REDF

?? Join us as we celebrate 10 years of transformative impact through LA:RISE! ?? Date: Thursday, October 24 ?? Time: 8:30am - 11:30am ?? Location: The California Endowment - 1000 N. Alameda Street Los Angeles,?CA?90012 ?? RSVP by TOMORROW to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/gGA44P-A What began as a trailblazing public-private partnership between the City of Los Angeles and REDF has flourished thanks to the invaluable support of the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity. Join us on Thursday, October 24 to: ?? Engage with Visionary Leaders: Meet the influential figures from both the public and private sectors who have been key in establishing and expanding LA:RISE. ?? Connect with Dedicated Supporters: Network with passionate advocates who have championed our mission since 2018 and helped drive meaningful change. ?? Hear Inspiring Stories: Hear powerful firsthand accounts from individuals whose lives have been positively transformed through LA:RISE's employment pathways. Let’s come together to celebrate this remarkable journey and envision the positive impact we can continue to create! #LARISE #DecadeOfImpact #Collaboration #CommunityEmpowerment #TransformativeChange

September 15 to October 15 is #HispanicHeritageMonth! This month, we celebrate the vibrant cultures, rich traditions, and powerful stories of Hispanic and Latine communities. This year’s theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” honors those who have paved the way for future generations, embodying innovation, resilience, and unity. ? We’re excited to spotlight a few REDF partners who are making a difference in the Latine community: Salazar Landscaping (SLA): As a social enterprise, SLA creates social and environmental change in the landscaping field, offering top-tier training and employment pathways for youth and justice-impacted individuals. Thank you, Jessie Salazar, for your leadership! San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps (SGVCC): This non-profit provides youth with personal and professional growth opportunities through environmental projects. Thank you, Norma Martinez-Qui?ones, for your invaluable partnership! Rebuilding Exchange: Based in Chicago, this organization promotes sustainable building practices and provides education and job training using reclaimed materials. Aina Gutierrez, it's a joy to partner with you, thank you! Visión y Compromiso: Committed to community wellbeing, this organization supports promotores and community health workers with training and advocacy. Thank you, Maria Lemus, for your dedication! The Knowledge House (TKH): TKH bridges the education-to-employment gap by providing digital skills training to underserved youth. Jerelyn Rodriguez, we appreciate your creative leadership, thank you for your partnership! As #HispanicHeritageMonth comes to a close, let’s remember to celebrate and highlight Latine voices year-round. Their diverse stories and contributions enrich our communities and deserve ongoing recognition long after the month ends. ?

“What I'm hoping to redefine in this work as a logistics and delivery partner in the supply chain sector is to make it a safe space and offer an alternative to extractive business models. Also, shifting focus back to the people and communities vs tech and profits. I believe that more people with varied lived experience will shape the future that creates safe spaces for us all to work with purpose. From delivery to supply chain, [those roles] are very male dominated, I don't feel like it's queer friendly. And so, when I reimagine the space, it's an ecosystem where people that look like me are in the top tier of the roles of managers, of directors, of dispatchers, and are learning in demand technical skills.” April Fenall, Founder and Executive Director, Piikup More on our “In Community” Series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa

“We've been in business for about seven beautiful, grueling, journey-filled years. My hopes for the future are that I can lift up anybody who wants to be lifted up, and that you know, they can come along with me on this ride, and they can meet their needs, and empower their family. Our tagline is: Piikup empowers the workforce and their entire family at every stage. And that's what it looks like, that we can continue not just touching that person that is hired or the person in the program, but their entire family through our network of resources and people that we know.” (1/2) April Fenall, Founder and Executive Director, Piikup More on our “In Community” Series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa

“Life is way too short, which I've realized over the years. Just get out and do it. Find what you love to do and do it and take the necessary steps in order to find your happiness. Find your peace. Find a place where you fit in. It doesn't happen overnight, but I guarantee you, with the effort and some time, you'll find your place.” Leslee Beverly, Customer Experience Manager/Youth Counselor, Ready for Good Co. More on our “In Community” Series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa

“My journey has been challenging, yet rewarding. I started at Ready for Good three years ago after making a series of young, silly, bad decisions. I found myself in some legal trouble. I was fortunate enough to complete my community service at Ready for Good, where I fell in love with their mission. Two and a half years later, after learning more about myself and learning to live a more stable and sober lifestyle, I feel like [working here] is not only a job, but a purpose. I'm beyond grateful to be a part of something this meaningful. Not long ago I would have considered myself an at-risk youth. I'm 24 and have a completely different outlook on life. I've been on the other side of things. I've done the crime. I've done the time. And now at this point, I want to prevent kids from going into that lifestyle. I want to show them there's a better way. You don't have to experiment and you don't have to try to fit in. You'll find your place in a matter of time. You’re a product of your environment, and you have to make sure you have a great environment around you. I strongly believe that you'll find your feet.” - Leslee Beverly, Customer Experience Manager and Youth Counselor, Ready for Good More on our “In Community” Series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa

The Appalachia Funders Network (AFN) created the Appalachian Helene Response Fund which will channel resources directly to the areas of greatest need, leveraging the reach and local knowledge of AFN’s 70+ member organizations across the region, ?members that are deeply rooted in their communities, will ensure that aid is distributed swiftly and equitably, prioritizing the hardest-hit areas. ? Please share the link widely: https://lnkd.in/gs6JzB-q The reach of this fund is critical, and spreading the word will help maximize the impact of donations. AFN members on the ground are already mobilizing to address the most urgent needs, and the support garnered through this fund will be pivotal in the recovery efforts.

Wondering if the Accelerator is the right fit for you and your #socialenterprise? This six-month, cohort-based program is designed exclusively for leaders of businesses that employ, upskill, and support people overcoming barriers to employment. You’ll access curriculum, coaching, and connections to fuel your professional development and your business’ success. We’ll be hosting Application Office Hours on October 7th from 9:30 am to 10:30 am PST, where the Accelerator team will answer any questions you have on the program or application. Register for office hours: https://bit.ly/4eozw5m Apply here: https://bit.ly/4gJk0CB #accelerator #socialentrepreneur #socialentrepreneurship #socialenterprise #socent?

Meet Imani. Dedicated to continuous personal and professional growth, Imani’s journey is a reminder that resilience with the right support and services can create new possibilities and opportunities for people. With rising rent costs, Imani, like many others, faced the daunting reality of potentially becoming homeless. While navigating that Imani also struggled to access essential financial support for college, including textbooks and materials needed for her academic success. It was in the midst of searching for work and educational resources, that a family member introduced her to the LA:RISE program through our incredible partner, CRCD ENTERPRISES. “What drew me to LA:RISE was their commitment to improving our city and community by helping others. I was most excited about the learning process and the experience,” Imani shares. During her time with the program, Imani not only gained valuable tech skills but was also able to enhance her social and communication skills in a supportive environment. Now, she’s a data entry specialist at CRCD ENTERPRISES, with even bigger hopes for the future, “I’m excited about more learning experiences and opportunities to grow. The future holds so much promise, and I’m ready to continue with school and work. My message to others facing tough times is to keep pushing through and take advantage of opportunities like LA:RISE.” We’re cheering on for your continued success, Imani! Learn more about the LA: RISE program here: redf.org/larise

“When you're in the Accelerator, you spend seven months with people having these very vulnerable and intimate interactions and conversations. Particularly for me as a person who's super introverted, this process helps you build a very authentic relationship. And so, when you face a challenge – because we have faced a lot of challenges over the last few years – these are people that you can go back to. And you know that if it's tough, they're going to tell you! Because you guys have been in this space with each other, sharing the most intimate parts of your experience together, that what they share is in love and care for what you're experiencing. Maybe they've experienced it too, or if they haven't experienced it, they have a different viewpoint of what you're going through. But they understand your passion and your humanity, and they’re candid with you about the things that you're going through.” (2/2) Shanita McAfee-Bryant, Award Winning Chef, Executive Director & Founder of The Prospect KC More on our #InCommuity series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa