NEWS PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Donna Davis

ddavis@sobro.org / 718.732.7524 SoBRO Empowers Young Adults with Social Enterprise The SoBRONX Print Shop April 15, 2015, Bronx, NY The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO) is proud to announce the launch of an innovative, evidenced-based social enterprise for young adults in New York City. The model builds on SoBROs nationally recognized Transformation Academy and serves disconnected and formerly incarcerated young adults aged 15-24. The social enterprise the first of three that SoBRO plans to announce in the late spring integrates entrepreneurial best practices, a 20-week leadership development seminar, the benefits of a worker cooperative business model, and employee profit sharing.

The first enterprise, The SoBRONX Print Shop, is a full service screen printing company specializing in customized silk screening located at the SoBRO Venture Center, the first business incubator in the Bronx. Young Executives have completed rigorous academic requirements, written a full business plan, have been instructed in industry best practices, and will participate in an executive mentoring program. This opportunity enables the young adults we serve that ordinarily have limited options with a viable, lucrative, entrepreneurial career track, states Johanna DeJesus, Senior Vice President of Education &Career Development. The innovative model is the result of a joint program between SoBROs Departments of Education & Career Development and Community & Economic Development. The model bridges a historic gap in providing young adults with a comprehensive education, and connecting them with career oriented opportunities that help young adults become self-sufficient while contributing to the economic development of the area, noted Phillip Morrow, President and CEO.

The SoBRONX Print Shop has already started taking orders for the spring season, and is poised to unveil its corporate model at the New York City Green Festival at the Jacob Javits Center during the weekend of April 23rd-25th. The Green Festival is Americas largest and longest-running sustainability and green living event. The festival is a marketplace where companies and organizations can showcase their commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility - it is a great opportunity for us to launch our brand, stated Donte Wright, a Young Executive with the SoBRONX Print Shop. The public can register for a Referral Ticket using SoBROs Promo Code (XNY15LRCR) to get a discounted $10.00 day pass.

The Transformation Academy serves young adults aged 16-24 that are out-of-work, out-of-school, and may have previous involvement in the criminal justice system. Participants must enroll SoBROs High School Equivalency (formerly GED) preparation course, learn construction skills through real-world projects, and receive social services to address personal barriers to success.

The SoBRONX Print Shop resulted from a series of entrepreneurial development workshops, funded by the Starbucks Foundation, that was introduced into the program in 2014. The workshops explored topics such as personal and business money management as well as the creation of a comprehensive business plan within a business cohort. The participants finalized two business plans: one for a screen-printing company, and the other for a hydroponic rooftop farm, funded by News Corp. The cohort has been mentored by area screen printers and received in-depth training to produce a quality, mission-driven product.

To learn more about the SoBRONX Print Shop, SoBROs Transformation Academy, or the New York City Green Festival, please contact Donna Davis at ddavis@sobro.org or 718-732-7524.

_________________________________________ About SoBRO The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO), is a not-for-profit community organization that has been serving the Bronx since 1972. SoBROs programs include adult education, workforce training, real estate and community development, technical and financial assistance for businesses, and an array of programs for youth and adults. SoBRO was established in 1972 to reverse the flight of businesses and jobs from the South Bronx. Recognizing that rebuilding a community had to be a multifaceted effort which required replacing vacant lots with businesses and housing, addressing poverty by creating jobs and training people for those jobs, and insuring a brighter future for the communitys young people SoBROs programming has expanded over the years to meet the growing needs of this Bronx community. SoBROs menu of services includes:

Programs for youth that combine academic skills and work readiness training with leadership development activities while exposing them to new ideas and possibilities;

Job training, basic education, and placement services that prepare low-income, unemployed and underemployed individuals for the workforce and provide additional services like financial literacy training to help them become self-sufficient;

Creation of high quality, attractive affordable housing for low and moderate income families and supportive housing for individuals with special needs;

Assisting small businesses to grow and prosper, fostering the creation of job opportunities and increasing investment in the community;

Commercial revitalization that helps to attract business to commercial corridors and encourages businesses to relocate to or remain in the Bronx; and

Urban planning and sustainability initiatives that address environmental and health concerns of the 21st Century. For additional information about SoBRO, call 718 292-3113 or visit www.sobro.org