About Us - Neighborhood Industries

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our mission

Our mission is to operate businesses that reveal value in people so that they can be a positive contributor in their homes and neighborhoods. We believe in using the workplace to help people cultivate the skills needed to effectively and successfully navigate the modern day workforce and achieve self sufficiency.

who we serve

Neighborhood Industries focuses on revitalizing some of Fresno’s poorest neighborhoods by investing in the development of its residents. Use the map below to dicover the impact of Neighborhood Industries by ZIP code.

Population living below poverty line:

59%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$77,545.20

Population living below poverty line:

49%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$115,105.08

Population living below poverty line:

43%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$46,675.68

Population living below poverty line:

24%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$25,938.48

Population living below poverty line:

37%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$81,523.32

Population living below poverty line:

30%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$59,982.60

Population living below poverty line:

48%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$21,277.68

Population living below poverty line:

23%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$56,591.64

Population living below poverty line:

34%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$46,203.00

Population living below poverty line:

25%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$50,390.88

Population living below poverty line:

39%

Dollars (via paychecks) invested by NH:

$106,367.60

empowerment through employment

Our belief is that jobs are the vehicle for an individual to move from being a recipient to a contributor in their neighborhood, resulting in long term neighborhood stabilization. The goal is that each pathway will lead to permanent employment, either within our social enterprises, partner organizations, or other employers.

1

Case Management

Program participants create a goal and action plan with a case manager who tailors a “pathway” to address individual barriers to employment.

2

Pathway Navigation

Over 90% of our social enterprise managers are program graduates who use their experiences and stories to invest into current program participants’ success.

3

Financial Barrier Removal

Program Participants are assisted in resolving debts that create major barriers to employment.

4

Financial Literacy

Participants are taught strategies to steward their financial resources.

5

Workforce Development

Program participants receive on-the-job training to develop vocational and soft skills. In addition, they participate in classes and workshops to learn vital social and emotional skills, interview preparation, and professionalism in the workplace.

6

Tutoring

Program participants attend private tutoring sessions to develop math, reading, and writing skills.

7

Counseling & Life Coaching

Program participants can meet with counselors for one-on-one sessions or group counseling.

8

Transitional Employment

Program Participants are placed in paid transitional positions within our social enterprises. These positions give the participants the opportunity to earn a paycheck and put the full scope of their learned skills to use.

our leadership

Board of Directors

Chairman

Jake Soberal

CEO, Bitwise Industries

Secretary

Andrew Feil

Executive Director, Every Neighborhood Partnership

Members

Alexandra Addo-Boateng Ed.D Reg. Psy.

Counselor- California Health Collaborative

Brian Fairbanks

General Manager, MAG Engineering Inc.

Bryan Feil

Co-Owner, The Revue- Coffee Shop

Eric Sha

Small Business Owner- Fresno, California

Marcel Woodruff

Owner, Celblock Enterprises | Organizer, Faith in the Valley

Michelle Wong

Head of Production, MEZA

Staff

Executive Director

Anthony "AP" Armour

Program Director

Addie Carr

Development Director

Ricky Bravo

Store Director

Aqua Davison

Recycling Director

Stephen Love

our partners

These organizations help make our vision a reality.

success stories

Manny Rodriguez

Manny first joined the Neighborhood family while in high school as part of the first Boys and Men of Color cohort to come through Pathways to Employment. During his time at Neighborhood Thrift, Manny completed Pathways to Employment and obtained a management position at the store. Manny has grown into an emerging leader with Neighborhood, creating positive change in the community he grew up in. He was recently accepted to CSU Fresno, where he is pursuing a degree in Social Work.

Manny’s experience working with the community at Neighborhood Industries is what inspired him to pursue a degree in social work. In Manny’s own words:

“Neighborhood Thrift is one of the greatest learning spaces I have been afforded, not just a job, but a place to find value in myself and help others do the same.”

David Garcia

One of the very first neighbors to work through Pathways to Employment, David Garcia first came to Neighborhood Industries in 2009. He faced many barriers to employment including a criminal record that posed challenges to finding employment. David’s struggles and life experiences created a very negative outlook of the world; he was ready to find a different way. Something special began to happen as David worked through Pathways to Employment, sharing laughs and life lessons with coworkers and case managers, his view of the world changed drastically and became more positive.

With a new outlook, David used his experiences to help others overcome their barriers to employment, which in turn allowed him to continue to grow. David is an example that when you help others, you in turn are helping yourself.

Neighborhood Industries operates its social enterprises as “class rooms for life,” with the belief that a great employee will be a great father, husband, neighbor and friend. This was evident in David’s life as he completed Pathways to Employment and re-entered the workforce, he became a positive force in his home and neighborhood. Nearly 10 years since first coming to Neighborhood Industries, David still works with program participants sharing encouraging words and an infectious smile, helping them to view the world in a positive lens.