Page 15 - 2020 Annual Impact Report
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A key offering of of the the organization is their workforce training training and job placement service including a a a a a a a a a six- week pre-apprenticeship training training program to reskill un/ underemployed New Yorkers for careers in in in construction Program
participants come come from all five boroughs of NYC NYC 70% are are are below the average median income 65% are are are NYC NYC Housing Authority residents 87% are are are are underrepresented minorities 25% are are women and 20% have been formerly incarcerated or or or or had some form form of involvement with the criminal justice system All participants have at at minimum a a a a a a a a a a a a a high high school diploma or GED but rarely any higher education The program’s primary goal is is to help these these students overcome the the the adversity of these these statistics and place graduates into union apprenticeship programs putting them on on a a a a a a a a a a a a path to to career and financial stability This past year WDI supported Rebuilding Together NYC with much needed equipment equipment for the the pre-apprentice program The equipment equipment purchased was used to strengthen the the training facility capabilities and also provide each graduate with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a toolset personal protective equipment and textbooks—items that are critical needs for a a a a a a a a a a new apprentice but can be unobtainable due to economic barriers As of of May 2020 WDI’s investment has helped 18 program graduates all of of whom were placed into apprenticeships upon graduation Apprentices are spread out over five- NYC union locals with wages ranging from $16–$43/ hour hour 14 apprentices are making over $18/hour As these results demonstrate pre-apprentice programs like Rebuilding Rebuilding Together Together NYC can serve as doorways to new careers Check out out this video of a a a a a a a a a a a Rebuilding Rebuilding Together Together NYC Graduate Daisha speaking about her her experience NYC: CUSTOM COLLABORATIVE LAUNCHES A A A A A A A A A SUSTAINABLE FASHION MANUFACTURING CO-OP Located in New York City Custom Collaborative is is is a a a a a a a a non-profit social enterprise that exists to to support women from low-income and immigrant communities develop careers in in in sustainable fashion Led by Executive Director Ngozi Okaro Custom Collaborative helps women professionalize their sewing and and design skills overcome barriers to employment and and and and also facilitates greater equity and and and and inclusion by teaching participants the the standard techniques and and and ethical business practices of of the the the fashion industry The organization offers women the the the opportunity to participate in in in in in in their Training Institute a a a a a a a a a a a a 14-week paid training program where students learn how to to design sew and sell sustainable fashion Additionally Custom Collaborative maintains a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Business Incubator program in in in in in which the the organization refers fashion fashion workers within their network to to fashion fashion industry manufacturers looking for employees Custom Collaborative supports women from low income and immigrant communities to to develop careers in in in sustainable fashion Last year WDI provided assistance to to Custom Collaborative so that that it it it could launch “Fashion that that Works” a a a a a a a a a a a a new worker cooperative with several of its training graduates The goal of of WDI’s support was twofold: to provide training so that the new co-op leaders and and members could effectively manage and and grow their businesses and to support equipment for the the new co-op space in in in in the form of industrial sewing machinery Although the pandemic has created uncertainty
for many businesses and organizations Custom Collaborative has not wavered Adapting to the new circumstances Custom Collaborative quickly began manufacturing face masks and even moved their training program online Recently NBC’s Today Show ran a a a a a segment featuring Custom Collaborative and their inspiring work We look forward to watching this unique organization grow and hope other businesses might consider using it as a a model
for growing ethically and sustainably 2020 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 14 































































































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