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
U.S. REGION UPDATE
U.S. REGION UPDATE - October 29, 2012
Partnerships that end poverty in the United States through business!
* In Chicago, Sunshine Gospel Ministries has a vision for 200 Jobs on 61st Street in Chicago's South Side. Saturday, November 10 is the date for the Sunshine Enterprises Business Incubator Launch event. Entrepreneurs, marketplace professionals, and church and community organizations are welcome. Sunshine Enterprises is also developing Greenline Coffee as the anchor business for the emerging business incubator. Follow Greenline Coffee on Twitter (@greenlinecoffee).
* In the Yakima Valley, Transformation Sunnyside has provided servant leadership training for businesses, schools, local government, and churches. To address high under-employment and unemployment, they are developing a community business academy to serve new and growing businesses. A May 2012 business conference co-hosted with Partners Worldwide, a partnership with the Sunnyside Pepper Festival, and an emerging partnership with a regional radio network are just a few ways Transformation Sunnyside is expanding its network and serving the entire Yakima Valley.
* In Chattanooga, LAUNCH provides training, mentoring, and business opportunities for the underserved in South Chattanooga who wish to better their lives and attain self-sufficiency. This fall LAUNCH is hosting six business training courses throughout the city, with graduation of the 70 participants slated for mid-November. Last year LAUNCH's efforts resulted in 15 businesses started or grown, representing 45 jobs.
* In Mississippi, Gaston Point CDC in Gulfport is developing a network of young and growing businesses. Networking, learning and business opportunities occur on a monthly basis, with customized training available. Last summer they provided training and business launch for 11 youth entrepreneurs that was described, by a local television station, as the only program of its kind in the entire state. LaDarius Scott (photo, second from right) won the Gaston Point CDC youth business pitch competition for his HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) business.
* In West Michigan, Hope Network R4W partners with an in-prison church, local authorities, and a network of businesspeople for successful reentry for men. Their model includes support and encouragement for both the individual and the employer. Employers called to use their business as a ministry are needed.
* We pray regularly for these businesses and groups: Belay Enterprises, Denver, CO * Rising Tide Capital, Jersey City, NJ * Metro Merge, Atlanta, GA * Emanuel CRC, Wyoming, MI * Goei Center for Entrepreneurship, Grand Rapids, MI * StartingUpNow, Chicago, IL * SoCal Business Pitch, Azusa, CA
To get involved as a business volunteer, mentor, or partner - or to request an information packet on affiliating your group with Partners Worldwide in the U.S - contact Rudy Carrasco, U.S. Regional Facilitator (mobile 616 309 4434 email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).