Quarterly: New Beginnings

 

In this summer RSF Quarterly, we turn to workforce development organizations that are determined to employ and empower job-seekers with the highest barriers to workforce entry and re-entry. These transformational programs provide a “wrap-around” approach that emphasizes transferable skills, vocational pride, improved quality of life, and social-emotional competency to go along with standard occupational training. First, we sit down with Armando Bernasconi, CEO at Quality Connections, an RSF borrower that helps disabled individuals become independent — inside, and outside of work. Through our conversation, we learn how his office supply company empowers its employees to be productive community members via employment, job training, and practical life learning. Next, we head to the Bronx, New York to profile BlocPower, an organization that develops and finances energy efficiency projects in low-to-moderate income communities. Here, we showcase how the company is lowering energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions in neighborhoods that are most affected by pollution and climate change.