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August 2000, Volume 68, Number 4 |
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| Spreadsheet One *Surround Yourself with Good People *Being Green Works *Moore's Law Forces *Managing in Internet Time |
Spreadsheet Two *New E-Commerce Executive Program *The Bulgarian Connection *University Thanks GSB Volunteers |
Spreadsheet Three *A Plea for Victims of War *Take a Hike, Wing-Tips *Study Trip Becomes Vietnam Homecoming *New Ventures |
| People: Katherine McLennan People: Carrie Portis For The Record: Class of 2000 Commencement |
People:
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| Photograph by Saul Bromberger/Sandra Hoover |
"It's been known to happen," says Portis of the occasional out- breaks of just plain happiness at the Rubicon Bakery. "Many of these people were recently unemployed, or on welfare, or homeless," says Portis. Rubicon has meant the difference between life on the streets and a roof over their heads.
Rubicon Programs, a 27-year-old nonprofit agency, is devoted to building affordable housing and providing integrated social services and job training and employment for the chronically unemployed and homeless. The bakery, one of Rubicon's three businesses, currently employs 25 people 80 percent of whom have come through the program. It supplies quality baked goods to more than 100 high-end groceries, restaurants, hotels, and caterers in Northern California. Sales to a major grocery chain that begin this summer will see the bakery's cakes available throughout the state, says Portis.
Portis joined Rubicon in 1995 as the business manager and grew the bakery into a competitive wholesale dessert manufacturer. In 1998, she introduced Rubicon Home Health Care, an in-home care business to train and employ workers. "We have a lot of clients who didn't have a great deal of formal work experience but were really terrific at taking care of others," says Portis, pointing out that many primary caregivers are never recognized for their skills because the work they do takes place at home. She hopes this newest project will draw the attention of health care providers and perhaps inspire other organizations to follow suit.
Portis is now developing her next community-based business and also working on key economic development issues for Rubicon and other organizations. "I'd like to generate more capital, continuing to build relationships between businesses and nonprofits for joint ventures, particularly among nonprofits," says Portis. As for creating an environment where people like to sing at work? "It's a bonus."
—PETER CALLAHAN
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