Social Enterprise, Fruit2Work, recently announced that it is joining youth charity, Whitelion, to create a partnership that will offer ‘fruitful’ benefits for both organisations.
Fruit2Work offers employment to former offenders who are seeking a second chance, by delivering fruit boxes to Melbourne workplaces. The merge with Whitelion will mean additional employment pathways and opportunities to the young people they support through the Fruit2Work activity.
Ariel Hersh, co-founder of Fruit2Work said, “Less than 12 months ago, we made our first fruit delivery to just a few businesses from the back of a car. Fast forward to last week and we now have our own vehicle, delivering 200 boxes a week & already have two participants through the program and into full time employment”.
Whitelion has a proven track record in supporting youth at risk in the community, especially those involved in the justice system. The two organisations have been working closely over the last few months and Fruit2Work have been continually impressed with Whitelion’s care for their combined mission, as well as their entrepreneurial mindset.
Mark Watt, CEO of Whitelion stated, “Fruit2Work will be able to leverage shared resources, capital investments and a platform for increased sales to accelerate the growth of the enterprise.”
“Whitelion is intimately aware of the challenges for former offenders in Australia, where almost every 2nd person to leave prison is back within 24 months. We recognise that Fruit2Work helps to lessen the financial impact to society of offending and reoffending, and we are looking forward to further reducing this together,” he said.
Whitelion are thrilled that the co-founders will continue providing strategic guidance as they sit on the combined board.
The organisations will merge from the beginning of April.
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