Link to video: https://wgntv.com/video/dions-chicago-dream-works-to-address-food-insecurity-in-chicago/9493788/

_{Dion Dawson, the founder of "Dion's Chicago Dream" and Damien Carter (aka Tweeks the Chicago Fire) stopped by WGN's 4pm News to talk about the non-profit's work to provide free fruits and vegetables to those facing food insecurity. For more info: https://dionschicagodream.com/}

In recent years there’s been a noticeable trend of successful entrepreneurs and executives emerging at increasingly younger ages. New generations have the ability to bring new ideas to the table that may have been previously overlooked. In addition, entrepreneurs from the ‘digital native’ generation have grown up alongside the rapid evolution of technology giving them a unique perspective on pain points and opportunities.  

With their fresh outlooks and determination to challenge conventional norms, StartupBeat presents 40 founders and executives under 40 who are making significant waves in their industries.

These trailblazers are reshaping the future of entrepreneurship by introducing innovative ideas and initiatives that drive positive change and serve unaddressed markets.

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‍Matt Strauss

Founder and CEO at RiseKit

Driven by a deep commitment to addressing social challenges, Matt Strauss, a former venture capitalist, set out on a new path inspired by his volunteer mentoring experiences. Witnessing the hardships faced by job seekers, particularly those in underserved areas, he became resolute in making a lasting impact. This led to the creation of RiseKit, an innovative software solution designed to level the playing field for individuals seeking employment opportunities.

RiseKit facilitates the seamless connection between entry to mid-level candidates and a diverse range of job openings, training programs, and supportive services. By breaking down barriers that often impede successful employment outcomes, the platform empowers job seekers to unlock their full potential and thrive in their chosen careers. Beyond its time-saving benefits for nonprofits, employers, government systems, and community foundations, RiseKit’s ultimate goal is to foster a more inclusive and equitable job market.

The full article can be found here: https://startupbeat.com/40-under-40-the-founders-and-executives-shaping-2023/36806/

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Published: June 5, 2024

City of Chicago DFSS Renews Partnership with RiseKit to Boost Chicagoland Job Opportunities

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In Chicago, a partnership between the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and RiseKit is making a real difference. Their collaboration aims to enhance job opportunities and economic empowerment for residents across the city.

Since its inception, the DFSS-RiseKit partnership has made significant progress in placing individuals into jobs and training programs. Today, we're excited to announce the renewal of this partnership, marking a commitment to further strengthen these efforts and expand their reach.

The partnership's impact extends beyond government and corporate entities, resonating with employers and nonprofit organizations alike. Employers such as Zentro Internet have witnessed the benefits of connecting with diverse talent pools through RiseKit. Nonprofit delegates from organizations such as North Lawndale Employment Network have praised the initiative for empowering underserved communities.

“Zentro Internet is thrilled to be part of this exciting program, working alongside RiseKit and DFSS to empower Chicago job seekers. RiseKit’s integration with our existing applicant tracking system, JazzHR, aligns with our innovation first principal and aligns perfectly with our desire to create career opportunities.” said Tom Vranas, Chief of Staff, Innovation and People at Zentro Internet.

“The North Lawndale Employment Network is excited to continue our collaboration with RiseKit and DFSS, further enhancing our mission to transform lives through employment and justice. This partnership enables us to connect more Chicagoans with sustainable job opportunities and training, fostering lasting economic growth and community resilience.” said Darrian McNeal Retention Specialist at North Lawndale Employment Network

As the partnership enters its next phase, more job seekers, employers, and nonprofits are encouraged to join this collaborative effort. RiseKit offers job seekers access to resources tailored to their needs, helping them find suitable employment.  Employers benefit by reducing their time-to-fill vacancies through a vast network of community partners, providing them with skill-ready candidates. Nonprofits can expand their impact by improving the navigation experience for their participants and connecting them to employment opportunities in the Chicagoland area.

Learn more about our partnership with DFSS here.

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CHICAGO, March 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RiseKit, a US-based software provider focused on innovating the ways companies source untapped and diverse talent from community organizations, has raised a total of $4.75 million to enable organizations to scale their community hiring and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

RiseKit has secured investments from a diverse range of philanthropists, venture capitalists, and social impact investors, including Muditā VP, Stand Together Ventures Lab, Sylvie Légère, Steve Sarowitz, Thad Wong, Tom Gimbel, Ryan Daube, Scott Kallick, Verte Opportunity Zone Fund, and Prota Ventures.

RiseKit Raises $4.75 Million to Help Companies Solve Labor Shortages by Scaling Their Community Hiring; DEI Initiatives

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With this funding, RiseKit plans to build behavioral and skills-based machine learning models to personalize a jobseeker's journey to gaining meaningful and financially impactful employment while reducing the time and cost of sourcing talent for employers.

RiseKit aims to empower marginalized communities—such as veterans, the homeless, ex-offenders, primary caregivers, refugees, and immigrants—to access job opportunities and resources that can help overcome employment barriers.

While seeking societal change, RiseKit is also paving the way to creating a Workforce Operating System to better coordinate efforts, improve the efficacy of employment and optimize the feedback loop. By integrating RiseKit's software with existing applicant tracking systems (ATSs), government agencies, employment service providers, and employers can track candidates throughout the hiring process, view shared status updates, and access in-app messaging.

"We must include untapped, under-represented, diverse, and overlooked talent in our workforce to help people overcome poverty. But it's costly for companies to do that since 100 million people don't use LinkedIn or Indeed but instead utilize community organizations to gain employment," said Matt Strauss, CEO of RiseKit. "We've found that corporations can only partner with five to 50 community organizations, while there are over 200,000 that they can source from in the US," he continued.

As part of its plan to grow into new cities across the US, RiseKit will also expand its board and join forces with channel partners. Through strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations, the company can harness expertise and resources to deliver more value, thereby having a greater impact on society.

"Matt has found a very interesting model that we believe will provide economic returns while creating a truly life-changing event for the people who need it most. He cares so much about building an equal world, and that's why we think RiseKit can become the go-to DEI and Community Hiring tool for corporations," said Ethan Linkner, General Partner of Muditā VP.

To learn more about RiseKit, please visit their website or fill out this contact form.

About RiseKit

RiseKit provides all job seekers access to a career path, regardless of their zip code, social capital, or past circumstance. Its software connects unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved communities with jobs, training programs, and supportive services to rise above any barriers to employment they may have. RiseKit also helps nonprofits, employers, government systems, and community foundations save time supporting job candidates, measuring outcomes, and efficiently impacting the communities they serve.

SOURCE RiseKit

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Supporting your child’s mental health is an ongoing process that involves creating a safe, open, and supportive environment. As a parent, it’s important to be proactive in recognizing the signs of mental health issues and knowing how to respond effectively. This guide provides practical advice to help parents navigate this critical aspect of their child’s development.

👉 One of the first steps is to foster open communication. Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and listen without judgment.

💙 Use resources like Puberry to facilitate these conversations. Our app provides educational content and scenarios that can serve as conversation starters, making it easier for parents to engage with their children on sensitive topics.

🧘 It's also essential to model healthy behaviors. Show your child how you manage stress and prioritize your own mental health. This sets a positive example and reinforces the importance of mental well-being.

🚧 Additionally, be aware of the signs of mental health issues such as changes in mood, behavior, or academic performance, and seek professional help if needed.

😄 “Our students love using the emojis in Puberry’s calendar to check-in with their feelings (emotionally and physically) each day!” - Middle School Teacher