Collaborate with Us!
Building Strong Partnerships for Lasting Impact
Building Strong Partnerships for Lasting Impact
Building Strong Partnerships for Lasting Impact
At Back 2 Work, Collaboration is a core value that drives our mission to build strong relationships with funders, partners, and community providers. Our partnerships with organizations like REDF (The Roberts Enterprise Development Fund), Caltrans, CDCR, Rise Up Industries, Vehicles for Change, and the Employment Training Panel (ETP) have been instrumental in creating pathways to stability and employment for individuals facing barriers such as incarceration and homelessness.
By combining resources and expertise, we’re making a lasting impact in our communities. If you're interested in partnering with us, please reach out to Joycelene Gonzalez, Project Assistant, at jgonzalez@bcoe.org to explore collaboration opportunities.
Existing Partnership Overview
Existing Partnership Overview
Vehicles for Change- San Diego
Information directly from the Vehicles for Change website. For more details, visit their site: https://www.vfcsandiego.org/
HUMBLE BEGINNING
In 1999 VFC began as a car donation social enterprise. In collaboration with the Department of Social Services, automobiles were awarded to people experiencing extreme poverty and in need of transportation.
2022
Vehicles For Change San Diego is a non-profit organization that provides Automotive training to those in need. Since 1999, we have been working with the Department of Social Services to provide automobiles to people experiencing extreme poverty and in need of reliable transportation. We’re proud to have been able to help thousands of individuals and families.
TODAY
We recently opened our San Diego Vehicles for Change Virtual Reality Training Program, which is a 10 week program designed to teach participants the skills needed to work in the automotive industry. Our goal is to have 36 graduates in the first year and at least 100 graduates in the subsequent years. With our help, individuals can gain the skills and knowledge they need to gain employment and succeed in the automotive industry.
Rise Up Industries
Information directly from the Rise Up website. For more details, visit their site.
Founded in 2013
In 2013, we incorporated Rise Up Industries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in response to Father Greg Boyle’s challenge to start something in San Diego County similar to what Homeboy Industries established in Los Angeles.
Reentry Program launched
After a few years of research, networking with related nonprofits in San Diego, and offering basic services, we launched the Reentry Program in March 2016. Our 18-month Reentry Program now provides a comprehensive set of services including employment, job-training, case management, tattoo removal, counseling, mentoring, education assistance, financial literacy, life skills, and work ethic development.
JOBS MATTER
Unfortunately, previously incarcerated, formerly gang involved individuals face numerous barriers to successful reentry, especially employment. This pushes many back into criminality and perpetuates the cycle of recidivism.
The Reentry Program offers more than income—it offers a sustainable career. We prepare our members for careers in CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machining, which is a well-paying trade that is in high demand.
Changing lives everyday
Former enemy gang members work side by side, helping one another to complete the Reentry Program and make positive life choices. The kinship they’ve fostered is an example to us all.
REDF
REDF (The Roberts Enterprise Development Fund) is a nonprofit organization that invests in and supports social enterprises—businesses that create jobs and employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to work, such as those who are formerly incarcerated, homeless, or have disabilities. They provide funding, capacity-building services, and a national network to help these enterprises grow, creating economic opportunities and pathways to self-sufficiency for marginalized populations.
You can visit their official website at https://redf.org.
ETP
The Employment Training Panel (ETP) offers funding to help employers enhance their workers' skills through training programs that lead to well-paying, long-term jobs. Established in 1982 by the California State Legislature, the ETP is funded by California employers through a special payroll tax. It operates under a tripartite governing structure, with Panel members appointed to represent business, labor unions, and state government. As a funding agency rather than a training provider, the ETP allows businesses to determine their own training needs and delivery methods. ETP staff are available to assist with fund applications and participation processes. For more information, visit their website.
California Grants
The California Grants Portal (a project by the California State Library) is your one destination to find all grants and loans offered on a competitive or first-come basis by California state agencies.
Grants.Gov
How to Apply for a Federal Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov
Posted on April 28, 2021 by Grants.gov
First-time applicants can understandably feel daunted by the task of applying for a federal funding opportunity on Grants.gov. Here, we explain, at a high level, the key steps in the application process, providing a roadmap that will help applicants feel more confident about the journey ahead.
Step 1: Make sure you have registered an account on Grants.gov
You only need to register once in order to apply for federal funding opportunities on Grants.gov. But if you are applying for the first time, this is a key step in the process. This guides users through the registration process.
Registration Tip: : If you are applying for grants as a specific person and not on behalf of an organization, you are considered an “individual applicant”. If you are working on grant applications on behalf of a company; state, local or tribal government; academic institution; or other type of organization, then you are an “organization applicant”. Learn more about adding an or after account registration.
Note: When an organization user registers with Grants.gov, the organization’s admin user (E-Business Point of Contact or a user with the Expanded Authorized Organization Representative [AOR] role) can assign the new user a core role, a custom role, or no role.
Step 2: Determine Your Eligibility and Identify a Funding Opportunity using Grants.gov Search
Funding opportunity eligibility requirements are defined by legislation and federal agency policies. To receive federal funding, you must meet an opportunity’s eligibility requirements. A key part of this step is knowing your entity type. Are you a nonprofit organization? A city government? A university-sponsored research lab? Knowing this allows you to more easily narrow your search for funding opportunities you might be eligible for.
Key Resource: If you have questions about your eligibility for a federal funding opportunity, please read our blog post .
Step 3: Apply to the Funding Opportunity by Creating a Workspace
Workspace is a shared, online environment where your team may simultaneously access and edit different forms within an application.
Key Resource: This and this walk step-by-step through the process of creating a workspace. Become a workspace wizard by watching the .
Step 4: Complete Your Application
Once a workspace has been created, it’s time to complete your application. This involves a range of tasks, including adding other team members (registered Grants.gov users) to the workspace, carefully reviewing agency instructions, filling out required application forms, and .
Key Resource: We have developed for applicant teams that go into greater detail. We recommend reviewing the use-cases and choosing one as your team’s workspace roadmap.
Step 5: Check Your Application for Errors and Submit Your Completed Application
Check the completed application for errors by using the button.
Once the application has been checked for errors, an authorized user can submit the application. The grant-making agency will then pull the application from Grants.gov and reach out to applicants as needed.
Key Resource: For step-by-step instructions on all application related tasks, review the and bookmark the .