OUR MISSION IN ACTION
Accompaniment is at the heart of our WORK
We get the job done. Our work with collectors and their families ends when they have a path out of poverty for good. We don’t prescribe one-time support; rather, we walk alongside families on their journey, providing the resources they identify as essential while we transform systems to be accountable to their success.
We Focus on the ‘First Mile’
We focus on the ‘First Mile’ of recycled material supply chains to improve the working conditions and livelihoods of recyclables collectors. Our model is designed to bring recognition to their work and improve responsible sourcing standards across the supply chain. Through a model of accompaniment, we walk alongside them to ensure they have a pathway to economic freedom, agency, and choice.
We Partner With, Not For
We believe those closest to a problem are also closest to the solution. That’s why we partner with collectors and their families, rather than prescribe solutions for them. In our direct programming, we listen to their needs, assess challenges against responsible sourcing standards, and then co-design improvements so community leaders can lead the change themselves.
Our Commitment is Holistic and Long-Term
Our accompaniments are a long-term commitment, addressing the essential needs of an individual, a family, and the entire ‘First Mile’ ecosystem. Together, we build sustainable, community-led solutions that create lasting change by addressing root causes.
Our Model: A Foundation of Accompaniment
Our program is built on four core pillars that work together to create lasting change. We don't follow a rigid, linear process; instead, we provide holistic support that addresses the interconnected needs of individuals, their businesses, and the broader recycling ecosystem. LSentence talking about how we are listening through it all…
We Accompany Individuals and Their Families
Our first step is always to listen. We provide true wraparound support by accompanying individuals and their families to address the needs they identify as essential. This includes co-creating solutions for interconnected challenges like healthcare, education, and job training, ensuring a stable foundation for success.
We Invest in Collector-Owned Businesses
We walk alongside collectors to strengthen their livelihoods and improve productivity. We invest directly in their micro and small businesses, connecting them with the training, resources, and access to fair markets they need to build stable, dignified jobs that break the cycle of poverty for good.
We Connect the Supply Chain
A single business cannot succeed in isolation. We create a more just ecosystem by connecting businesses to collaborate across the supply chain, from individual collectors to small aggregators. This holistic approach allows for shared learning and accountability, improving responsible sourcing standards for everyone.
We Partner with Brands and Recyclers to Drive Change
We use our on-the-ground experience to partner with recyclers and brands, addressing the demand for ethically sourced materials and lifting industry standards. This hands-on experience allows us to advise brands, investors, and recyclers on creating ethical supply chains that are inclusive of all workers. Learn more about our Advisory Practice.
OUR COMMUNITIES
Our story began in Haiti. WORK was founded in the aftermath of the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2010, an event where 300,000 people perished and 1.5 million people became displaced. In the midst of providing emergency medical care, we encountered a deeper, underlying crisis: generational poverty. The families we met didn't want charity; they asked for dignified jobs. The chance to work, provide for their loved ones, and create a better future for their families.
The Challenge
In a nation grappling with a staggering 60% unemployment rate, we recognized that traditional job training and a good resume were not enough to overcome systemic barriers to employment. Families needed a direct path to a stable income.
Our Solution
We needed to be creative. Our solution was to develop and invest in small businesses that address a clear community need and could be successfully run by the families we serve. We provide the initial investment, business training, and ongoing mentorship to ensure each enterprise can thrive independently.
The Result
Our model is working. Families are graduating out of poverty by owning and managing their own businesses that provide a living income. As a result, children can complete their education, and families can look beyond daily survival towards a future of opportunity and achievement. This year, we are on track to invest in 64 new family-run businesses, proving that dignified work transforms lives for good.
In 2021, we embarked on a project to map and assess the waste material supply chain in Ghana. We identified a disjointed system where dedicated informal workers lacked connection and investment. Seeing an opportunity to apply our model, a number of local organizations and a baling facility invited WORK to form a partnership to improve dignity and income for these workers.
The Challenge
Through interviews with informal workers, we identified a critical challenge: a lack of transparency and traceability in the supply chain. This disconnect makes the crucial contributions of informal workers invisible, diminishing their voice, bargaining power, and ultimately, their income.
Our Solution
Co-designed with the workers themselves, our solution focuses on building the internal capacity of local collection centers. By strengthening these community hubs, we can provide stable demand for recycled materials, ensure fair and prompt payment, and create a more transparent system that values every worker's contribution.
The Result
This is our newest initiative, and we are actively working with our partners to implement these solutions. We are excited to share concrete results and stories of impact early next year. Check back for updates on our progress in Ghana!
Our work in Taiwan began in 2018 to support a crucial but often overlooked workforce: informal waste workers. In Taiwan, over 90% of municipal waste is managed by the government or volunteers. However, a small, dedicated group of informal collectors, mostly elderly and Aboriginal individuals, collect recyclables to meet essential needs for their families. Our focus is in Hualien County, a rural, scenic area where a lack of waste infrastructure struggles to keep up with tourism.
The Challenge
These dedicated collectors faced significant financial insecurity. Their income was dependent on the volatile, often plummeting market prices for recyclables, making it nearly impossible to earn a stable, livable income.
Our Solution
In partnership with local collection centers, we implemented a direct and simple solution. We placed a [$0.06 USD per pound] subsidy on plastic waste, guaranteeing a fair and stable price for the materials the collectors delivered.
The Result
The impact was immediate and profound. Collected plastic volumes doubled, preventing waste from polluting the beautiful local environment. More importantly, collectors are now earning an income that meets their essential needs, providing financial security and recognition for their hard work. [Add statistic on percentage income increase for collectors]
