Philanthropy

Generating opportunities by raising futures in Kenya

To break the cycle of poverty and inequality, Raising Futures Kenya works with vulnerable young people from marginalized communities to create rewarding futures. In 2022, a grant from the H.B. Fuller Company Foundation made it possible for the organization’s Seed of Hope program to support over 75 young people aged 14-25 with a free, comprehensive package of competency training alongside mental health and wellbeing support, including:

• Accredited technical vocational training course
• Business, financial literacy, and computer skills training
• Work placements and internships
• Unlimited counseling sessions
• Menstrual health hygiene packs and education
• Childcare and travel vouchers
• Mentorship from previous graduates

The Seed of Hope training and support program enables young people in Kenya, nearly 80% of whom are young women, to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to secure employment or start a small business. The goal is to create new opportunities and help participants become financially independent and self-reliant within six months, mitigating poverty and past trauma, and addressing mental health issues.

"I was not satisfied with the life I was living. I wanted to do vocational training so I could rely on these skills even in old age, but I could never afford it until I heard of the free courses at Seed of Hope. Leaving drugs behind, thanks to counseling, was a huge milestone for me, and with completing the course I am sure of a dignified future.’" – Seed of Hope graduate, 2022

Contributing to a support system for young women

Trafficking is not just a terrible thing that happens somewhere else. It happens here, there, and all around us, most often targeting young people who are experiencing poverty, family instability, and homelessness. That’s why H.B. Fuller is honored to support the work of 180 Degrees, a Minnesota nonprofit, through financial support and volunteer engagement.

In the U.S., youth of color are three times as likely to be homeless compared to their white peers. Additionally, the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs found recently that 69% of trafficking victims in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota were Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) compared to the overall population of the Twin Cities, where only 27% of individuals identify as BIPOC.

When Minnesota street outreach teams discover young women and girls in such situations, they are referred to 180 Degrees to receive medical services, access to counseling, physical safety, healthy nutrition, reengagement in school and hope. In 2021, 80% of sexually exploited youth the organization serves identified as BIPOC.

180 Degrees has achieved national recognition for its continuum of trauma responsive services and culturally appropriate care specific to the needs of youth victimized by sex trafficking. As part of their services, the organization launched Brittany’s Place in 2014, named after a young woman who grew up in St. Paul and was murdered in a sex trafficking incident. Brittany’s Place is Minnesota’s first and largest shelter and program for youth who are experiencing sex trafficking or at risk for sex trafficking.

(Em)bracing the next generation of STEM professionals

One way H.B. Fuller nurtures the next generation of scientists is through our support of Girls Inc. Eureka! at YWCA Minneapolis in the U.S. This unique program empowers girls to become future learners, leaders, and creators of change in STEM and beyond.

Nationwide, girls lack access to critical STEM classes in school and have limited to no access to after-school related programs. This gap can lead to significant disparities in academic, employment, and health outcomes that form early in life and deepen across the educational journey. To address this disparity, the Girls Inc. Eureka! program offers high-quality, culturally sensitive programming for girls in elementary through high school.

Those served by this program are primarily girls of color and those who live in low-income households. It kicks off with summer intensive sessions and leadership development programming, and continues with workshops throughout the year, including STEM lab sessions on diverse topics such as tissue engineering and neuro-biotechnology. Monthly programming focuses on STEM, leadership development, financial literacy, and learning to make healthy life decisions. Optional Girls Inc. programming is made available to participants, including workshops on auto mechanics, engineering, robotics, food technology, and college preparation.

Through their participation, girls build interest and confidence in STEM, improve their financial knowledge and skills, become community leaders, and are empowered about their bodies, health, and relationships.

“My involvement in Eureka! exposed me to many different areas of the STEM field and showed me that STEM is fun.”
– Gwen, Class of 2022