Ripple 2.0
Six Transformational Initiatives with Enduring Impact
Thanks to 15 years of dedication and incredible support from our donors and volunteers, Ripple of One stands at an exciting crossroads, poised for significant growth.
Our recent expansion into Easley and Greenville, coupled with streamlined processes for new participants and the introduction of a prevention-focused model for young adults, has resulted in a remarkable doubling of our participant base in the past year. A Ripple first!
We’re also proud of three impactful initiatives increasing the success of participants:
A mental health initiative is helping participants stay in the program.
A dedicated recruiter is attracting new participants and volunteers.
A workforce development program is identifying higher paying jobs for participants.
Our success and unprecedented growth not only present new opportunities but also underscore the need to re-evaluate our organizational structure, resources, processes, and facilities to harness this momentum. A recent evaluation led by our board of directors and external experts has identified six transformational initiatives:
Additional staffing to support current and future growth and improve employee satisfaction and retention. We are in the process of evaluating staffing at every level and the need for additional specialists in such areas as workforce development, intake/onboarding, finance, donor development and care, and staff training and development.
Building strategic partnerships to fuel our growth and attract donors and volunteers to support participants in new geographic areas of expansion.
Transitioning from leasing to owning a facility that accommodates our growth and stabilizes costs while wisely investing in our future. Over the years, local churches have generously donated space to us, but as we’ve grown, so have the costs of renting. Because we are paying significantly less than the facility’s appraised value, we’ll have equity on day one! This move also provides flexibility for evening and weekend programs and an enriching environment for staff and participants.
Creating a Ripple of One Foundation to accommodate long-term gifts, such as charitable annuities, and optimize the management of our financial assets to ensure our organization’s long-term viability and impact.
Launching a second resale store to further enhance our outreach and impact by creating a new revenue stream. The goal is for our resale stores to cover Ripple of One operational expenses so that more donations directly support families and programs.
Creating a scalable Ripple of One model that can be seamlessly replicated by other communities/ organizations across South Carolina and beyond.
As we implement these initiatives, we remain steadfast in our commitment to our original mission: Empowering people to move beyond public assistance through mentoring, accountability and incentives that promote independence. Our high-touch approach is vital to our participants’ success, and we couldn’t do this work without the dedication of incredible volunteers, donors, and staff.