United States Affiliates
Regional Overview
The United States is the wealthiest nation the world has ever seen. At the same time, more than 40 million people live below the poverty line. The economic downturn of recent years has exacerbated the plight of people mired in generational poverty, and the ranks of the new poor—the former middle class who now frequent food lines and have lost their homes—are growing.
Partners Worldwide connects the skills of business and professional people with the great need for opportunity and innovation. Creative solutions include new business training and launch, rural business development, successful prisoner re-entry, youth entrepreneurship, and urban community revitalization. In these and other contexts, business people in the Partners Worldwide network are a part of the solution to ending poverty in the United States.
Hope Network West Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI
In Grand Rapids, approximately 4,000 convicted felons return to the community from prison each year. The unemployment rate for these returning citizens exceeds 50%. Almost half will re-offend and return to jail or prison at a cost of over $30,000 each—not to mention the cost of children without parents or good role models, cost to the victim, and increased law enforcement. Hope Network West Michigan provides a framework that supports both returning citizens and their employers for a successful re-entry. The framework includes individual assessments, prescriptive pre- and post-release job readiness programming, a core group of faith and value-based employers, and consistent follow-along support to help overcome hurdles and barriers. Website: Hopenetwork.org
Stories
New Partnership connects businesses with citizens re-entering society
Wednesday July 11, 2012
Read More
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – Partners Worldwide, Hope Network and Celebration Fellowship are partnering to solve an important problem—prisoner re-entry, especially employment for these returning citizens.
U.S. REGION UPDATE
Tuesday May 15, 2012
Read More
There is a growing movement of businesspeople living out business as ministry in their own cities. The Partners Worldwide United States Region has five new affiliate groups that seek partners for their exciting initiatives.