“Juma Ventures is one of the most cost-effective programs in the city that has a strong, positive impact on the lives of its youth participants.”

– City of San Francisco, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families

Juma Ventures is an innovative nonprofit organization that has developed a unique and highly effective approach to youth development: Juma develops and operates businesses - known as "social enterprises" - for the purpose of providing job opportunities to economically disadvantaged teens.

In addition to the employment opportunities provided in these social enterprises, Juma empowers youth with financial education and savings programs, college & career exploration, and essential life skills. Together, these jobs and support services, in conjunction with the supportive peer and adult relationships that youth form in Juma's program, combine to create a model that provides the foundation for youth to transcend challenging circumstances and make successful transitions to college and careers in early adulthood.

Each year, Juma Ventures works with approximately 250youth between the ages of 15 - 19 years. Juma's youth are recruited through schools and community programs in San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego and Washington D.C.'s most impoverished neighborhoods. All participants have very limited access to opportunities for employment, educational advancement, financial stability, and career success. Since 1994, Juma has worked with more than 2500 youth and the vast majority has moved on to college and career-directed employment.

Juma has received many awards for its work, including:

•	The 2004 Social Enterprise Alliance Community Achievement Award
•	Multiple "PEPNet" awards for program innovation and excellence from the National Youth Employment Coalition
•	Commendation from the City of San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families

In an article in the February 2005 issue of Harvard Business Review entitled "Should Nonprofits Seek Profits?" Juma was recognized as one of two nonprofit "success stories" that use business ventures as a vehicle for their social mission.