Summary
Organization name
Yobel International
2010
Tax id (EIN)
27-1736236
Category
Community Improvement & Capacity Building
Address
27 South Sierra Madre StreetColorado Springs, CO 80903
El Paso County, CO, US
Yobel International exists to provide business training to communities in extreme poverty and to raise up entrepreneurs who will transform their communities' fate through entrepreneurship. Yobel provides training in basic economics, budgeting, quality control, marketing, and other essential skills that are required for businesses to succeed. It is this model that has impacted hundreds of Yobel's friends around the globe as they exit systems of injustice, oppression, and poverty through dignified work opportunities.
Testimonials
"I want to thank all those who are a part of Yobel in any other way for the great support you are giving to see the world be a better place" - Odong Denis, Canaan Farm, Uganda
"If we can get into these places with the Business Training I believe that it will help to make communities less vulnerable to Human Trafficking"- Maren Chettri, Director of Counter-Trafficking NGO
"My husband said I was too old to learn to do something new, but I told him that I would have the best dressed family in the colonia" - Elvira, Tailoring Project- Juarez, Mexico
"First we didn't know anything about business, but now we have learned many things. We have developed trust in ourselves. From this training I am very encouraged and now I know I can open my own business. We can face obstacles with full determination. We can do anything." - Pakistani Woman, Gilgit Pakistan
Mission
Yobel International facilitates business training, mentorship and development globally, empowering others to create change in their own lives, releasing them from unjust labor and poverty while engaging and educating our local community in justice issues.
Background Statement
Yobel was co-founded in June of 2008 by Sarah Ray & Donavan Kennedy. The two had both travelled within multiple nations of the developing world and had a deep desire to see sustainable development impact the lives of those whom they met in those places.
Upon their return to the United States, the two were connected and shared their mutual hope of seeing lives changed through empowerment and equitable trade. They decided to go into business together shortly after and sent a micro-grant to a community of displaced Acholi's in Northern Uganda to fund a bamboo jewelry business.
A month later, the two were setting up their fairly produced wares in local farmer's markets, homes, and civics clubs - telling the story of how ethical business development and access to global markets could set people free from poverty and ultimately transform communities.
2 years later the social enterprise was able to expand into a permanent volunteer-run location in Old Colorado City and develop an online presence. Sarah and Donavan were leading Exposure Trips, speaking publicly about the impact of ethical trade on sustainable development, and encouraging others to consume responsibly. It became apparent that a non-profit entity was needed in order to expand into new nations, develop an entrepreneurial training curriculum, and continue to lead voluntary service and awareness expeditions within the developing world.
Yobel International officially became a 501c3 organization in July of 2012 and has been able to grow both their national and global presence, expanding into new nations and beginning to effectively train businessmen and women around the world to see their small enterprises flourish thereby alleviating poverty, reducing risk for unjust labor and human trafficking at the same time.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Colorado Springs, CO 80903