Executive Summary

BOLANIE Enterprises Incorporated (BEI) is a not-for-profit social enterprise comprised of a restaurant, transitional housing and the Center for Opportunity, Rehabilitation and Enrichment (CORE).  The word "Bolanie" is African in origin from a Western African community called Yoruba and means, "wealth at home".  The wealth of BEI is the provision of stable housing, employment at a livable wage, financial literacy, and individual development accounts available to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness or at-risk of experiencing homelessness.  The restaurant provides employment at a livable wage, on-the-job training, and individual economic development. Stable housing is provided through CORE Transitional Housing.  BEI CORE offers housing, for up to two years, while individual are employed at BEI's restaurant.  While residing in CORE housing facilities and maintaining employment at the restaurant, individuals will be required to participate in financial literacy classes leading to the opening of a checking/savings account and an individual development escrow account (IDEA) with a 30 percent of income mandatory contribution.  Program participants will obtain state identification and social security cards, if not already secured, register to vote, attend city council meetings, have access to counseling, healthcare and mental health support.  While the employment provides a sense of purpose, self-worth, dignity, self-determination, and social mainstreaming,  BEI CORE provides an opportunity to restore individual experiencing chronic homelessness as productive members of society while positioning them to live a rewarding, fulfilling, and sustainable lifestyle.