CHICAGO (WGN) — Two organizations are joining forces to help Chicagoans find purpose by giving them a second chance through packaging sweet treats during the holiday season.
Two years ago, A Safe Haven teamed up with Packed with Purpose, a Chicago-based gifting company that packs and ships treats that make a positive societal impact. Thanks to that collaboration, Charonda McDonald is working with a team that packages a variety of treats.
“It showed me that I can do anything, anything is possible,” McDonald said. “After I started working this job, it gave me some independence that hadn’t been [there before]. It gave me [the ability] to be self sufficient.”
Earlier this month, A Safe Haven and Packed with Purpose received a bronze Anthem Award for social impact partnership.
Leeatt Rothschild, the founder and CEO of Packed with Purpose, said she’s grateful to lead a company serving the community and helping build people back up.
“It’s such a beautiful opportunity to know that we’re not only providing gifts that folks are happy to give, but that we’re really creating opportunities in training individuals to feel good about entering the workforce,” Rothschild said.
After gaining skills through Packed with Purpose, those who work with the non-profit say the goal is to help people advance to other prospects.
“That’s kind of the A Safe Haven model,” said Mark Mulroe, president of A Safe Haven. “Creating opportunities, but making sure it’s the first part of their journey, not the destination.”
To learn more about A Safe Haven, visit the foundation’s website by clicking here.
For more information on Packed with Purpose, their website can be found by clicking here.
