Social Entrepreneurship Examples in Community Development and Training the Disadvantaged(Quora)

This is my answer to What are good social innovation cases that enable people falling our of work life (new immigrants, handicapped, burned out etc.) into relevant jobs? which appears on Quora here:

Here are 8+ organizations which are notable in this space and which have been studied given their wide impact and impressive models for social change:

1. REDF is one of the biggest case studies internationally. They are located in SF in California.

Homepage

Here is a larger breakdown of REDF’s organization:
http://www.redf.org/who-we-fund/…
including Crysalis at Changelives.org : http://www.changelives.org/
2. Greystone Bakery http://www.greystonbakery.com/
3. Homeboy Industries http://www.homeboy-industries.org/
4. DC Central Kitchen http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/
5. Housing Works http://www.housingworks.org/
6. Goodwill (also called Goodwill Industries International)
http://www.goodwill.org/
7. Juma Ventures http://www.jumaventures.org/
8. Delancy Street Foundation http://www.delanceystreetfoundat…

[i believe 4 through 6 have all been copied to one extent or another in other locations–but I may be wrong]

Places to find other case studies for social innovation:
1. Duke University Social Entrepreneurship Case Studies:
http://www.caseatduke.org/knowle…
2. Case Place at the Aspen Institute http://www.caseplace.org/

I would guess the disabled, ex-cons, the homeless, and otherwise under-employable is probably one of the largest populations served in US based social enterprises (especially if you exclude green business and technology).
The direct increase in capacity, employment, and self-worth, especially among those who are disadvantaged (for whatever reason) is a hard model to argue with–especially given that many operate with a profit or very close (ie not as much dependent on external funding). The empowerment and employed (and more employable over the longer term) vs. unemployed, untrained, and dependent is also a compelling story when fundraising as well. A very compelling economic, ethical, and emotional case for supporting real people who deserve a chance.

My guess the field is made up of three types of organizations:

a) training + job placement in external orgs (as well as perhaps career advice/guidance)
b) training + a job in the organization itself
c) training + placement + a range of other mental health and social services (they may partner with another organization which already provides the mental health services so they can focus directly on training–as well as receive a flow of potential clients from the other social service organizations)