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April 23, 2007
Starting a Small Business Can Be Great Therapy
The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation (OTEF) posted an article about a pilot program for their organization where they helped a group of women staying at a safe house for recovering victims of domestic violence start a new business. According to their website, OTEF is an organization that helps "at-risk youth and adults improve their lives by creating and growing entrepreneurial ventures."
What I found interesting from their pilot program is the effect that the experience had on the participants. From their blog:
What's new is how the women in the program feel about having created something among themselves. In the three months of delivering the progam, I have noticed that only one woman of all the participants has relapsed. The rest have gone from a group of depressed, down-on-their-luck victims to a room full of attractive, vibrant, potential entrepreneurs.THEY (not me) attribute a lot of their recovery to being involved in the program and being able to create something -- a business.
I've always felt that growing and starting a business can have a positive impact on people mentally. Starting a new business brings about so much satisfaction and growth (as is the case with most things that are difficult and take effort). I was excited to read about what OTEF has been doing and I'm certain that it will be a positive experience for all those involved. I hope that other cities will have similar programs to help people get on their feet.
Visit the OTEF Website to read more about the program.
Posted by Jon at April 23, 2007 11:30 AM
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Comments
I know it can. That's why I started the Foundation. I was a foster mom, and my former foster children are trapped in low wage, dead end jobs. But I've been teaching them entrepreneurship skills for years, and it gives them a sense of empowerment.
Posted by: francine hardaway at April 23, 2007 12:43 PM