Known By The Problems They Solve

Posted by Erin on 04.26.2012 at 8:18 am

Guest post by Plywood People Project Manager, Gisele Nelson

Here at Plywood People, we live by the mantra, “We will be known by the problems we solve.” Once we’ve seen a problem that we believe there is a solution for, we feel we have a responsibility to begin solving that problem. We saw 2 problems.

1. Billboards were being discarded and we believed there could be an alternative use for them.
2. Refugees were being brought to the U.S. but couldn’t find jobs.

We felt passionate about addressing these needs, so we created Billboard Bags. We now employ refugees who make bags out of billboards.

We are proud and excited to announce that our Billboard Bag project is expanding to Clarkston, Georgia. With 6,000 refugees living in that area representing at least 50 countries, there is the need for jobs in the community. We are excited to get to know the neighborhood, and learn from the work being done there.

May 1st, we’re opening our bag project in Clarkston, Georgia. We are starting with a plan to employ 10 refugees who will make products, learn to sew, study English, be connected with a mentor, and be empowered to provide for their families and hope to expand from there. We are going to need a lot of help to make it happen, and we wanted to tell you about it, and ask for your help!

If you’d like to volunteer or donate, please contact Marisa Wheatley at marisa@plywoodpeople.com

*Note* The above guest post is from Plywood People Project Manager, Gisele Nelson. This content does not necessarily reflect the views of Better World Books (as our lawyers make sure we say). We love having guest bloggers and invite you to email 11@betterworldbooks.com if you are interested in covering a book or topic on the BWB Blog. Thank you, Gisele, we are big fans of Billboard Bags!

What about you? What problems do you see that you may have a solution for? How are you addressing social needs?

Have your say » | Tagged From our Friends, Social Enterprise