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Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. Soles4Souls advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator.Soles4Souls distributes shoes and clothing in two ways. Most new items collected primarily from corporations and retailers are given directly to people in need, both in the U.S. and overseas. The organization has relationships with several of the world's leading apparel brands, which provides Soles4Souls with new but non-marketable overstocks, returns, discontinued models and other shoes or clothing items.At the same time, Soles4Souls receives millions of articles of used shoes and clothing that have been collected by individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners. After sorting items in its national warehouse system, Soles4Souls typically sells the used shoes and clothing, as well as some new items allocated by manufacturers, to carefully selected micro-enterprise organizations. These both private and non-profit companies are contracted to provide shipping, financing, inventory, training and other support to ultra-small businesses in countries like Haiti where there are virtually no jobs to generate personal income.Through the collection and sale of used (and new) clothing and shoes, Soles4Souls helps create self-sustaining jobs that generate desperately needed revenues throughout those communities. The sale of footwear and apparel to support micro-jobs also provides the majority of funding to sustain Soles4Souls operations and further expand its donations of new shoes and clothing.

Founded in July 1992, JOIN works with homeless individuals and families who are sleeping on the street and not already engaged with another service provider. Homeless individuals working with JOIN envisioned a facility providing expanded basic services and outreach to homeless individuals within the context of a holistic response that also promotes individual dignity. This has evolved into an innovative and highly successful housing placement effort based on a "Housing First" approach.

Research shows that employment is a chief "trigger" in aiding those with the greatest barriers to work in their transition from poverty to productivity and greater prosperity. Nearly three-fourths of poverty spells end with a rise in earnings and employment occurs twice as frequently as any other event associated with an exit from poverty. Employment also encourages social mobility in addition to providing an economic benefit. A job strengthens human capital, facilitates access to financial capital, builds interpersonal skills, and enhances social networks. Having a job boosts employees' self-confidence and is source of dignity and pride. But entering and staying in the workforce is extremely difficult for many people who live in protracted poverty and have also confronted homelessness, health problems, fragmented families, incarceration, and inadequate access to a good education. The private sector is often unwilling to hire employees facing these barriers or provide adequate support to address the many challenges that can undermine their success once on the job. Few workforce development programs have achieved positive outcomes preparing those workers that are most disconnected to jobs, or creating durable pathways to employment. MDRC, one of the premiere researchers in this area, summarizes this consensus: "For at least three decades, policymakers, researchers, and program operators have developed and studied strategies to help people who face serious obstacles to steady work. Despite the broad policy interest in serving the hard-to-employ, knowledge about effective program strategies is still relatively undeveloped." REDF is uniquely positioned to address this problem. Our successful track record of building the capacity of nonprofits to operate social enterprises and the success those businesses have demonstrated in employing, retaining and advancing their employees is a solid foundation to build on as we invest in our new portfolio and expand the role we play with the organizations that we intensely supported for many years.

JVS Los Angeles offers hope and opportunity to our diverse community through job training, mentoring and education, combined with expert career guidance, employer partnerships and comprehensive resources, transforming lives and empowering individuals to achieve dignity and independence.

Step Up delivers compassionate support to people experiencing serious mental health issues, and persons who are experiencing chronic homelessness, to help them recover, stabilize, and integrate into the community. Through dynamic partnerships, we provide positive social and learning environments, vocational training, permanent supportive housing opportunities, and recovery services to empower individuals to cultivate lives of hope and dignity. We exercise innovative leadership and advocacy to increase public understanding, support and acceptance of all people living with serious mental health issues.

The Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) 3 organization was established in 1992 by Dan and Claire Marino, motivated by their experiences in raising their son, Michael, who is diagnosed with autism. The Foundation's mission is "empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities." For over 22 years, the Foundation has served individuals with disabilities in South Florida through therapies, research, education, and employment, and raised more than $50 million to create unique and impactful initiatives in the community. Among these "first-of-their-kind" initiatives are the Miami Children's Hospital Dan Marino Center, Childnett.tv, the Marino Autism Research Institute, Marino Adapted Aquatics, Summer STEPS Employment Programs, and Marino Campus, a new post-secondary educational opportunity for young adults, ages 18-28, with autism and other developmental disabilities.

The mission of Women Employed is to improve the economic status of women and remove barriers to economic equity. Women Employed has one passion: to make life better for working women. We believe that all women deserve full and fair economic opportunities. That means better career options and higher pay, more opportunities for training and education, and strict enforcement of fair employment laws. Women Employed is a leading national advocate for women's economic advancement. We analyze workplace issues, educate policy makers, and build support to improve opportunities and incomes. Since 1973, Women Employed has fought to outlaw pay discrimination, pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment and to strengthen federal equal opportunity policies and work/family benefits.

OPERATION RED WINGS FOUNDATIONS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES WITH A PATH TO HEALING FROM THEIR INVISIBLE WOUNDS

The Possible Project utilizes entrepreneurship to inspire young people who have untapped potential, empowering them with the skills required to achieve enduring personal and professional success. We guide our students through a novel dynamic curriculum, hands-on work experience, and assistance with entrepreneurial endeavors and career goals. We strive to have all our students use their skills to move through a high-level career path and improve their communities while remaining committed to the principle that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

The mission of Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow is to help disadvantaged youth and adults recognize their own self-worth, and advance towards self-sufficiency and financial security through job training, academic reinforcement, improved life skills, job placement, and support services. OBT approaches all of its programmatic endeavors with the three principles in mind: 1) Confidence: OBT’s programs seek to instill confidence in participants so that they can increase their self-esteem and improve their chances to succeed. 2) Discipline: OBT’s training model stresses personal discipline. OBT’s high standards and expectations hold participants accountable for their own success, making no excuses if they fail. 3) Professionalism: All of OBT’s programs are modeled after a “simulated” corporate work environment. Participants are required to dress and groom professionally, be on time each day, handle work assignments with deadlines, and act as they would be expected to behave at work.

The Adventure Project is a nonprofit “adding venture” capital to create jobs to solve social problems in developing countries. Handouts help today— but a good job will change your life. Jobs transform everything. It’s what people want most. Jobs multiply opportunity, hope, education, peace, and prosperity for everyone. When people have good jobs, they invest in their future Empower one hero and you transform an entire community. Every $1,200 raised provides job training to hire one person. That job ends up serving approximately 500 neighbors with essential services. From farmers growing food to feed families or well caretakers keeping clean water flowing, these jobs aren’t just great – they are essential  

To unleash the positive energy of low-income young people to rebuild their communities and their own lives with a commitment to work, education, responsibility, and family.