During National Poverty Awareness Month, it was announced that Stand Together would dedicate $3.55 million to 8 partner organizations or ‘Catalysts’ focused on helping individuals attain meaningful work and better job opportunities. They have partnered with community organizations across six issue-related portfolios for their social change investments: Addiction & Mental Health, Financial Empowerment & Entrepreneurship, Housing & Homelessness, In-Prison, Re-Entry & Second Chances, Workforce Development, and Youth & Education. One of the workforce development Catalysts is none other than Chrysalis, and we are thrilled to announce that we have just been awarded a $1.2 million grant for 2019!

“National Poverty Awareness Month represents an opportunity to connect the American people to the 40+ million Americans living in poverty and the 18 million living in persistent poverty. Our goal is awareness of not just the problems of poverty but also demonstrating that transformation is possible and where to look for it,” said Evan Feinberg, executive director of Stand Together.

Recognizing the way unemployment affects not only an individual but families and communities as well, Stand Together works with dozens of organizations committed to helping individuals realize their potential and find a path to sustainable employment, independence and community contribution through effective personal and professional development programming.

“A meaningful job is the most direct path out of poverty, but it’s so much more than that. It restores dignity, hope, and purpose,” Feinberg said. “There are so many barriers facing the chronically jobless – addiction, mental health issues, criminal records and often a lack of needed skills. Thankfully, there are non-profit social entrepreneurs that help individuals tap into their unique gifts and talents, overcome barriers, and realize their full potential.”

Chrysalis became a Stand Together Catalyst in 2016, receiving grant funding along with training and consultation from industry experts in organizational development, branding, measurement and growth, and strategic relationships to amplify our impact and strategically expand our reach.

Our initial work with Stand Together was instrumental in helping us launch Chrysalis’ new Orange County center, which opened last November. With this new grant, we are excited to focus on further growing our impact, streamlining our operations, and optimizing our existing processes as we explore future expansion opportunities.

“Giving our partners more financial resources to expand their work is critically important, but it’s about more than money,” Feinberg continued, “Stand Together is proud to offer business training through a proven management philosophy and connections to passionate investors and partners around the country.”

Click here to learn more about the eight grant recipients.

Click here to see more about how Stand Together supported Chrysalis’ Orange County expansion.