Description
CSRwire’s office is located on a chemically-contaminated street called “Gasoline Alley” in Springfield, MA. When the building was purchased there were no bugs, plant or wildlife, but plenty of crime. Now, years later, the CSRwire building serves as an oasis in the middle of blight. The organization has built an evolving village that focuses on local economic, environment and social growth.
Led by CSRwire’s leadership, including founder Joe Sibilia, CSRwire's social mission takes form through the work of The Gasoline Alley Foundation. At the Foundation’s core is the belief that honest, dignified jobs are the way to economic and community development. The mission is to teach inner city youth and/or underprivileged persons to be successful entrepreneurs while revitalizing inner city neighborhoods with a concentration on socially responsible/sustainable business practices.
CSRwire believes they can create a sustainable living and learning center off the grid on Gasoline Alley. Springfield, which has been severely depressed economically for years now, can become a mecca for socially responsible/sustainable business and act as an example for other communities.
Results
The Foundation has a number of aspiring, seasonal and on-going programs. Our main program is incubating social enterprises. There are a number of initiatives that we would like to execute, pending funding and changing seasonal programs for the local community shift as funding permits.