Highlights from our fundraising, events, and business successes that have forwarded our mission to advance economic stability by creating quality jobs for the people who need them most.
Our LiftWorksTM Program provides job training, leadership training, and career development for people overcoming barriers to employment at the Ben Arkes LiftTM Center in Chicago.
In total, the Program has provided 105,083 hours of work, and onboarded 171 associates from employment partners from 36 different communities in Chicago, including North Lawndale, West Garfield Park, and Woodlawn.
We continue to provide top-tier, sector-based occupational skills training in manufacturing and warehousing/logistics, as well as executive function skills development to LiftTM Program associate.
At the start of the year, we partnered with two new employment partners and onboarded affiliate associates from StreetWise’s S.T.E.P. to Employment program and Heartland Alliance’s SEED.
In October, we hired a new full-time team member who came to the LiftWorks™ Program through SEED. He began his training in the Ben Arkes LiftTM Center, working on our LiftTM line of bath & spa goods, but quickly moved into our warehouse and fulfillment department, where he thrives.
The LiftWorks™ Program is now home to a computer lab, where computer skills are a critical part of the career development training in the Program. Using those skills, LiftWorks™ Program affiliate associates participated in a series of educational workshops geared towards financial literacy, resume building, and mock interviews.
We are always striving to offer new educational and skillsbuilding opportunities to our program associates. With this mind, HHPLift team members attended a week-long Make_X workshop at the FabLab at the Museum of Science and Industry last year.
An important component of the program and takeaway from this class was developing a “grid system” for LiftTM Program affiliate associates. This system breaks down all the steps of production at the Workshop into tiered levels of progress. Using the stages of development built into the grid, LiftWorks™ Program affiliate associates can move through “belt” levels of mastery -- similar to those use in martial arts. It is our hope to have all LiftWorks™ Program affiliate associates move through all the levels during their time the workshop, and receive a certification in the areas they have mastered.
An added benefit of participating in the Make_X workshop is the long-term loan of machinery from the museum. This year, we will be receiving a laser etching machine, and use the newly learned grid method to help associates excel at its usage
We are excited to continue growing the LiftWorks™ Program in 2023.
In 2022, we worked with Black Dog, a classic, East Coast tavern and clothing company, branding their logo on our netting bags. Sustainably made, unique, and fashionable bags handcrafted by Cambodian artisans that beautifully complement Black Dog’s brand and showcase their signature logo.
We are also excited to share that we were able to showcase our Lift™ candles in partnership with the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA). We customized bands for our 8.5 oz. soy candles to help showcase the art in DIA’s Van Gogh exhibit, the largest exhibition of the artist’s work ever shown in the US.
The DIA is regarded as among the top six museums in the United States, and they have one of the largest and most significant art collections in the in the country, with over 100 galleries. It is also is among the top five encyclopedic art museums in the United States, with a world-class collection of 65,000 objects that explore history and culture that can’t be found in books, television, or on the internet.
HHPLift is proud to work with our fulfillment partners on 3rd Party Logistics projects. One of our fulfillment partners, ZSwag, expanded with increased projects from existing and new clients. Our revised and growing fulfillment team was able to aggressively handle the variety of items in all shapes and sizes.
HHPLift is the pioneer and industry innovator in sourcing social impact products for business solutions, and can offer high quality, memorable products that reflect positively on a company’s values and mission.
Since 2021, one of the end users of our products was a maker of luxury dental floss and toothbrushes. They were seeking a water-resistant, socially conscious way to package their new “Travel Jet Set” kit that includes floss and toothpaste.
The solution was an HHPLift custom zippered portfolio, handmade from repurposed industrial net. The kits sold out quickly, and more were reordered in 2022.
We also supplied 10,000 custom bicycle spoke bowls for a large anniversary program, through OC Tanner. Their customer was celebrating 125 years in operation, and needed a memorable gift for their employees.
The bowls were handmade in Sri Lanka, and provide the artisans with healthcare, education, clean water, profit sharing, and capacity building initiatives.
Their customer was thrilled with the bowl, including the packaging in a branded, draw-string bag.
This large and successful project strengthened our connections and reputation within the incentives marketplace, and helped us to garner new accounts.
custom zippered portfolio made from repurposed materials
custom bicycle spoke bowl
HHPLift delivers consistent, high-quality, brandable social impact products that lift the planet, and the artisans who make them.
This year, we were able tie our promotional products and our LiftWorksTM Program together.
Open Door Advisors is a trusted consulting company that supports leaders and organizations seeking new levels of growth, impact, and change.
One of their clients is Cara, which is also one of our employment partners for the LiftWorksTM Program. We have many current affiliates associates and graduates of the LiftWorks™ Program who came to us from Cara.
Open Door Advisors hosted a retreat for Cara managers, and asked HHPLift to provide the gift item: a branded candle handmade by LiftWorks™ Program affiliate associates.
The full-circle engagement of our Program, our clients, and our products was a win for all.
We are always excited when customers come back year after year for our social impact products. Since 2020, we have been supplying the Shopper Tote to an international investing firm that has chosen new colors every year, and plans to order again in 2023.
Another exciting order was for an internationally renowned law firm seeking a stylish and socially responsible employee gift.
They selected our Grace sling bag/fanny pack, embroidered and sustainably handmade in Cambodia from repurposed industrial netting.
CUSTOM CANDLE
CUSTOM SHOPPER TOTE
CUSTOM SLING BAG
Last spring, we designed the Together with Ukraine candle and hand sanitizer. With every order of the Together with Ukraine collection, we donated soaps and candles to Ukrainians in need.
The candles, sanitizers, and soaps were handmade by LiftWorks™ Program affiliate associates who have faced previous obstacles to fair-wage employment.
The logistics were provided by our amazing partner, BStrong, an organization founded by Bethany Frankel, that provides emergency assistance to people in crisis.
HHPLift held a dedication ceremony for Ben Arkes, father of HHPLift’s founder, Michael Arkes, who passed away. He inspired us with his lifelong devotion to helping others, and constant belief in the HHPLift mission. On what would have been Ben’s 100th birthday, February 22nd, we gathered family, work family, and friends together to dedicate our expanded space, now the Ben Arkes LiftTM Center, in his memory.
In May of 2022, Jim Wersching, our VP of Sales, unexpectedly passed away. Jim was passionate, kind, larger than life, and truly believed in the mission of HHPLift. He wanted HHPLift to reach new heights of success and impact. He was more than a coworker, but a friend, mentor, and sounding board. He cared deeply and personally about HHPLift and every member of the HHPLift team. Jim’s presence is missed more than we can express.
Last year, we dedicated our 5k Race to Spark Change to Jim, and all proceeds supported the Ben Arkes Lift™ Center, and its mission to break the cycle of poverty for people in disinvested and underserved communities in and around Chicago. We are proud to say that we raised approximately $32,000. Thank you to our sponsor, Magellan, for their generosity and participation.
For the first time since 2019, and for the first time since expanding our Workshop space, we held our holiday market fundraiser in person. It was special to be surrounded by our network, in person, to close out the year. We held our holiday market of our discounted merchandise, a silent auction, and a soap making demonstration. Thank you to all of our silent auction donors.
OUR SILENT AUCTION DONORS
Alaska Fresh
Bernina of Naperville
Blommer Chocolate
The Blue Gate
Brat Stop, Inc
Monique Tranchevent
The Club Lago
Bernina of Naperville
The Fairmont Hotel
Fairytale Brownies
Gibsons
Gotham Bagels Chicago
Hyatt Hotels
Incentive Concepts
J. Alexander’s
Joffrey Ballet
Koval
Lettuce Entertain You
The Morton Arboretum
Roost
Seiko Watch of America
South Point Hotel Casino & Spa
Sue Rosengard Jewelry Design
Tweet Restaurant
Vanille Patisserie
The Vida Ambassador
Chicago White Sox
Yard House
Yip Fitness
We partnered with Twist Out Cancer, an international nonprofit that provides psychosocial support to individuals touched by cancer through creative arts programming. Through its Brushes with Cancer program, artists are paired with people touched by cancer. Together, through creative art therapy, they create unique pieces of artwork reflective of their journeys.
HHPLift’s Twist Out Cancer collection includes six unique designs inspired by three women’s breast cancer survival stories. “Kelly” by Joy Misu Ulrich, inspired by Kelly Cantrell. “Shannon” by Mike Harrell, inspired by Shannon Smith. “Tulips” by Anna Feneis, inspired by Mardi Kaplan. 30% of sales from the Twist Out Cancer collection is donated back to Twist Out Cancer.
The Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing funding for ovarian cancer research as well as child literacy, causes important to Amy Krouse Rosenthal. HHPLift donates 30% of consumer sales of the AKR Collection of spa goods to The Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation. All are handmade by LiftWorks™ Program affiliate associates
“Cat Lady” is a term used to transfer shame onto women who challenge traditional values. Which is exactly why HHPLift partnered with The Cat Women Project to playfully subvert this sexist stereotype. A percentage of proceeds from Cat Lady products are donated to My Block, My Hood, My City.
Portraits of women throughout the history of art have traditionally honored purity, innocence, or attachment to powerful men. Artist Brooke Hummer has appropriated classic painting styles to create a project that instead celebrates the independence and power of our strong, single sisters (and their cats).
This ongoing partnership is a great example of how HHPLift products can add more purpose to any project. And, the Cat Lady soaps continue to be one of our most popular bath and spa items.
The LiftWorks™ Program provided work for residents in 36 Chicago neighborhoods including North Lawndale, West Garfield Park, and Woodlawn, and eight communities outside Chicago. The number of areas served has more than doubled since 2018.
LIVES TRANSFORMING: Full-time, part-time, and affiliate associates provided employment opportunities with many coming from one of seven workforce development programs in Chicago. This is over four times the total of our staff who have had employment opportunities at HHPLift.
117,333
Hours of work.
associates on a career
Of LiftWorksTM Program hires in management positions
6,532 Healthy meals and provisions
Of full-time hires were from the LiftWorksTM Program
We want to know like-minded, philanthropic people like you! If you live in the Chicagoland area, have local offices here, or are in town visiting, seeing the Ben Arkes LiftTM Center in action is a great first step. Let us arrange a tour of the space for yourself, family, or your organization’s CSR or HR manager. See first-hand the impact you can make by choosing HHPLift.
Another great way to connect is planning an event in the Ben Arkes LiftTM Center. We can host BYOB candle or soap making parties for individual groups and corporations, and add a tour or shopping event to your existing work/travel itinerary.
This is simple. We are an organization that believes real change is possible. We can and are transforming lives everyday, operating a socially impactful workforce, and offering products with a purpose. Consider adding a yearly donation to your budget. Know that your generosity will create even greater returns. It’s easy to donate online, or reach out to us to discuss giving options.
Choose our chic bags and totes for holiday, birthday, or teacher gifts. Offer our brandable candles as a corporate giveaway. Create outreach, rewards, or recognition kits with our fair trade coffee, tea, and granola. Whatever works best for you, HHPLift wants to be top of mind. We are the pioneer and leader in producing and sourcing high-quality, social impact products for any occasion. Choosing HHPLift means choosing the Power of Purpose.
