PPB February 2021

salary are all coming from our global social enterprise partners. Here, at HHP LIFT , you get a dignified job with robust benefits that are applied to everyone regardless of title. So, the brand-new program associate gets the same benefits I get as president. With us, they get cross- trained in every aspect of the business. People who get hired thinking they are just going to be pouring wax, are excited to get to investigate scents, problem solve, and research competitors. They are empowered when they are treated as equals in various aspects of work. One of our best campaigns came from a program associate, Alejandra, who has been promoted twice since then and is now our program manager. It’s an incredibly holistic and supportive environment where we can come together. PPB How can other companies incorporate a program like the 1eleven® Program within their corporate structure? Hirschberg We are a nonprofit social enterprise, we are an employer and we are also a business. So, we serve as an example of what businesses can look like. We don’t have stockholders, we have donors and employees we have to be responsible for, so the bottom line does matter in the same way that it has to with for‐profit businesses. But, you don’t leave your heart in the garage when you park your car. You need to bring your emotions and your heart into work with you. Our mission is about reducing the cycle of poverty and providing access to economic equity through livable wage jobs for people from under-resourced communities. Other businesses may have a different mission. We all saw the justified outrage last year due to inequity and inequality. So that’s what a company’s commitment needs to be. You may need to shift your priorities, you may need to rethink what the perfect candidate is and say, ‘I don’t need to hire someone with a college degree because I can train that person.’ Are you willing to open up opportunities to people without traditional qualifications? Are you willing to set up a program for those people? And if you do that, you need to offer support— incredible support—because our theory of change is that a job alone is not enough to make lasting transformation for an at-risk or marginalized workforce. The life barriers that existed—domestic violence, drug abuse, poverty—don’t go away just because you now have a job. The trauma doesn’t go away, and trauma is huge in marginalized and at-risk communities. So we provide ‘wraparound services’ through our agency partners to address the challenges that may arise. You have to be okay with being uncomfortable (change can be uncomfortable) and commit to bringing people to the table who you’ve never brought to the table before.” Kristina Valdez is associate editor of PPB . .com All Products Are Plastic • FDA Approved Materials • Prop 65 Compliant • Not Affected by China Tariffs ASI 61952 • SAGE 51641 • xII:B **+*.0 • DC 100413 • Bottle with Infuser Capsule • Add Flavor with Fruit • Flip Top Sipper Lid PI20 20oz Pogo Infuse PI28 28oz Pogo Infuse 13 Stock Lid & Infuser Colors EQP Special on all POGO INFUSE ORDERS Code: PPBTG0221 Ex: 4/30/21 Must mention code on PO. 300 piece minimum order. EQP $ 4.67 R EQP $ 4.57 R | FEBRUARY 2021 | 69 CONNECT