REDF

Summer's gotten to an impact-full ;-) start! While folks around the world were navigating the #internetshutdown last week, it made me think of all the memorable #inpersonmoments I've had this summer so far. Below are a few ways that I've been able to show up in person for people, communities, and clients that I care about: 1. Attending REDF's ESE retreat in LA last month. REDF brought together 150 #SocialEntrepreneurs, focused on providing supportive employment opportunities to those experiencing the most barriers (think: justice-impacted folks, folks experiencing homelessness, and others), to share best practices, learn, grow and recharge with each other. Personal highlights for me: the session on economic power (pictured below), hearing ESE feedback on strategy that my team helped support (community voice and power sharing in action!), and the ESE site visit to Ora Cafe. cc: Maria Kim, Elizabeth Heredia Benjamin, Jeff Bergquist, Peter Lippman, Jess Nizar, Jalpa Patel, Jennifer Holk (Smith), Anthony Jolly, George Okpamen, PharmD, MBA 2. Volunteering with my colleagues at the Monitor Institute for Deloitte's annual #ImpactDay. Stepping out of our traditional "behind the laptop" or "in the office" strategy sessions, we opted for an outdoor volunteering activity where we participated in a park beautification project in Long Island City. Highlights: learning about the park's natural ecosystem and getting our hands dirty removing invasive weeds. cc: Allan Ludgate, Heena Khoja, Charlotte Johnson, Kaitlin Terry Canver, Hannah Ouyachi, Manan Mehta, Alisha Malkani 3. A quick trip home during Deloitte's #summerdisconnect to spend time with my family in Florida - especially my brother who goes by "Stitch". We planned a couple of fun #mentalhealth and #selfcare days (think: sibling time at the beach :-)) as he navigates some change in his life. Stitch is an adult with down syndrome who is learning how to navigate and design a life for himself after the disabilities services "cliff" post the age of 22. Our time together meant everything to me <3

We are so excited to announce the winners and finalists for the 2024 Impact Prize! In its inaugural year, the Impact Prize focused on recognizing nonprofit programs with proven outcomes leading to high-value employment for people from diverse backgrounds. Meet our 2024 Impact Prize Winners:   • Lost Angels Career Center • Rebuilding Exchange  • Rise Up Industries • West Virginia Women Work, Inc. These four organizations, spanning various sectors and industries, impressed us with their excellence in advancing economic mobility through innovative workforce development and technical training initiatives. We can’t wait to show you more about the incredible impact they are making in their communities. We also want to recognize the following Impact Prize finalists for their outstanding work: BEST Hospitality Training, Grace Institute, Manufacturing Works, The Marcy Lab School, Next Chapter, Revolution Workshop Thank you to Thomas Iovino and the team at Iovino Family Foundation, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Selection Committee, and all applicants for making the first Impact Prize a success! Learn more about the Impact Prize and our 2024 winners and finalists at https://lnkd.in/ewCmMcEP. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/eV7v_bqk.

Today, CEO invited former participants to share their experience of having to choose between job training and putting food on the table. We are so grateful to Tiffani, Samantha, Joel, Eric and Will for sharing their stories about the challenges they have faced navigating these systems and their vision for a workforce system that puts people on the best path for success. We look forward to working with them to pass the Training and Nutrition Stability Act, so no one else has to make this kind of decision. #TNSA #FarmBill

Catch my interview live with NPR All Things Considered today at 2:20PM PST/5:20PM EST. I had the incredible opportunity to speak with host Juana Summers on the forestry workforce shortage in California and the wider US, and how the The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program is solving for it by elevating an untapped pool of talent: formerly incarcerated folks. In 2023, the The Nature Conservancy Conservancy reported that there will be a gap of nearly 9,400 forestry workers in California by 2028. Recent data shows that over 3,500 people were released from prison with Fire Camp experience–a third of California’s wildland firefighting personnel shortage. At the The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, we’re setting out to connect these dots and close this gap in our state, but we know that California isn’t the only one battling labor shortages, employment challenges, and a climate crisis. We’re committed to tackling these issues one step at a time–and our work is just beginning. You can also find my interview available on all streaming platforms. Please be sure to give it a listen, and learn more about the opportunity FFRP provides: https://lnkd.in/gmHkTBWh And if you’re interested in supporting my work at FFRP, please consider making a contribution today: https://lnkd.in/ghFa2G-g