SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
GIFT GUIDE ft i G e Give th y it n u t r o p p O of
American Made Opportunities
PRESENTED BY
Investing in Employment and Hope
ABOUT REDF REDF is the only venture philanthropy organization in the U.S. that invests exclusively in the growth and effectiveness of social enterprises— double bottom-line businesses dedicated to helping people who otherwise would be shut out of the workforce, get jobs, keep jobs, and build a better life. Social enterprises are businesses that sell quality goods and services, make money, and then put that money back into their businesses in order to employ and support more people. Employees of social enterprises are overcoming serious challenges—like homelessness, incarceration, mental health and substance use struggles, and limited education—and are ready and willing to contribute, they just need that first step back into the workforce, and the support, to help them succeed. Since 1997, REDF has provided funding, and specialized advisory services to over 60 social enterprises in California to help them, and the people they employ, succeed. REDF’s work also helps spending for government programs go further. To date, these social enterprises have earned and reinvested in their companies $163 million in revenue while employing over 14,000 people. In addition to transforming lives and strengthening communities, social enterprise investment provides a significant rate of return to society— $2.23 in benefits for every $1 spent. REDF expanded the impact of its work nationally, building the field of social enterprise, deepening the evidence base to demonstrate the return on investment, and partnering with some of the most effective and innovative social enterprises around the country to strengthen their business, scale their impact, and help tens of thousands more people transform their lives and futures. CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW A JOB CAN TRANSFORM A LIFE. ANTHONY’S STORY
REDF— AN INVESTMENT THAT WORKS
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ECOSYSTEMS
Visit our website: www.redf.org
PARTNER
= Part of REDF’s national or strategic grants portfolio.
REDF GIFT GUIDE 2016 • 2
DEAR FRIENDS,
e h t e Giv … f o t f Gi CREATING OPPORTUNITY .............Page 4
EMPOWERING WOMEN .............Page 9
BUILDING SKILLS .............Page 13
While the economy is improving and more people are getting jobs, many Americans are still left out. This was starkly evident as REDF toured the social enterprises it is working with in cities across the country. These enterprises are giving a chance to men and women who are overcoming barriers to employment like past incarceration, addiction, homelessness, and lives consumed by gangs and violence. While eager and able to work, these individuals are denied the chance at self-determination so many of us enjoy. How can you help? Purchase products from the REDF Gift Guide, and support the social enterprise movement. These products offer us a better bargain than we can get anywhere else—a ‘two for one’ purchase of a gift that is personally gratifying, while also directly and intentionally improving the lives of individuals, communities, and society at large. Support the social enterprise movement by purchasing gifts like beautifully-designed and wrapped beeswax candles from the Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz, and durable wood cutting boards from UTEC in Massachusetts. Support women who are transforming their lives and their futures by creating and selling beautiful jewelry from Rebel Nell in Detroit and well-made candles from Bright Endeavors in Chicago. Find inner peace with the best meditation pillows from Infinitely Simple in Denver. Treat your senses with bath and body products from Thistle Farms in Nashville. With so many beautiful gifts to choose from, doing good has never been easier.
Onward, Carla Javits REDF President and CEO @cjavitsredf
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Give t he Gif t of CREATING OPPORTUNITY
All items available to ship nationwide at www.greyston.com
Greyston Bakery doesn’t hire people to bake brownies—they bake brownies to hire people. Give the delicious gift of Greyston Bakery Brownies and you give the gift of opportunity, self-sufficiency and success to a hardworking individual. Choose all or one of your favorite flavors: Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Chocolate Mint Brownie, Snickerdoodle Blondie, Brown Sugar Blondie and Vegan Chocolate. Make it extra special with delectable hot chocolate and caramel, a chocolate scented candle from our friends at Bright Endeavors, or a Bakers on a Mission T-Shirt!
Since 1982, GREYSTON, the country’s leading social enterprise, has provided individuals in Southwest Yonkers, NY with employment, skills, and resources to lift them out of poverty. Greyston’s unique combination of Open Hiring at the world famous Greyston Bakery and PathMaking services offers a roadmap to assist individuals and families in visualizing and realizing their paths to self-sufficiency.
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BEELOVE is a social enterprise with a triple bottom line mission. Social: Provide people facing significant barriers to employment— primarily those with histories of criminal convictions—with viable opportunities to establish a work history, learn productive work habits, and become productive members of society. Economic: Contribute to the economic revitalization of the North Lawndale neighborhood through a social enterprise that is sustainable for the long term and generates jobs. Product: Produce and sell high quality honey and honey-based personal care and relaxation products.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.sweetbeginningsllc.com
Beelove extracts honey from their urban apiary in the heart of the North Lawndale community in Chicago. They use their delicious, complex, raw honey to create high quality skin care products such as lip balm, lotion, scrubs, and body wash. These products create opportunity, are good for the body, and help urban bees thrive. PARTNER
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Give t he Gif t of CREATING OPPORTUNITY
All items available to ship nationwide at www.villagecookieshoppe.com
The award winning The Village Cookie Shoppe offers delicious cookie flavors such as Chocolate Chip, Cranberry White Chocolate, and Oatmeal Raisin as well as Dark Chocolate Brownies. Cookies are shipped the same day they are baked and use only natural ingredients without preservatives. Makes a great gift for friends, family, and clients.
HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of the community. For over 25 years, Homeboy Industries has been transforming the lives of formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals by imagining an inclusive circle of compassion, kinship, and mutuality where there is no “us and them,” just “us.”
THE VILLAGE COOKIE SHOPPE is a pretty extraordinary place. We’re owned and operated by Mental Health America of Los Angeles. MHA uses the Village Cookie Shoppe revenue to help homeless adults and young people with disabilities get an education, a job, and a place to call home. We guess you could say we’re not your cookie cutter kind of shop.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.homeboyfoods.com and www.homeboyindustries.org/shop-homeboy
Homeboy Industries was the vanguard of the social enterprise movement. Their numerous social enterprises offer diverse branded products such as apparel, stylish bags, and useful office and home goods. Homeboy Foods offers delicious pastries, cakes, cookies, granola, and holiday gift packages. Or give “Tattoos on the Heart” by founder Father Greg Boyle, a collection of stories from Homeboy that will bring tears of sorrow and joy. PARTNER
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Give t he Gif t of CREATING OPPORTUNITY
All items available to ship nationwide at www.homelessgardenproject.org
Homeless Garden Project grows and makes their products with care on their certified organic farm. Their Lavender Gift Box includes a lavender sachet, bath salts, a soy candle, perfume, and lavender mint lip balm. Or enjoy their Sample box with hand-dipped beeswax candles decorated with dried flowers, lavender shortbread mix, and garden herb salt. Producing these items gives their employees valuable work experience and a sanctuary within the healing environment of an organic farm.
The HOMELESS GARDEN PROJECT provides job training, transitional employment, and support services to people who are homeless. HGP’s vibrant education and volunteer program for the broad community blends formal, experiential, and service learning. The programs take place on our three-acre organic farm and related enterprises.
BREAKING BARRIERS TO YOUTH SUCCESS
UTEC’s model begins with intensive street outreach to our most disconnected youth. UTEC engages youth through intensive support, job training in social enterprises and alternative education. Social justice and civic engagement are embedded, including our organizing and policymaking work, locally and statewide. UTEC’s primary outcome areas are: reduced recidivism, increased employability, and increased educational attainment. The long-term recidivism rate for UTEC-enrolled youth averages less than 15%, compared with a statewide average above 50%.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.utec-lowell.org/woodworking
UTEC’s handmade cutting boards are created from locally-sourced east coast hardwoods for durability and years of service. Much of our wood is donated from local hardwood sawmills as strips left over from larger jobs. Our young people transform salvaged scraps of ash, cherry and walnut into stunning cutting boards that are ideal for presentation and serving as well as food preparation. Each purchase of a cutting board supports UTEC’s work in breaking barriers to youth success
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Give t he Gif t of CREATING OPPORTUNITY
All items available to ship nationwide at www.centralcitycoffee.org
Central City Coffee helps people who have faced homelessness gain employment experience by sourcing and roasting sustainably harvested beans. Our trainees learn transferable clerical skills in an office setting that can help them achieve self-sufficiency. Working for Central City Coffee offers life-changing experiences.
CENTRAL CITY CONCERN (CCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency serving single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. Founded in 1979, the agency has developed a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including healthcare, recovery and employment. CCC serves more than 13,000 individuals annually.
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The MILE HIGH WORKSHOP exists to meet needs in the lives of men and women who are disconnected from work, and by extension, dignity and purpose. The WorkShop specializes in woodworking, sewing, laser etching, assembly and second chances. They create and support employment and job training opportunities for those facing barriers to work through the manufacturing and production of handmade goods.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.milehighworkshop.org
The Mile High WorkShop specializes in woodworking, sewing, laser etching, assembly and second chances. Coasters from Rocky Mountain Blue Stain “Beetle-kill” Pine and laser etched tumblers are some of our most popular items. Contact us for larger custom orders. PARTNER
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Give t he Gif t of CREATING OPPORTUNITY
All items available to ship nationwide at www.thegivingkeys.com
The Giving Keys is a social impact fashion brand changing lives with inspirational jewelry through their Pay It Forward business model. Every product is stamped with an inspirational word like DREAM, STRENGTH, HOPE, etc., and the wearer is encouraged to embrace their word, then Pay It Forward by giving their product to a person who needs the message more.
CLEAN 360 is a social enterprise of Roots Community Health Center’s workforce development program, the Emancipators Initiative. The Emancipators Initiative is a source of hope and opportunity for those who have been disconnected from the workforce for an extended period of time, have experienced significant barriers to employment, and may not have basic job readiness skills.
THE GIVING KEYS employs those transitioning out of homelessness to make and assemble their products. Since their incorporation in 2012, The Giving Keys has provided more than 65 jobs for ––people who are transitioning into self-sustainable lifestyles.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.clean360.org
Clean360 creates small batch, handcrafted bath and body products from the finest ingredients in its workshop and retail location in Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood. Find something for everyone on your list with their diverse scents like Kiwi Watermelon and Floral Sunrise.
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Give t he Gif t of EMPOWERING WOMEN
All items available to ship nationwide at www.bamessentials.org
BAM Essentials creates high-quality, natural and organic personal care products that are Good for Your Body, and Good for Everybody. BAM Essentials products include Lavender Deodorant, Geranium Cypress Facial Cleanser, Lavender Moisturizing Cream, and Grapefruit Sugar Scrub.
The BAM ESSENTIALS mission is to create high-quality, natural and organic personal care products, by training young women with the work and life skills to succeed. Women 16–24 years old are trained in financial literacy, career exploration, job readiness and mindfulness skills, while creating organic personal care products and learning small business operations.
BRIGHT ENDEAVORS is a social enterprise that provides transformative workforce tools to young moms in Chicago who gain job skills by manufacturing and selling soy candles. Participating young moms take big first steps on their career paths by learning professional skills, making progress toward their financial goals, and transitioning into permanent jobs.
Since 2007, Bright Endeavors has provided a pathway out of poverty to hundreds of young moms in Chicago through handson job training in a supportive professional environment. Young moms learn to manufacture and sell premium soy candles, elevating themselves above their current circumstances and building strong economic opportunities for their futures.
All items available to ship nationwide from www.brightendeavors.org
Light the way for young moms and their kids with premium soy candles & gift sets made by Bright Endeavors. Bright Endeavors’ candles and bath products are handmade by young moms using eco-friendly soy wax, phthalate-free fragrances, and Fair Trade soaking salts. All participating young moms learn transferable job skills and gain confidence by manufacturing Bright Endeavors products. PARTNER
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Give t he Gif t of EMPOWERING WOMEN
To learn more about our products, visit www.thistlefarms.org
Thistle Farms creates natural bath and body products that are as good for the earth as they are for the body. Pamper yourself and your senses with fragrant lotions, bath salts, candles, room sprays, and body balms. Making these products helps women learn skills in manufacturing, packaging, marketing and sales, and administration. PARTNER
WOMEN’S BEAN PROJECT changes women’s lives by providing stepping stones to self-sufficiency through social enterprise. Women’s Bean Project strives to break the cycle of chronic unemployment and poverty by helping women discover their talents and develop skills by offering job readiness training opportunities. With this stepping stone toward success, the women will be able to support themselves and their families and create stronger role models for future generations.
“ Tamra Ryan and Women’s Bean Project are front and center in the fight against poverty and chronic unemployment. These are topics we should all be discussing and social problems we should be trying to solve.”
THISTLE FARMS is a social enterprise of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking, poverty, and addiction. The women earn income from making all natural bath and body products. Your purchase helps sustain the well being of residents and graduates of our two-year residential program MAGDALENE as well as many individuals and communities throughout the world. Thistle Farms stands as witness that love is the most powerful force for change in the world.
Buying Thistle Farms products is an act of love. The products are made with the finest ingredients by artisans who nourish and heal their bodies and souls through their work.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.womensbeanproject.com
Women’s Bean Project makes handcrafted, limited edition jewelry and gourmet food items. The colorful and charming jewelry is made by hand in Denver. The diverse food offerings include bean soup, chili, cookies, brownies, corn bread, dips, mixes, and salsas and includes a large selection of gluten free items. The production of these items empowers clients with skills that allow women to move on to careers that support them and their families. PARTNER
— John Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado
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Give t he Gif t of EMPOWERING WOMEN
REBEL NELL creates defiant jewelry with a purpose. Our mission is to employ disadvantaged women in Detroit and educate them on financial management, life wellness, and business to empower them to successfully transition to an independent life.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.rebelnell.com
Rebel Nell turns scrap pieces of layered graffiti into beautiful works of wearable art such as necklaces, rings, and cufflinks. The graffiti, just like Detroit, might look a little rough on the surface, but is made up of beautiful layers—just like the layers of people, ideas, and history that make up the city.
MADE BY DWC is a social enterprise created by the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) that breaks the cycles of chronic unemployment and homelessness by empowering women to discover talents and develop skills through vocational opportunities. Its products generate economic and social capital to support programs at DWC.
To learn more about MADE by DWC, visit www.MADEbyDWC.org
handMADE is MADE by DWC’s line of unique products created locally by homeless and low-income women at the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles’ Skid Row community. MADE by DWC’s one of a kind gifts such as soap, candles, and journals are handmade using recycled and repurposed materials and with a commitment to connecting social profit to environmental sustainability.
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Give t he Gif t of EMPOWERING WOMEN
Seasonal clothing items are available to ship nationwide at www.povertees.com
The Povertees mission allows other companies and communities to support social outreach simply by purchasing clothing that they would need anyway. All Povertees Apparel products are made-inLA with extremely high standards for comfort, design, and fit. To provide opportunities for more people in need, Povertees seeks out corporate and community partnerships to produce clothing that is mutually beneficial.
EPAMade is a social enterprise that employs and trains single mothers in order to see hope rise in East Palo Alto, CA. We are a job readiness stepping stone for young mothers. We get to make generational impact by empowering the mothers through on-the-job coaching, accountability, positive community, life skills, and financial sustainability.
POVERTEES is a non-profit social enterprise that makes clothing locally to employ women transitioning out of homelessness within a supportive community. Through made-in-LA clothing production, Povertees is changing the way that communities think about clothing manufacturing and the ways businesses are involved in their communities. In-house, Povertees employees work to provide the same opportunities they have been given, to others.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.epamade.com
EPAMade designs and manufactures products that carry the warmth of a mother’s love. Pillows and ornaments are hand screen printed and hand sewn by single mothers in training. Organic soy wax candles are hand poured with love. Kids & grown-up apparel are hand screen printed with the hope that life will change and the season of suffering is not the end of our story.
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Give t he Gif t of BUILDING SKILLS
All items available to ship nationwide at www.heavendropt.org
HEAVENDROPt offers products such as pet bandanas, tri-braid bracelets, necklaces, and eyeglass holders made with strong, authentic, recycled military parachute material. These durable items make a great gift and show your support for the HEAVENDROPt cause.
HEAVENDROPT is a social enterprise that focuses on a triple bottom line. People: Provides competitive wage jobs for people with developmental/intellectual disabilities and veterans with disabilities. Planet: Obtains and recycles used military parachutes and turns them into unique products. Profit: The sale of Heavendropt products gives back to individuals with developmental/ intellectual disabilities and veterans with disabilities.
Creativity Explored advances the value and diversity of artistic expression. We provide artists with developmental disabilities the means to create, exhibit, and sell their art in our studios, in our gallery, and around the world
Over the past 33 years, Creativity Explored’s innovative and respected programs, structure, and culture have been recognized as a model in the field of art and disability worldwide.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.creativityexplored.org
Creativity Explored offers unique items from notebooks and apparel to orginal art pieces. Their purchase supports programs that provide people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to express themselves through the creation of art. A key focus of Creativity Explored’s services is to support those individuals with developmental disabilities who wish to become self-employed artists in creating and operating fully viable and profitable businesses.
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Give t he Gif t of BUILDING SKILLS
All items available to ship nationwide at www.shop.thechocolatespectrum.com
Give the gift that puts smiles not only on the faces of those that receive, but also those that give. The Chocolate Spectrum’s products are made by adults with developmental disabilities such as autism. When you purchase our products, you are also helping to support our training and employment program which is so needed in our communities.
INFINITELY SIMPLE’s mission is to provide job-driven training and real employment to those in recovery from mental health challenges in the creation of high quality, locally crafted products. The benefits of work and employment are proven to be a crucial component of recovery.
THE CHOCOLATE SPECTRUM’s purpose is to offer delicious chocolate confections while also helping individuals with developmental disabilities. We accomplish this two ways: By providing individuals with developmental disabilities training and by providing employment opportunities in some circumstances. In addition to training, each participant has the opportunity to engage in meaningful and purposeful experiences with an emphasis on social interaction.
All items available to ship nationwide at www.infinitelysimple.org/shop
INFINITELY SIMPLE designs, manufactures and distributes a line of handmade products for the meditation and wellness market. We offer beautiful, well-crafted meditation cushions, versatile shoulder bags, supportive yoga bolsters, hand-painted mirrors and scented eye pillows.
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BREAKING BARRIERS TO YOUTH SUCCESS
www.redf.org