote stuck with me when we …
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 …
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 …
Firebrand Artisan Breads Shares Their Recipe for Success Since 2008, beloved Bay Area bakery Firebrand Artisan Breads has been creating delicious baked goods while building an enviable company culture. With a loan from RIIF, our largest closed to-date, Firebrand will expand its operations into a new production facility and strengthen its social mission. We sat …