Sustainable Futures - Boise, ID

When I arrived at Sustainable Futures in Boise Carlyn, the Executive Director, gave me an introduction to and tour of the facility. Carlyn took over in January of 2010 and has turned this facility around and it is as holistic as it gets.

Sustainable futures has a two-fold mission:

1) To open the circle of employment in "green-collar" jobs to people who are re-entering the
workplace who are: financially challenged, disadvantaged, or have otherwise experienced
barriers in the workplace. Currently they employ women who have been incarcerated, at-
risk youth, and refugees.

and

2) To 'close the loop' by recycling wine and spirit bottles, turning them into drinking glassware,
bowls, vases, and soy candles. The glassware is sold to various restaurants, retail
establishments, and with logos for custom events.





Carlyn asked me what I wanted to do during my time there. I very simply told her that I would like to fulfill her greatest need and with that she put me to work in her office. In the hours that I spent at Sustainable Futures I: organized invoice filing systems, transferred information into the computer for future events, and assisted in creating grant reports.





After many years in corporate America, Carlyn had decided that she wanted out of her cubicle and into a more 'hands-on' position in which she could be involved in environmental and social sustainability. Carlyn has been running Sustainable Futures for the last nine months strictly as a volunteer. Although the program is still too new to show "valid" statistics, her numbers boast great success. Typically, in Idaho, a previously incarcerated person has an over 50% chance of re-offending and going back to jail. The average person who goes through Sustainable Future's program has a 6% chance of returning to jail. Those numbers prove that this program is a huge asset to the Boise community.

The Sustainable Futures facility consists of an office space, break room, and warehouse/work space in the back. Employees have their stations and worked diligently and efficiently. Carlyn is forging relationships with more and more businesses within the community and makes progress every day.

I watched Carlyn interact with a young man who works at Sustainable Futures. She not only runs this organization like a business, she takes the time to empower these people who for whatever reason have have stumbled along their way.

The full circle vision of this organization is very well purposed. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to assist Sustainable Futures and be refueled by Carlyn's selfless dedication to our environment and her community.

Thanks Carlyn - you're amazing!