2 0 1 7 I M PAC T R E P O RT
D E S I G N I N G H E R S T O R Y: In 2017, Akola helped design a story for 531 women in Uganda and Dallas through economic empowerment and social programs.
UGANDA | DALLAS
THEORY OF CHANGE S T E P 1: E CO N O M I C E M P O W E R M E N T In an effort to ensure that women have the ability to meet their basic needs and those of their children, Akola offers vocational training, dependable work opportunity, and financial inclusion.
S T E P 2: R E S TO R AT I O N O F H O P E Women facilitate peer-led programs such as peer support groups, wellness trainings and monthly forums. As a result, women have support in times of crisis and their voices are heard and valued.
S T E P 3: AG E N T S O F T R A N S F O R MAT I O N Through goal setting and educational programs, women have the ability to implement desired change in their families and community. Akola women are starting businesses, running for local office, opening schools and educating their communities.
PROGRAM SUCCESS STORIES
REYNA SANCHEZ,
T I T O TA P P Y,
Akola West Dallas M ember
Fu l l Ti m e J e we l r y As s e m b l e r
Reyna Sanchez was brought to Akola through Advocates of C o m m u n i t y Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n . S h e h a d b e e n s e e k i n g a h i g h e r income opportunity to support her family and further her education.
A k o l a w a s Ta p p y ’s f i r s t o p p o r t u n i t y t o e a r n i n c o m e i n h e r life. She struggled to support her four children, but after starting at Akola, her family saw significant improvements in their lifestyle.
R e y n a d r e a m s o f s t a r t i n g h e r o w n f a m i l y b u s i n e s s o n e d a y. A s o n e o f A k o l a ’s n e w e s t o f f i c e r s , R e y n a h o p e s t o i m p r o v e her interpersonal skills and become a strong leader w i t h i n t h e A k o l a c o m m u n i t y. I n h o n i n g h e r s t r e n g t h s t o better assist the women, Reyna is learning a variety of leadership skills that she can carry with her throughout h e r p r o f e s s i o n a l c a r e e r.
Now as a full-time salary earner and a participant in Akol a ’s f i n a n c e a n d g o a l - s e t t i n g p r o g r a m s , Ta p p y w a s a b l e t o s a v e h e r i n c o m e a n d b u i l d a n e w h o m e f o r h e r f a m i l y. T h r o u g h p r a y e r a n d h a r d w o r k , Ta p p y a n d h e r f a m i l y n o w live in a brick home with a roof and electricity – a true luxury in her village!
Since starting at Akola, Reyna has shined both personally a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l y. N o w a p a r t o f A k o l a ’s o f f i c e r p r o g r a m , Reyna is empowering other Akola women to recognize their potential for success.
Ta p p y f e e l s b l e s s e d a n d n o w h a s h o p e f o r h e r f u t u r e . S h e h a s g o a l s f o r h e r s e l f a n d f o r h e r f a m i l y, a n d A k o l a i s c o m m i t t e d t o e m p o w e r i n g h e r.
I M PAC T OV E RV I E W I N 2 0 1 7 , A K O L A I M PA C T E D Over
500
Women +
4,000
Children and Dependents
U G A N DA
DA L L A S
Since 2007, Akola has worked in rural villages in Northern and Eastern Uganda with women who have survived 20 years of civil war and those who have been affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Akola Uganda is fully led by the Akola women who are empowered to be agents of transformation in their communities. Women in Uganda have access to a full suite of holistic social programming.
Since 2014, Akola Dallas has partnered with local nonprofits who refer women to Akola’s vocational training and flexible work program. We offer work through our jewelry assembly program and distribution center, which serves as a second-chance job program and provides women with a living wage. In 2016, Akola Dallas transitioned from a pilot program to a stage one program in Akola’s theory of change.
7
Ugandan Villages
9
3
Vocational Centers
4
Production Sites
Savings Groups
18
2
Retail Locations
Retail Jobs
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT M O R E T H A N $ 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 I N WA G E S W E R E D I S T R I B U T E D TO W O M E N I N D A L L A S A N D U G A N D A I N 2 0 1 7
2017 U G A N DA P R O G R A M H I G H L I G H T S
2017 DA L L A S PA R T N E R S H I P H I G H L I G H T S
The Akola team leads peer-led and participatory programming
Through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations such as
for Akola members in Uganda each year known as Akola
Buckner International and the Dallas Housing Authority, many
Academy. 2017 programs included the following:
of the Akola women utilized the following social services:
- Village Savings and Loans Association
- Education Programs (GED, ESL)
- Village Fellowship
- Financial Literacy (Savings, Banking)
- Wellness and Counseling Programs
- Spiritual Development
- Medical Assistance Program
- Child and Youth Development
- Technical Skills Workshops
- Family Coaching
- Goal Setting and Strategic Planning
- Counseling
- Community Change Programs
- Food Pantry
SOCIAL BUSINESS SNAPSHOT A VEHICLE FOR WOMEN IN POVERTY TO EARN AN INCOME N AT I O N A L R E TA I L E R ACCO U N T S A KO L A F O R
A KO L A F O R
A KO L A F O R
Since 2016, Akola has designed an
In October 2017, Akola’s
2017 also welcomed the launch of
exclusive prodcut line which retails
Founder and CEO Brittany Merrill
new Akola homegoods products
in every Neiman Marcus store,
Underwood appeared on the
exclusive for Wisteria. The products
online and in catelogs. In 2017,
Home Shopping Network to
feature hand-woven textiles, horn
Akola launched a new product line
showcase and sell Akola Jewlery
vases, and other natural resources
designed by world famous designer
to HSN customers.
from Ugandan villages.
Guy Bedarida.
A KO L A’S R E TA I L LO C AT I O N S
REVEUNE BREAKDOWN
SNIDER PLAZA Since 2016, Akola’s Flagship Store Location
National Retailers
has been located in Snider Plaza in Dallas,
Boutiques
TX. Host an event in the space or visit the
Akola Stores
Snider Plaza store Monday - Saturday from
eCommerce
10a - 6p.
Donations
NORTHPARK CENTER Through a generous in-kind partnership, Akola opened a pop up location at NorthPark Center in October 2017 is set to remain open until Summer 2018. The store provided retail job opportunties to 18 Akola
2 0 1 7 R E V E U N E T O TA L E D : $ 2 , 5 5 7 , 0 4 4 PA P E R B E A D S R O L L E D : 5 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 / Y E A R YOY SALES GROW TH (SINCE 2016): 30%
Dallas women in 2017!
“We saw how they were growing their model to help women and families in our own backyard. They are changing the trajectory of these families’ lives, and it’s really empowering to see these women have such ownership and pride in what they’re doing.” G I L L I A N B R E I D E N BAC H , BA N K O F A M E R I CA S E N I O R V I C E P R E S I D E N T
IN THE NEWS
Full Page Magazine Spread on Neiman Marcus collaboration with designer, Guy Bedarida
June 2017
November 2017
“‘A storied retailer partners
Brittany Underwood tells Akola’s
with a brand that won’t ever
story for Cadillac’s Shaping DFW
make a dollar.”
video series produced by WFAA.
Founder Featured as 1 of the World’s 10 Top CEOs
March 2017
Online Feature on Akola’s plans following its success at United Way GroundFloor’s OneUp the Pitch contest
“Underwood is a clear example
April 2017
of a servant leader practicing
“Dallas social enterprise Akola
conscious capitalism to
Project is preparing for expansion
transform the lives of women
after securing the top prize of
and families.”
$75,000 at the United Way GroundFloor’s OneUp the Pitch contest.”
Akola finds success as a non-profit brand committed to its mission
November 2017 “This female founder skips the traditional for-profit model for her brand and it works.”
November 2017 Akola was selected to participate in Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builder’s Program and will receive $200,000 in fleixble funding for local development and leadership training.
E M P O W E R T H E N E X T A KO L A W O M A N TO DAY ! 2017 was a year of transformative impact at Akola. With more exciting things to come in 2018, please consider partnering with Akola as we find innovative solutions to break the cycle of poverty for women and empower them to become agents of transformation in their communities. Donate Today! w w w. a k o l a p ro j e c t . o rg Akola Headquarters 2111 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75201 Email: development@akolaproject.org