Every purchase empowers women transitioning out of homelessness

MADE by DWC

Founded in 2011, MADE by DWC is a purpose-driven social enterprise with the goal of empowering women in Los Angeles to break the cycle of chronic homelessness through employment. 

Download a PDF of our program flyer here!

Shop

MADE by DWC’s Home & Gift Collection is created by formerly homeless women employed in our job-training program. The signature collection includes all-natural, hand-poured soaps, soy candles, and bath salts, as well as cards and journals featuring personal artwork. In addition to the products sold online, MADE by DWC has two brick-and-mortar stores in downtown Los Angeles, where participants receive intensive job training and transitional employment opportunities within product and retail environments:

100% of proceeds from purchases at MADE by DWC help fund career training and mentorship programs, and change lives by providing hands-on training to end homelessness. Items are also sold at retailers across Los Angeles like Raven & LilyThe Little MarketLA Original, and Ten Thousand Villages.

LA:Rise

Our Transitional Jobs program is funded through the City and County of Los Angeles’ Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE). The program creates opportunities for women to earn an income while gaining skills through hands-on training and workshops. This innovative approach provides a supportive environment for women transitioning out of homelessness and into competitive employment, with one year of support post-job placement to ensure retention.

IMPACT IN 2020

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women supported with job training
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products created
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training hours to-date provided to 120 women

“I’ve learned to be confident enough in myself that I am able to handle the responsibilities that I have been given. I now have transferable skills needed to obtain a position in management, in leadership, or as a trainer in retail operations. My goal is to become an entrepreneur within the next two years and to provide employment and training opportunities for those who have barriers that prevent them from obtaining employment.”

STEPHANIE, A RETAIL ASSOCIATE AT MADE BY DWC

Program Spotlight

In October 2019, MADE by DWC launched a successful rebrand of its signature Home & Gift Collection. The re-brand added a pop of color and a new, streamlined aesthetic to its line of soaps, soy candles, and bath salts, as well as a variety of special California-inspired scents like Lady Bird Groove, Santa Cruise, Joshua Tea, Big Sir, Mojave Dessert, and Nap Valley. The re-brand was ushered in at our 2019 “Dinner With a Cause” Gala with nearly 550 attendees, including emcee Natasha Rothwell of HBO’s hit series Insecure.