The Power of Partnership
We are all in this together. Our Ripple team realizes that NO ONE organization fixes all problems. Ripple of One is only one piece of a larger picture. Every month we spotlight one of our partners and explain how we work together to bring a family from struggle to stability.
About 9 years ago Chris and Jim Wilson were on a mission to help people who felt hopeless and seemed to need assistance year after year. Chris, Jim and a dedicated team of volunteers became determined to find a way to empower people to be part of their own solution. They discovered the Dream Center an organization that had a different approach to helping. Prior to traveling to Los Angeles to get ideas from the first Dream Center --Chris inquired about Ripple of One wanting to make sure that they wouldn't be recreating the wheel. While both organizations are similar with the 'Hand Up' approach--the populations they serve are different.
Dream
Big
Opportunity Village
The Dream Center (DC) provides residential services to a population where most have no transportation and are homeless (or are close to being homeless). DC restores hope by providing mentorship, room and board (through their Opportunity Village) and giving Dream Dollars for attending classes. Classes are on topics such as budgeting, parenting and spirituality. Dream Dollars are used to pay rent, build a savings or used to shop at the Dream Center Resale Store. They also started a Santa Shoppe where struggling parents can earn vouchers through the classes and then shop for Christmas gifts.
Ripple of One (RoO) is similar in that it's a mentorship + incentive program. RoO helps families who have found themselves stuck year after year and have no plan to move beyond government assistance. RoO candidates typically live in subsidized housing but have a stable place to live and must have reliable transportation.
Meet 2 Dream center grads Destiny and Amanda! Now coming into Ripple of One
How the organizations work together:
The Dream Center opened their heart and home to make a space for Ripple to open their 2nd location in Easley SC. After a family graduates from DC - they now have that foundation which makes them a perfect candidate for a RoO. They're ready to move to the next level. After being enrolled into RoO, they are given another layer of opportunities.
Julia Schaefer -Mentor Care Manager for Ripple of One
Julia Works at the Ripple of One office in Easley SC located inside the Dream Center.
RoO provides paid internships to help get them get their 'foot in the door' while building their resume and skills even further. Monthly Savings Match: RoO matches their savings up to $200 every month to build a 3-6 month emergency fund and pay off debt. Lil'ripplers program: their children are enrolled in Lil'ripplers where the children also receive a personal mentor, work on saving money and earning Ripple bucks like their parents. They are learning how to create stability and healthy habits early in their lives. Generation Ripple!
Dream Big and Ripple Onward!