Published November 10, 2010 10:57
During a time of concern over double-digit unemployment, one organization is helping hundreds of local youth with the greatest barriers to employment get real jobs and succeed in the workplace.
New Door’s success in creating first jobs for disconnected youth was recognized by Bank of America, who today awarded the organization its coveted San Francisco Neighborhood Builder Award with a $200,000 grant. New Door is one of two organizations in San Francisco recognized for making the greatest social impact on the community this year.
For over 20 years, New Door Ventures has been providing paid jobs, training and support in its own social enterprise businesses for some of the neediest youth in San Francisco. Because youth unemployment rates are at an all-time high – one in five 16-24 year olds are unemployed – New Door recently began partnering with local businesses to expand its successful jobs program. New Door’s business partners provide job internships for youth, while New Door provides case management and supplemental training in work and life skills.
Emily Dreblow, founder of Soulflower Floral Design, states, “I partner with New Door by supervising youth interns looking to develop job skills because I get inspired by supporting young people – it’s exciting to see what a difference New Door’s program makes in their lives.”
“New Door does such a great job of preparing young people to take the first step into the world of work,” said Krystin Rubin, co-owner of Mission Pie, another New Door partner. “We love having young people work at our shop, but as a small business, it takes the preparation and support that New Door offers these youth to make the internships successful. It’s a great partnership, and everyone wins.”
“Over 8,000 youth in San Francisco face severe barriers to ever getting and keeping a job,” says New Door’s CEO, Tess Reynolds, “including poverty, homelessness, and low educational achievement. Since employment has proven to be twice as likely as any other factor to raise people out of poverty, we give these youth real jobs and the skills they need to succeed in a regular marketplace job. Thanks to the Bank of America award, we will be able to prepare twice as many youth for a lifetime of meaningful employment.”
About New Door Ventures:
New Door Ventures has helped over 1800 at-risk youth in San Francisco get ready for work and life. New Door Ventures provides these youth with paid jobs, skill-building and intensive individual support through its two social enterprises (Pedal Revolution, a bicycle sales and repair shop, and Ashbury Images, a custom screen printing manufacturer serving businesses and nonprofits nationally), and through local business partnerships. Over 90% of the youth who complete New Door Ventures’ programs go onto mainstream jobs, further education or both.
Contact: Caroline Pappajohn, New Door Ventures, 415.920.9200 x 310.