EcoTech Visions has had numerous amount of success in reaching our goal to create jobs for the underserved community in which we are based. November 2014, we were featured in an article in the Miami Times and NPR. We had our Grand Opening and First Annual Benefit, which we were able to auction off one of the bikes that is manufactured by one of our EcoPreneurs, Aelous Motors. We received 3 fellowship clients for our organization that were previously unemployed and assisted 4 of our incubator clients to receive relocation grants from the local CRA.
In December, we officially opened our doors and acquired 13 companies under our incubator within that same month. Rolling Stones Magazine graced us with their presence, and we received a Key to the City from the Mayor! We are still trying to check to see what door this key will open. We started our EcoPreneur workshop series and conducted our first workshop for preparing our clients grant applications for the CRA which was well attended. While being in the spirit of holiday giving, we held our first annual clothing drive in which we partnered with Dress for Success, a nonprofit that dedicates their purpose to helping those unemployed get back into the workforce. With the momentum that was set in November, the month of December equally followed suit. Nevertheless, we ended 2014 on an extremely positive note.
By ending the year on such a wonderful note allowed us to start the New Year off on the right foot. We partnered with the Beacon Council and conducted a workshop on Free Trade Zones. Another workshop that many of our clients loved was the Small Business Tax workshop. We also have been busy working with our clients and provided them with orientation on how to obtain an intern for their company as they matriculate through our business development program.
With the growing notoriety that we’ve receive thus far, the opportunities to assist and develop our incubator clients into quality companies for our community has been plentiful. We are continuing to reach out to the local colleges and schools to shore up our internship programs so that we can train the next generation and prepare them to be part of the workforce and the green movement. For instance, Barry University students volunteered their time on two separate Service Days by lending us a hand in making sure this dream became a reality.
Our work has not stopped as we have been steadily working to raise the budget for 3 staff members. Our clientele continues to steadily grow as well as the interest of our community as we now have to date 17 incubator clients. That’s 17 companies that we are assisting in developing into small businesses that will be able to provide quality paying jobs within our local community. All of this could not have been possible if it wasn’t for the donors who believed in our vision and are working along side us to see to it that this dream happens. We will continue to nurture our vision and stay steadfast to the mission: Creating jobs, sustaining communities and protecting the planet. It’s been an extremely great challenge for us that is also exciting and has been so far a wonderful adventure every step of the way.
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