Impact Report
Brave New Ventures
As we reflect on 2024, a year of Brave New Ventures, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible journey we have walked together.
Our EMERGE program, officially launched in January 2025, provides experiential training in retail, customer service, merchandising, and inventory fulfillment. This hands-on learning equips women with vital hard skills, opening doors to meaningful employment opportunities and greater economic stability These skills are not just tools, they are stepping stones to brighter futures. And through it all, God has used YOU to pave the road for their journey towards hope and renewal.
This year has also been a season of discernment for BraveWorks, as we have sought God’s will for our next chapter In His perfect timing, we have celebrated the faithful service of a leader transitioning to new opportunities while welcoming the fresh vision and energy of a new leader stepping into this role. Through these transitions, we have seen God’s hand guiding our mission and reminding us of His steadfast presence
We invite you to reflect on the following pages, which tell the stories of transformation made possible by your partnership. Every woman’s journey, every brave step forward, and every milestone reached is a testament to the collective impact of this community. Together, we are catalysts for God-inspired transformation, enabling women to rewrite their stories with hope, dignity, and purpose
As we look toward 2025, we are more inspired than ever by the courage of the women we serve, the faithfulness of our supporters, and the boundless opportunities to extend God’s love. Thank you for walking alongside us in this mission. We invite you to continue on this journey with us praying, giving, and cheering for the brave new ventures ahead
Chuck Cooper, 2025 Board of Directors Chair
Our Vision Our Mission
To be a catalyst for God-inspired transformation through artisan enterprise, leading to abundant & purposeful lives.
To empower women & families overcoming trauma & injustice, bridging the gap from pain to purpose through impactful connections, inspired creations & economic confidence.
Problem
Women overcoming trauma and injustice need access to healing communities and robust opportunities
Solution
Healing and empowerment through impactful connections, inspired creations & economic confidence
Impact
Empowered women live abundant and purposeful lives as confident contributors to society equipped with resources and a diverse community of support
Transformational Journeys
Belonging Integrity
The Local Artisan Journey
PHASE 1
CTEH Earn Train Connect
We pay our artisans fair market wage up front for their products and time. Our artisans, and ultimately their families, gain access to the economic ladder and expand their self-efficacy.
We further workforce development in our communities by helping our artisans develop transferable soft skills, hard skills, and life skills to empower them and develop self-esteem post-trauma.
We make relational connections and help artisans expand their social capital Our artisans emerge back into society with confidence, a supportive community, and connections to resources including employers, distribution channels, other agencies, and more.
Heal
Trauma impacts cognitive functioning as well as emotional/mental health We connect artisans with a licensed therapist, mentors, and mental health providers to help them heal holistically, with a trauma-informed approach.
The Local Artisan Journey PHASE
E M E R G E
2
Economic Mobility + Experiential Training
Resulting in Growth and Employment
Our new EMERGE Program provides economic mobility through experiential training in retail, customer service, merchandising, and inventory fulfillment. Women in our EMERGE program will graduate with important hard skills training, leading to increased employment opportunities.
We are thrilled to partner with Lowe’s and Harris Teeter as our founding EMERGE employment partners.
YOUR IMPACT
890+ 60+
112
781 Artisans Served
Local Artisans Served
Global Artisans Served
Local & Global Partners
$90K+ In Economic Empowerment Directly To Artisans
Local Artisan Demographics Artisan Goals
Our 12-week core curriculum includes guidance and training in emotional/mental wellbeing, building healthy community, soft and hard skills training, financial literacy, budgeting, and English Language Development In addition, artisans can set individual goals around employment, education, housing, and maintaining sobriety We are proud of our artisans’ success rate in each of these areas.
Employment
100% 83%
Housing
Education 100% 100%
Sobriety
GLOBAL IMPACT
9+ Countries
Impacted For Good
Communities
Impacted For Good
Families
Impacted For Good
Scan
PARTNERSHIP
LOCATIONS
FINANCIAL IMPACT
A $3,000 donation can either support one woman locally through our program or empower 10 women in our global initiatives, facilitating transformation through healing, training, connection, and empowerment. Product sales contribute 26% to our total revenue, offering purposeful employment integral to our model The remaining 74% from donors, partners, and supporters like you enables us to deliver comprehensive programming for sustainable, enduring impact Thank you for joining us in this critical work.
WE BELIEVE IN FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY.
EXPENSES
Board of Directors
ChuckCooper,BoardChair WhitewaterConsulting
ScottMcMahon,BoardViceChair ParkNationalBank
AllisonBarry
ParkerPoeAdams&BernsteinLLP
AmyJacobs CommunityLeader
BethBell ExecutiveDirector,ExOfficio
ColleenHart CornerstoneMedical
DanaPowell FirstHorizonBank
DawnCordero CorderoHandcraftedLighting
DesireePartin TruistBank
GabrielleCook ElevationChurch
KenDeHart NewSouthWealthManagement
LesleyChilders ConnectingtoChrist
MalobiAchike DEIDirective
MelissaVernon WellsFargo
MichelleTillman-Cureton TransitionalPathways PLLC
MikiKamijyo AsanaPartners
OlaAdegbesote Citibank
RhettPostal FirstNationalBank
ScottMcMahon ParkNationalBank
TammyFanning Continental
TashaWilliamson NCWorks
TiffanyVandemark WorkHorseMarketingAgency
Board of Advisors
Ale Naranjo-Myrick
Amber Morris
Ashley Collie
Barbara Peacock
Blair Farris
Brenda Livingston
Brett Ryan
Brian Boyles
Cathy Armstrong
Cathy Grammer
Celestin Musekura
Christabel Corazza
Court Young
Denice Von-Gnechten
Denise Ratchford
Elizabeth Poplin
Emily Cockroft
Eric Bernier
Erin Diehl
Greg Brown
Jessica Martin
Kalie Koivisto
Karen Green
Kate Rech
Kim Alexander
Kristen Guarnieri-Battaglia
Laura Swisher
Laura Burt
Leilane Preuss
Leti Padilla-Morales
Linda Sittema
Lisa Farley
Michele Dudley
Michelle Buelow
Millette Granville
Mindy Jones
Monika Marshall
Rick Ramirez
Sherry Waters
Virgina LaFar
William Ward
Yetty Akinyelu
As we begin a new year, we are excited to share our Brave New Ventures which include the launch of our EMERGE program to expand workforce development. In addition, we are thrilled to welcome new leadership to BraveWorks to take us into our next phase of growth and transformation!
This work would not be possible without YOUR support, and we are forever grateful.
MAJOR DONORS
