Ray King, then President/CEO of Urban League San Diego, was encouraged by GSB classmate Carla Williams to lend Project Redwood his expertise at building capacity in underserved multiracial communities. On joining the Grant Review Committee, Ray realized that an organization he already knew, Women Initiating Success Envisioned (WISE) , was exactly the kind of innovative nonprofit Project Redwood was created to support.
Founded by Jackie Reed, WISE helps formerly incarcerated women rebuild their lives, secure employment, and break the cycle of recidivism. With Ray’s sponsorship and Carla’s support, WISE received both an initial Project Redwood grant and all-important access to a network of committed volunteers.
Ray worked in partnership with successor co-sponsors Carla Williams and Mary Pruiett, to coach Jackie on strategy, fundraising, and organizational development. Their guidance helped strengthen WISE’s ability to reach more women seeking a second chance, and WISE received two more Project Redwood grants.
At Project Redwood’s 2023 Annual Meeting, CEO Jackie Reed shared her own remarkable journey from incarceration to advocacy. She described the work of WISE as “meeting the women where they are” on release: providing clothing which raises their confidence in job interviews; bus passes for transportation to and from work; aid in regaining custody of their children; and advocacy to get the housing which a probation department is required to provide. “Ray saved me in 2009 by giving me a chance,” Jackie said. With the confidence Ray instilled in Jackie, she has guided WISE and helped to save 2,000 formerly incarcerated women by giving them the same kind of support Ray gave her after her release.
Among those in the audience moved by Jackie’s story, was Ross Rosen (MBA ’97). Ross volunteered his technical expertise to revamp WISE’s website, giving Jackie a powerful new platform to tell her story, attract supporters, and expand her reach. Ross continues to share his skills with Project Redwood grantees, finding satisfaction in seeing immediate impact of his contributions.
The story of WISE illustrates what makes Project Redwood unique. A grant opened the door, but the combined talents of sponsors, advisors, and skilled volunteers helped propel the organization forward. Ray, Carla, Mary, and Ross helped Jackie extend her support and impact to more women rebuilding their lives.
That is the power of Project Redwood: when people bring their resources, expertise, and passion together, extraordinary things become possible. We truly are Better Together.