Sharing Knowledge and Experiences to Create Social Change: REDF launches website platform

Nowadays, nearly every aspect of our lives is affected by the shared economy. We share rides, homes and even money to fund projects we find valuable. This growing part of our economy leverages information technology to empower individuals, nonprofits, corporations and government to distribute, share and reuse goods and services. With this collaboration comes new opportunities for ideas to grow and evolve. Why should employment for people facing barriers to work be any different?

Since its establishment in 1997, sharing has been a core value of REDF. In an effort to advance the social enterprise field focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to work, we have applied nearly two decades of experience to invest in REDFworkshop.org, a website platform that will empower the growth of this model. This one-of-a-kind gathering place connects and informs an engaged network of stakeholders, encouraging peer-to-peer collaboration structured to amplify outcomes and put hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged people to work.

REDFworkshop.org will bring together best practices and shared experiences of people working in the field and provide the tools and resources they need to be successful. Whether you’re a funder, entrepreneur, business owner, government official, community leader, or someone who wants to launch or grow a social enterprise, this website is for you and will allow you to be part of the national conversation to accelerate the pace of change and create an economy that works for all of us.

Here are a few of the features and opportunities available on the website:

Entrepreneurs who want to start or grow a social enterprise can use the powerful suite of tools that will let you test assumptions, develop a business plan, analyze markets, and validate the viability of your model. You’ll have an interactive dashboard available to track progress and get recommendations for next steps.

Visitors to the site will have access to an extensive library of compelling videos that provide insights from thought leaders who are driving change in the field including employers, policy experts, investors and philanthropists.

Meaningful guidance will be available to a variety of stakeholders, including:

• Social enterprise leaders and others will have a dedicated channel for private messaging, and a support network of community discussions to share ideas and contribute to sustained success.
• Traditional employers can collaborate to provide input on the employee skills they need and find ways to tap into the social enterprise sector as a source of hardworking and dedicated talent.
• Investors and philanthropists can come to the website to generate new approaches for driving financial resources and contribute to financial solutions that will amplify impact.
• Public policy advocates can find the latest trends in social enterprise and workforce development and inform others directly in order to influence social enterprise initiatives.

Join today and share your knowledge and learn from others in order to create change. It’s time to include everyone who can work and wants to work in our economy.

Carla Javits is President and CEO of REDF, an organization that is leading the pioneering effort to create jobs and employment opportunities for people facing the greatest barriers to work. Through her stewardship, REDF has helped impact the lives of thousands of people in need by investing capital and expertise in social enterprises – mission-driven businesses focused on hiring and assisting people who are willing and able to work, but have the hardest time getting a job. Inspired by REDF’s founder, George R. Roberts of KKR, Carla focuses on achieving measurable results by providing a business solution to solve chronic joblessness.