Covenant Coffee Awarded State ESE Funding
Covenant Coffee Awarded Grant from California State Initiative CA RISE to Expand Fair-Chance Hiring Opportunities
Recognized as a leading social enterprise in the state of California, Covenant Coffee will receive government funding, tailored capacity-building support through leading venture philanthropy REDF, and access to a network of social impact organizations working to advance economic inclusion and mobility in California.
Bakersfield, California (October 31, 2024) – Covenant Coffee is one of 61 high-impact employment social enterprises (ESEs) selected for participation in the California Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (CA RISE). This program is funded by the state of California, through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).
CA RISE was designed to invest in ESEs like Covenant Coffee, which serves foster youth and former foster youth to restore lives and transform generations.
All grantees operate as employment social enterprises (ESEs), purpose-driven businesses that provide paying jobs, training, and supportive services to people overcoming workforce barriers, including opportunity youth, emerging adults, refugees, asylees, people with experiences of homelessness/housing instability, involvement with the justice system, survivors of domestic violence or trafficking, and/or those with substance use or mental health challenges.
As a member of this cohort, Covenant Coffee will receive grant funding from the state of California, along with customized capacity building support and advisory services, organized through program lead REDF. This support aims to increase Covenant Coffee’s reach, sustainability, and impact as a vital center for equitable workforce development here in Kern County.
Randy Martin, Covenant CEO stated, “The funding and recognition from the State of California for Covenant’s workforce development efforts with foster youth will greatly impact our expansion of services, supports and worksites.”
Together, these 61 mission-driven businesses provide quality jobs and career opportunities across a range of industries across the state of California. View a full list of grantees here.
Martin stated, “Covenant has many amazing partners in Kern County that use Covenant Coffee in their restaurants, businesses and homes. We are proud to give foster youth #hopeinacup and partner to stem the cycle of abuse and neglect through workforce development, mentoring and services and supports.”
For more information or to request an interview, please contact Randy Martin at 661-829-6999 or contact@covenantcs.net
ABOUT Covenant Coffee
Covenant Coffee is a social enterprise of Covenant Community Services, Inc. (Covenant). The mission statement of Covenant is providing hope and love to restore lives and transform generations. We fulfill the mission by living out three action-based value statements:
- Give hope always
- Provide the opportunity for growth
- Support with love and accountability.
You can find out more about Covenant Community Services at our websites Covenant Coffee and Covenant Community Services
ABOUT CalOSBA
The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) supports economic growth by providing resources and support to the state’s 4.1 million small businesses, including non-profits and startups. Our mission is to help all California small business-owners find and navigate resources, programs and regulations so they can start, manage, grow, become more resilient, and thrive. By ensuring equitable access to capital, markets and networks, we aim to help Democratize Access to Capital, Diversify the Innovation Economy and Drive Economic Mobility through Entrepreneurship. For more information, visit https://calosba.ca.gov/.
ABOUT REDF
REDF invests in employment social enterprises (ESEs) — businesses that provide jobs, training, and support to people breaking through barriers to employment. REDF partners with these businesses and the entrepreneurs who lead them — providing capital, capacity, and community — to amplify their transformative impact. Since 1997, REDF has invested in 302 ESEs in 41 states and DC. Collectively these partnerships have helped 133,500 people enter the workforce and generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue that is reinvested in employee success — creating a ripple effect that strengthens families and communities and helps build an economy that works. For everyone. For more information, visit www.redf.org.
ABOUT Lendistry
B.S.D. Capital, Inc. dba Lendistry (lendistry.com) is a minority-led fintech that provides innovative lending products and access to grant programs for small businesses nationwide. Headquartered in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone, Lendistry uses technology and community partnerships to overcome systemic gaps that inhibit access to capital, and to empower its customers with responsible financing options. Based on its reputation for deploying funds efficiently and equitably, Lendistry’s leadership is often called upon to share their expertise with both government and private organizations. Lendistry has both Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certifications and is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Lendistry SBLC, LLC is the nation’s only African American-led SBA designated Small Business Lending Company. In collaboration with The Center by Lendistry, a nonprofit business education organization, Lendistry dedicates itself to providing economic opportunities and progressive growth for underserved urban and rural small business borrowers and their communities.