Raft at a Glance

Raft, Inc. (Resources Advancing Family Transitions) is an emerging community-based nonprofit public benefit corporation located in Inglewood, California. The organization was founded in May 2000, and with the assistance of attorneys from the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Community Economic Development (LAFLA CED), Raft obtained its 501(c)3 tax exemption in June 2002. Raft's initial focus has been to address the need of a "living wage" for low-income single mothers, by helping them stabilize their living arrangements with consistent dependable employment. Recently, the target group has been expanded to include low-income single parent fathers raising their children, emancipated youth and seniors in need of supportive services.

Programs

Currently, Raft operates one major program, the Legal Support Institute (LSI), a vocational training school with a Personnel Referral Service for job placement assistance. Additionally, Raft provides supportive services for our target groups, which includes youth mentoring, parent empowerment workshops, affordable housing referrals, financial literacy workshops, first-time homebuyer education and senior citizen's informational workshops. Raft collaborates with other social service agencies for student recruitment and enrollment, as well as community outreach events. Raft's community outreach has been to host "LSI Community Forums" and a cable show production, "Raft's Community Connection."

Financial Support

Raft has been recognized and received financial support from the California Bar Foundation, the S. Mark Taper Foundation, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBSF), the Harold Edelstein Foundation, as well as other foundations and individual donors. However, we need your support now more than ever to advance our mission during the difficult times that our community and our country are facing. Please consider a donation today. Launch a Raft and become a Rafter! Please return often to our site and thank you for your support.