WOMENS BEAN PROJECT
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Mission Statement
Women's Bean Project provides stepping-stones to self-sufficiency through social enterprise.
About This Cause
Women’s Bean Project believes all women have the power to transform there lives through employment. So, we hire chronically unemployed and impoverished women and teach them to produce nourishing foods that we sell across the US through some of the largest retailers. Through her work she learns to stand tall, find her purpose and break the cycle of poverty. Because, when you change a woman's life, you change her family's life. Who We Are Women’s Bean Project is a nationally recognized social enterprise that has created transitional employment in gourmet food and handcrafted jewelry manufacturing for chronically impoverished and unemployed women for 31 years. By working in an active business, women learn basic job readiness skills – reliability, accuracy, punctuality and attendance – while also addressing life skills – communication, accountability, problem solving and goal setting. These skills help graduates go on to lead successful, self-sufficient and fulfilling lives, creating a new future – for themselves, their families, our community and our economy. What We Do • Meet basic needs by paying a wage and providing support services to our participants • Teach life skills that enhance a woman’s ability to govern her own life • Provide training in the fundamental job readiness skills required by employers • Refer participants to other organizations for preparation such as GED tutoring, counseling or other services • Provide individualized job placement services Our goal is to assist women living in poverty to stabilize their lives, improve their self-esteem, and ultimately, move toward long-term employment and self-sufficiency. Who We Serve The women enrolled in the Bean Project have histories of poverty and chronic unemployment; most do not have a high school diploma or GED. Many are single mothers and have been on public assistance. Many have recovered from histories of incarceration, substance abuse or domestic violence. Our participants set an example for generational change—many of our graduates have sent their sisters, daughters and mothers to us. Our Program Participants learn fundamental job readiness skills and behaviors required by employers by working in the following training tracks: • On our production line packaging food mixes • Offsite events and public speaking opportunities • In our shipping and receiving department • At our front desk (in our store) learning basic office, customer service and running a cash register. Participants also learn life skills by attending: • Weekly life coaching group, addressing issues such as appropriate workplace behavior, positive communication, and employment goals • Ongoing job coaching and mentoring (including Trauma coaching) • Learning topics such as health and money management Participants complete Women Bean’s Project’s program within an average of 9 months; depending on the amount of time it takes them to acquire job readiness skills. Historically, the women served by the Bean Project share the following characteristics: 100% Low income 70% Single heads-of-households 65% No GED or H.S. diploma 80% Felony backgrounds 80% Histories of public assistance 70% No health coverage 50% Eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation 75% Lack of stable housing 80% Women of color 90% Lack of saleable job skills 80% Histories of substance abuse