We are very excited and honored to announce that Juma was chosen from among 250 applicants as one of 61 California based Employment Social Enterprises to be part of the California Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (CA RISE), a newly launched initiative that leverages the power of mission-driven businesses to help Californians overcoming barriers to employment. Our excellent track record of successfully serving low-income young people along with our innovative programming led to the award.
CA RISE is the first ever statewide initiative supporting employment social enterprises. CA RISE provides funding along with technical assistance, capacity building, and shared practices. The program is a joint effort funded by the State of California, through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), in collaboration with nonprofit REDF (serving as program lead), and minority-led small business lender Lendistry (serving as fiscal agent). Participating social enterprises hail from 16 California counties and collectively serve over 8,000 individuals with barriers to employment.
During the 15-month program, Juma participates in monthly training sessions and coaching calls aimed at helping us grow our impact while increasing our enterprise sustainability. Funding is supporting the expansion of Juma’s CONNECT services, with a specific focus on barrier removal for youth at risk of disconnection. Fewer barriers like housing insecurity and limited technology access means increased ability to show up for enterprise shifts, learn necessary career skills, and transition into an opportunity pathway like post-secondary education and living wage employment.
The initiative officially launched in August with an in-person convening in Sacramento that included representatives from all 61 participating agencies and the opportunity to hear from State Representative Isaac Bryan and State Senator Josh Becker, who spoke about the value of employment social enterprise within the State’s workforce development system. Representative Bryan and Senator Becker both mentioned Juma by name in their remarks, identifying us as a model program with an impressive track record. While launched as a one-time initiative, both Representative Bryan and Senator Becker indicated their support for exploring ongoing CA RISE funding to strengthen California’s employment social enterprises and support the thousands of Californians relying on them for employment opportunities.
“Juma is honored to be part of the inaugural CA RISE program,” commented Juma CEO Adriane Armstrong. “The opportunity to work closely with REDF, leaders in employment social enterprise, and other programs from around the State–along with the significant funding–will improve our services and, ultimately, the lives of those we serve.”
