The Doe Fund
The Doe Fund
Mission Statement
The Doe Fund's mission is to develop and implement cost-effective, holistic programs that meet the needs of a diverse population working to break the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and criminal recidivism. All of The Doe Fund's programs and innovative business ventures ultimately strive to help homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals achieve permanent self-sufficiency.
Programs
Founded in 1985, The Doe Fund works to develop innovative programs to empower formerly homeless and low-income individuals. Our award-winning Ready, Willing & Able program was created in 1990, based on the premise that work works and inspired by the notion that helping the homeless is more than just a handout. Our program participants are paid an hourly wage for providing their valuable street cleaning services. With more than 3,000 graduates since the program’s inception, we know that a real opportunity is more effective than temporary assistance such as a hot meal or a bed to sleep in for a night. Since Ready, Willing & Able’s inception, The Doe Fund’s programs have greatly expanded to include services for individuals with HIV and AIDS, a number of permanent affordable housing projects and a new criminal justice program.
How you can help
Corporate Social Responsibility & Engagement
The Doe Fund is pleased to welcome corporate partners to help advance our mission to end homelessness through paid work opportunities that make New York City a cleaner and more humane city. Interested companies can work with The Doe Fund and our hard-working “men in blue” in many ways, such as group volunteering at our facilities, hosting workshops on various topics, suit and laptop drives and through direct programmatic support.
Individual Volunteers
We have a range of volunteer opportunities available including professional development and mentoring, tutoring, and fundraising/friend-raising.
Leadership Alliance
The Leadership Alliance is a mentoring/learning-service project which unites men and women from the greater metropolitan area with Doe Fund clients in activities and discussions that empower and engage participants and the world around them. The Leadership Alliance aims to be a positive social support network and increase clients’ employability and sense of self-worth by developing trusting relationships that nurture positive decisions and self discovery through active participation in service experiences.
Provide a Career
One of the most valuable contributions a company can provide for a Ready, Willing & Able graduate is a paid job. Toward the end of our year-long program, our Career Services Specialists work one-on-one with employers to identify qualified program graduates for full-time jobs. Our graduates have secured employment in mailrooms, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and institutions throughout New York City, and typical jobs include pest control technicians, porters, drivers, maintenance specialists, chefs, and other food service positions.
