KHCC THRIVE

KHCC serves low- and moderate-income individuals in the Bronx, upper-Manhattan, and Westchester. The majority (73%) of participants are Latinx, 12% are Black and 12% are racially mixed. Our participants face many generational barriers to economic success, health, and wellbeing including limited access to capital, nutritious food, healthcare and quality education. The majority are immigrants or the children of immigrants, with 64% speaking a language other than English in the home (primarily Spanish). We know at least 30% are undocumented from self-disclosures; we assume the actual percentage is much greater considering fear keeps many from revealing their status. Based on free/reduced-price meal eligibility, an estimated 75% of participants are low-income.

There is a strong need for KHCC’s unique solution for undocumented female entrepreneurs, such as EWDP. Government supported programs are limited to serving only documented citizens and prioritize training people for full-time employment in fields that contribute to the formal economy. Some foundations have similar limitations to their workforce funding. For this reason, the EWDP can be challenging to fundraise for despite the fact that it meets a real and urgent need and supports the most impoverished, disenfranchised women and mothers in the City. We continue to aggressively fundraise for the program despite these challenges and have proven successful in doing so during the two-year pilot. We continue to seek out progressive private foundations as our partners.

In response to the unique needs of predominantly immigrant populations served by KHCC, a gap was identified in job training programs that cater to non-English speakers seeking part-time employment or supplemental income, including undocumented individuals. Traditional job training offerings did not meet these specific criteria, prompting the development of the EWDP tailored for Spanish-speaking immigrant women interested in launching microbusinesses. Despite the success of EWDP, a new challenge has emerged around technology accessibility and digital literacy.

The challenge we aim to address is significant locally and globally, affecting immigrant women entrepreneurs who lack access to technology and digital learning opportunities. The need for digital literacy is critical for advancing their microbusinesses and connecting them to broader economic opportunities. This challenge resonates beyond our community, with millions of immigrants worldwide facing similar barriers to technology access and skill development.

KHCC Thrive seeks to bridge the digital divide by providing immigrant women entrepreneurs with supported workshop space and access to computer labs at our center. Through workshops conducted in Spanish, participants will engage in digital learning on topics such as project management, user experience design, and digital marketing. Bilingual teens will play a pivotal role in this initiative, enhancing their technology skills while teaching digital literacy to immigrant women in a collaborative, intergenerational setting. 

KHCC Thrive will empower female head of household entrepreneurs to elevate their business ideas through enhanced digital skills and knowledge. Bilingual teens will gain leadership experience and proficiency in tech while promoting inclusivity and cultural exchange. This intergenerational approach not only benefits participants directly involved, but also contributes to the broader community by fostering economic resilience and technological advancement among immigrant populations.

Our solution, KHCC Thrive, is an innovative program designed to empower Spanish-speaking immigrant women in the Bronx to start and grow their own microbusinesses through comprehensive job training and supportive resources. KHCC Thrive builds on the success of our Entrepreneurial Workforce Development Program (EWDP) by expanding into a hybrid model that combines in-person workshops with digital learning opportunities, leveraging technology to bridge the digital divide and enhance entrepreneurial skills.

KHCC Thrive operates by providing a structured curriculum of business management classes delivered virtually in Spanish, covering essential topics such as business planning, accounting, branding, and marketing. Participants also receive hands-on hard skills training in product development, including creating personal care and food products. Bilingual instructors lead these sessions, ensuring accessibility and cultural relevance for our target audience.

In addition to educational components, KHCC Thrive offers wraparound support services, including one-on-one coaching, assistance with business start-up tasks (like online storefront setup and product marketing), microgrants for startup costs, and ongoing alumni networking opportunities. Restorative Justice Circles are also integrated into the program, providing participants with a safe space for open discussion and building community trust.

Technology plays a crucial role in KHCC Thrive's hybrid model. We utilize virtual platforms like Google Classroom for online courses, enabling participants to access educational content remotely and at their convenience. This approach not only addresses language barriers but also enhances digital literacy among participants, equipping them with valuable technology skills for business management and online marketing.

Furthermore, KHCC Thrive leverages community spaces and resources, including KHCC's community garden and industrial kitchen, to provide hands-on training and product development opportunities. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, participants can develop marketable products and connect with potential customers both online and offline.

Overall, KHCC Thrive empowers immigrant women to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, fostering economic independence and community engagement. Through a blend of culturally responsive education, hands-on training, and ongoing support, our program aims to unlock the potential of Spanish-speaking women entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive in the Bronx's vibrant microbusiness ecosystem.

The Entrepreneurial Workforce Development Program (EWDP) serves a specific target population of Spanish-speaking immigrant women residing in The Bronx, New York. These women face multiple challenges and barriers to economic and personal success, including limited access to job training programs that cater to their unique needs.

The target participants for EWDP are predominantly low-income immigrant women, many of whom are undocumented and face language barriers, limiting their access to traditional job training and employment opportunities. Within the Bronx community served by KHCC, approximately 64% of households speak a language other than English at home, primarily Spanish. Many of these women are mothers with children and are seeking part-time employment or supplemental income to support their families.

The EWDP was specifically designed to address the unmet needs of this underserved population. It provides a tailored approach to job training that includes business management education, hard skills training in product development (such as soap and candle making), and ongoing coaching and support for business start-up. By offering instruction in Spanish, EWDP eliminates language barriers and allows participants to engage fully in the program from day one.

The impact of EWDP goes beyond job training; it empowers participants to become entrepreneurs and business owners, providing them with the tools and confidence to start and manage their own microbusinesses. For these immigrant women, the program offers a pathway to economic self-sufficiency and financial stability. By learning business management skills, developing marketable products, and receiving microgrants for startup costs, participants can generate income and contribute to their families' well-being.

Moreover, EWDP fosters a sense of community and connection among participants. Many of these women may otherwise feel isolated due to language and cultural barriers. Through the program, they form bonds with fellow participants, share experiences, and receive ongoing support even after completing the formal training.

The solution addresses the participants' needs by providing holistic support beyond just technical training. It incorporates restorative justice practices, monthly alumni meetings, and ongoing case management to ensure that participants have the resources and support they need to succeed beyond the program.

Overall, EWDP is not just a job training program; it is a transformative experience that empowers immigrant women to achieve economic independence, build confidence, and create lasting connections within their community. By directly addressing the needs of this underserved population, EWDP contributes to their overall well-being and enhances the economic resilience of Bronx families.

Our team at Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) is uniquely positioned to deliver the Entrepreneurial Workforce Development Program (EWDP) to our target population of Spanish-speaking immigrant women and engage the broader community, including teens, in meaningful ways. Here's why we are well-suited to design and implement this solution:

Community Proximity and Representation:

Our team is deeply embedded in the Bronx community, where we have been serving residents for nearly five decades. We understand the cultural nuances, challenges, and aspirations of the predominantly Latinx population we serve. Our team lead, Alex Martinez, as the Adult Services Director, brings direct experience working with immigrant communities. Alex's insights and connections within the community ensure that our programs are culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of our participants. Lorita Watson, a Bronx  native, our Education Specialist with a background in STEM, also contributes valuable expertise and perspective to our initiatives.

Partnerships for Holistic Support:

We leverage strategic partnerships with organizations like Grow with Google to provide career certificates and Cornell Tech's Learning and Maker Space, along with their higher academic prototyping lab, provides valuable design thinking and prototyping resources to our stakeholders. These partnerships enrich our program by offering participants access to cutting-edge technology and educational opportunities. Our collaborations embody a commitment to intergenerational learning and innovation. Teens involved in our programs contribute to the design, voice, and implementation of initiatives, fostering leadership skills and confidence among participants.

Community-Driven Design and Implementation:

The design and implementation of EWDP are guided by community input and ideas. We regularly engage with participants, families, and community stakeholders through focus groups, surveys, and ongoing conversations. For instance, the expansion of EWDP to include a new food business track was inspired by the expressed interests of program participants who wanted to pursue food-related microbusinesses. This community feedback directly shapes our curriculum and offerings.

Meaningful Impact and Sustainability:

Our team's commitment extends beyond program delivery to long-term impact and sustainability. We prioritize building lasting relationships with participants, providing ongoing support post-program, and fostering a sense of belonging within the KHCC community. Through our alumni network and engagement activities, participants remain connected and supported as they navigate their entrepreneurial journeys, contributing to the economic vitality of their families and the Bronx community.

In summary, our team's proximity to and representation of the communities we serve, coupled with strategic partnerships and community-driven design, ensure that the Entrepreneurial Workforce Development Program is not only relevant but also transformative for our target population. We are committed to empowering immigrant women and teens, fostering economic resilience, and driving positive change in the Bronx.

Through the Entrepreneurial Workforce Development Program (EWDP), we have successfully built and tested a comprehensive job training initiative tailored specifically for Spanish-speaking immigrant women interested in launching microbusinesses. Over the past two years, we have served more than 80 women through the pilot phase of EWDP, providing them with essential skills, resources, and support to pursue entrepreneurship.

Accomplishments include:

• Designing and implementing a curriculum of virtual business management classes delivered in Spanish, covering topics such as business planning, accounting, branding, and marketing.

• Conducting hands-on hard skills training sessions in creating personal care products, led by experienced artisans, to introduce techniques and creative possibilities in soap, candle, scrub, and lotion making.

• Providing ongoing one-on-one coaching and support to assist participants in business start-up tasks, such as identifying sales venues, setting up online storefronts, troubleshooting issues, and developing branding strategies.

• Offering microgrants to cover startup costs, empowering women to invest in inventory, branding, and storage necessary for launching their businesses.

• Establishing monthly alumni meetings for graduates to continue honing their skills, collaborating, and accessing additional training based on participant needs.

• Integrating Restorative Justice Circles during orientation week to foster community building and trust among program cohorts.

Through these initiatives, we have directly served a cohort of Spanish-speaking immigrant women, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and support systems needed to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. The pilot phase of EWDP has demonstrated tangible outcomes, including increased confidence in entrepreneurship, achievement of business goals, and successful business launches among participants.

Moving forward, we are building on these accomplishments to expand and enhance our offerings under KHCC Thrive, leveraging lessons learned from EWDP to deepen impact and engage a broader audience of beneficiaries, including bilingual teens and academic partners through our evolving intergenerational and Cornell Tech collaborations.

KHCC THRIVE as part of the Settlement Houses network, is dedicated to empowering immigrant women and bilingual teens through entrepreneurship, technology, and community collaboration. Our Entrepreneurial Workforce Development Program (EWDP) addresses the unique needs of underserved populations in the Bronx by offering tailored job training, business management education, and wrap-around support to launch microbusinesses.

Our initiative, embedded within KHCC's mission of community empowerment, has successfully piloted over the past two years with seed funding from local foundations. We have served over 80 women, proving the impact of our approach in supporting economic stability and emotional wellness. Now, with the opportunity to expand through Solve's support, we aim to scale our impact and overcome critical barriers to sustained success.

KHCC Thrive faces specific challenges that Solve's resources can help address. First, we seek technical assistance to enhance our digital learning platform and integrate innovative tools for business management and design thinking. By leveraging Solve's network of technology experts, we aim to optimize our curriculum delivery and empower participants with cutting-edge skills.

Additionally, community engagement and partnerships are essential for our growth. Solve's network can facilitate meaningful connections with organizations experienced in workforce development, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. These partnerships will enhance our program's reach and sustainability, fostering collaboration and resource-sharing for greater impact.

Capacity building and leadership development are fundamental to our program's expansion. Through Solve's tailored workshops and coaching, our team will strengthen skills in program management, impact measurement, and strategic planning. This support is crucial as we navigate the complexities of scaling our initiative and maximizing its long-term effectiveness.

Legal and market insights are also vital for our participants' success. Solve's resources can provide valuable guidance on regulatory compliance and market opportunities, ensuring our microbusinesses thrive in a competitive landscape. Access to pro bono legal services and market research will empower our entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and navigate challenges effectively.

Finally, financial sustainability and funding opportunities are essential for our continued growth. While not solely focused on fundraising, Solve offers access to additional funding beyond the initial prize, including grants and investments. This financial support will enable us to expand our program, develop new components, and ensure the long-term viability of KHCC Thrive.

In summary, partnering with Solve represents a transformative opportunity for KHCC Thrive to overcome barriers and leverage collaborative resources for community impact. We are committed to empowering immigrant women and youth with the skills, resources, and networks needed to thrive in entrepreneurship and technology. Through Solve's support, we aim to scale our impact, drive sustainable economic development, and foster resilience within our community and beyond. Together, we can create meaningful change and empower individuals to build brighter futures.