REDF

“So often when people think about Project Place they'll say like, ‘oh, okay, so you help people get jobs, right?’ But when you think about what a job is, it's so much more than that. For our participants, employment is a sense of community. It's a space for them to grow confidence. It's a means for them to work towards economic mobility, to be reunified with their families and to provide for them. When you work with someone for 6 to 9 months, and you watch them struggle with going to interviews and hearing ‘no’ and watching doors be closed, and then they walk in with a smile on their face and they run down the hallway to say, ‘I got a job offer.’ At Project Place we'll put out a little notice like, ‘Hey, we're going to ring the bell,’ and everyone comes out of their offices, and you'll watch a participant who's been a part of the community for three months, six months, two years ring the bell in celebration of this huge milestone, which is really just a starting point on their journey towards transformative changes. Beautiful.” Aaryn Manning, Executive Director, Project Place More on our “In Community” Series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa

5 Reasons You Should Shop the REDF Social Enterprise Gift Guide ?? ? Support Second Chances: Every purchase helps people who have overcome barriers to employment like homelessness and incarceration find stable, meaningful work. ?Handcrafted by Talented Artisans: From coffee to jewelry to baked goods, every item is thoughtfully crafted by individuals who are rebuilding their lives. ?Give Back with Every Gift: When you shop, you're not just giving a present — you're investing towards a better future…for everyone. ?One-of-a-kind Gifts: Whether it’s a delicious cup of coffee from 1951 Coffee Company, a sweet treat from Greyston Bakery, or a handcrafted bag from Missoula Works, there’s something for everyone on your list! ?Tangible Impact: The businesses featured in our guide are among the 302 enterprises we've invested in, who've created 133,000 jobs and pathways to prosperity and economic mobility. ??? Shop the Gift Guide Now: https://lnkd.in/gkQ9Sdzc #REDFGiftGuide #ShopForGood #SocialEnterprise #SustainableGifts

“I think so often people dehumanize folks who are experiencing homelessness, and they think it's a population of individuals who are unmotivated. They think it's folks who have never been employed, that they don't want to change their situation. And every single day I'm reminded at Project Place that we are so lucky to work with highly motivated individuals who are showing up for themselves every single day, and they may not have the resources or know what they need to take the next steps, but the courage that they show to walk through the door with everything that they're facing every single day and to show up for themselves and partner with our team is something that I feel so privileged to be able to experience, and so few people understand that. When you sit down with someone and you listen to their story and you hear about the parallels and the similarities we all face… oftentimes it was a matter of substance use disorder or a matter of mental health, or an accident, or a medical incident that created an unlikely and unfortunate set of circumstances that created their homelessness and the situation in which they are unhoused. Any of us could be experiencing that.” Aaryn Manning, Executive Director, Project Place More on our “In Community” Series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa

???The State of California is leading the way in transforming lives through the power of employment social enterprises (ESEs)! With nearly $300 million?invested in 85 enterprises, the State isn’t just creating jobs—they’re supporting a business model that strengthens families and communities. ?? ? Alongside ESE partners Farming Hope, Chrysalis, and Center for Employment Opportunities, we were honored to host Governor Newsom to showcase how these innovative businesses are creating a positive impact across the State.? ? Thank you, Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, for your visionary support! ??

We’re thrilled to announce that Maria Kim, REDF President and CEO, will be joining an extraordinary lineup of social impact leaders at this year’s NationSwell Summit! ?? Under the theme Hope in Action, this year’s Summit brings together some of the brightest and boldest minds in social impact to spark powerful conversations and explore innovative solutions to our world’s most pressing challenges. Every panel, every session, every fireside chat is designed to challenge, inspire, and ignite change. ?? At the Summit, Maria Kim calls on us to rethink talent and opportunity, to reimagine “lived experience” as “lived expertise,” and how by doing so, we take a crucial step toward building an economy that works for everyone. Let’s come together to create a future where opportunity isn’t a privilege, but a right for everyone.?? #NationSwellSummit2024 #HopeInAction?

There’s something special about the concept of the Venn diagram — a set of overlapping circles that shows what may sit apart and what is uniquely made stronger, together. It validates the notion that we don’t have to agree on everything in order to agree on some things. And that when we see each other for the agenda we hold in common, as opposed to the divisiveness that keeps us apart, we will go so much further, faster. Standing tall in our common agenda is a deeply felt desire for our families to be whole, to be healthy, and to thrive. To get there, we all need to play our part to build a more inclusive economy — something REDF has leaned into for the past three decades. We’ve done it through the power of employment social enterprise, a market-based solution that’s achieving a social good: creating economic mobility for folks most boxed out of our economy so that they may find their way back in. We remain fully committed to the fearless and tenacious social entrepreneurs we back, who remind us every day that talent is not measured solely by words on a resume, but by the string of experiences that make people creative, resilient, and whole. And we’re committed to doing our part to convince those who influence our economy’s largest levers that lived experience is actually lived expertise — an expertise that, when leveraged, has outsized impact on our workplaces, our communities, and our entire society. When we do that, if we do that, we can inspire a flywheel effect of change — one business, one community, one state at a time — that ultimately helps build an economy that works. For everyone. - Maria Kim, REDF CEO & President

"In the gym, power dynamics are flipped, and social bridges are built." We're thrilled to see REDF Growth Portfolio Member, InnerCity Weightlifting (ICW) featured on WCVB Channel 5, way to go! ?????? ICW trainer Branden Bannister and founder Jonathan Feinman remind us the power of believing in people and fostering connections that create real change in our communities and beyond. ?

?? Big things are happening at the NationSwell Summit 2024! We're thrilled to share that REDF CEO Maria Kim is joining an amazing lineup of speakers at this year's Summit. Woohoo! ?? Check out the full lineup with inspiring social impact, sustainability, and philanthropy leaders here: https://lnkd.in/dxi4phgc ?

At REDF, we believe an inclusive economy benefits everyone. That’s why we support Measure A—an initiative designed to enhance the well-being of all Angelenos and take significant steps toward addressing homelessness in Los Angeles. ??? As the election approaches, here’s why Measure A is vital: ? Boosting Essential Services: Measure A proposes a ? cent sales tax to replace the current ? cent tax, ensuring crucial services receive the funding they require. ?Holistic Solutions for Homelessness: This measure will direct resources toward affordable housing, rent assistance, and essential job services, tackling the pressing issues facing Los Angeles ?A Brighter Future for All: By voting "Yes" on Measure A, you support LA’s progress and create opportunities for everyone to thrive. #MeasureA #BOLDNEWWAY

REDF is dedicated to building an economy that works for everyone. That’s why we’re thrilled to support Measure A—an initiative in Los Angeles that champions the well-being of every Angeleno and takes bold action against homelessness. ??? With the election on the horizon, here’s why Measure A is essential: New Revenue for Essential Services: Measure A introduces a ? cent sales tax to replace the current ? cent tax, ensuring vital services have the funding they need. Comprehensive Homelessness Solutions: This measure will allocate resources for affordable housing, rent relief, and critical employment services, addressing the urgent needs of the city. A Vision for a Better Tomorrow: By voting "Yes" on Measure A, citizens are paving the way for a future where everyone in Los Angeles has the opportunity to thrive. #MeasureA #BOLDNEWWAY