New Loan Closing: Soul Shoppe
Promoting healthy environments in Bay Area schools
$75,000 bridge loan
Soul Shoppe helps kids have healthy relationships at school and at home by teaching them tools to self-regulate, support friends, and resolve conflict. In the organization's workshops and assemblies, Soul Shoppe facilitators create safe environments for students to talk about real problems they are facing. The organization uses a research-based, experiential learning model rooted in early childhood development practices that create a sustained climate of safety.
After adopting a hybrid in-person/virtual model due to COVID-19, Soul Shoppe created a train-the-trainers program for school staff so that they can continue conflict resolution practices when Soul Shoppe staff cannot be physically present in schools. Financed through NFF’s CARE Fund, which offers 0% interest loans to community-centered nonprofits led by people of color, this loan will ensure that Soul Shoppe can launch its new train-the-trainers program and continue other work while it awaits repayment from school districts.