News – Give it 4ward

Arroyo Grande

🌱 Mujeres Circulares: Weaving the Future with Hands that Transform

In the rural village of Arroyo Grande, just 45 minutes from Cartagena de Indias, a group of women is reshaping their reality—and their community’s. They don’t just recycle plastic; they turn it into art, income, and hope. This is Mujeres Circulares, an initiative that empowers resilient women to transform waste into purpose-driven products.

🌟 Women Who Inspire

The heart of this project lies in the women themselves—mothers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who, despite adversity, have chosen to take control of their lives. Through the support of the Give it 4ward Foundation, these women receive seed capital to start their own businesses. In return, and as part of a model rooted in solidarity, they commit to reinvesting 25% of their profits into supporting other women in their communities—creating a ripple effect of empowerment and growth.

♻️ From Plastic to Purpose

Each item they create tells a story of transformation. Bags, accessories, and home décor pieces are handcrafted from recycled plastic using traditional techniques blended with modern design. Beyond functionality, each piece carries the message of environmental care and a commitment to sustainable community development.

🤝 Partnerships that Empower

The growth of Mujeres Circulares is also made possible by HOCOL (a subsidiary of Ecoptrol) and ACDesarrollo, who have provided technical and logistical guidance to strengthen the initiative. But make no mistake—the true driving force behind this project is the women themselves. Through their dedication, creativity, and leadership, they are proving that meaningful change starts locally and can reach far beyond.

💬 Be Part of the Movement

Supporting Mujeres Circulares is more than just purchasing a beautiful, sustainable product. It means joining a movement—a network of social and environmental transformation. With every product, you empower a woman, reduce plastic pollution, and promote a more just and circular economy.

Threads of Hope: Empowering Dreams in Curití with UAÍA and Give It 4ward

In the verdant hills of Curití, Santander, a small but resilient group of single mothers is starting to glimpse a brighter future. Thanks to a heartfelt and hopeful alliance between UAÍA and the Give It 4ward Foundation, these four or five women are on the brink of transforming their lives and, with them, the future of their children.

A Unique Bond of Support and Growth

Picture these women, custodians of an age-old tradition, weaving not just fique but also the dreams of an entire community. The magic begins when UAÍA, a brand deeply committed to ethical fashion and sustainable craftsmanship, and Give It 4ward, a beacon of empowerment and solidarity, join forces to pen a new chapter in the lives of these hardworking mothers.

A Workshop of Change

At the heart of this alliance beats a newly equipped workshop, generously donated by Give It 4ward, designed to be the crucible where the artisans’ skills meet opportunity. Here, the tradition of fique weaving intertwines with new horizons of production and quality, allowing these mothers to not only refine their art but also expand their enterprises in ways they never deemed possible.

More Than a Project, a Promise

This workshop is more than a physical space; it’s a promise of independence, a sanctuary of creativity, and a bridge to economic empowerment. It acknowledges the strength and determination of these women, who strive daily to provide a better future for their children.

Weaving the Future Together

Every piece created in this workshop is a testament to resilience, love, and hope. The crafts that emerge from the hands of these mothers carry not just the beauty of fique but also the story of a new beginning. This is a journey of shared growth, where the community of UAÍA and the followers of Give It 4ward play a pivotal role.

Your Thread in This Story

By supporting this project, you become part of this transformation. Each item purchased, each word of encouragement, each gesture of support adds another thread to this fabric of change. Together, we’re not just empowering a small group of courageous women but also revitalizing a tradition, empowering a community, and changing the trajectory of future generations in Curití.

This is the beginning of something beautiful, a collaboration that transcends the act of giving and receiving. It’s a testament to faith in the power of unity, in the strength of women, and in the capacity of craftsmanship to change lives.

Join us on this mission of hope and transformation. Let’s make every stitch, every knot, every thread count in the story of these mothers, their families, and the Curití community. Because together, we’re weaving a future full of possibilities.

REINSERTA

🌟 Transforming Lives Together: Partnership with Reinserta at Santiaguito Penitentiary

We are thrilled to announce that Give it 4ward has partnered with Reinserta to launch an innovative program within the Santiaguito Penitentiary Center in Toluca, Mexico. This initiative aims to create meaningful change for incarcerated mothers and their children, fostering family unity and providing opportunities for personal growth.

🤝 A Purposeful Alliance

At Give it 4ward, we empower single mothers by providing seed capital to start businesses, with the understanding that they will reinvest 25% of their profits to support others. This model not only promotes financial independence but also instills a sense of community and shared responsibility.

Through our collaboration with Reinserta, we are introducing this model to incarcerated mothers at Santiaguito. By equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and a platform to give back, we are helping them break the cycle of violence and incarceration, paving the way for a brighter future for their families.

🌱 A Model of Change

The program builds upon Reinserta’s successful model, which has been implemented in various penitentiary institutions. Together, we aim to adapt and expand this model at Santiaguito, creating a space where hope and transformation are possible.

🌎 Expanding Hope: Launching the CRAJ Program with Reinserta in Mexico City

We are proud to announce the beginning of a powerful collaboration between Give it 4ward and Reinserta, marking the first phase of funding for the implementation of the CRAJ post-prison program in Mexico City—North America’s largest metropolis.

This initiative is a milestone for both organizations. Reinserta, known for its deep commitment to breaking the cycles of violence in Mexico, has developed CRAJ (Centro de Reinserción para Adolescentes en Justicia) as a replicable juvenile post-prison model. This program focuses on giving young people who have exited the justice system the tools they need to rebuild their lives with dignity, purpose, and opportunity.

The CRAJ program was originally launched with support from USAID, the world’s largest governmental nonprofit agency. Now, with this first phase of co-funding from Give it 4ward, the model continues to expand and evolve—building bridges between local resilience and international cooperation.

💬 Why It Matters

At Give it 4ward, we believe in the power of second chances, and that healing and reintegration begin with trust, opportunity, and community support. This is not about charity—it’s about equity, dignity, and transformation.

By supporting CRAJ, we are investing in:

Social reintegration through mentorship, entrepreneurship and education.
Holistic support for adolescents exiting prison systems.
Scalable models that can be adapted to different territories and contexts.

👩🏽‍🔧 Impact Beyond Borders

Although Give it 4ward is rooted in work with women heads of household and vulnerable communities in Latin America, this alliance represents a strategic step into urban impact and justice reform, always grounded in our belief that receivers can become givers—and that real change happens when we trust those who have lived through the hardest stories to write a new ending.

We are honored to walk alongside Reinserta in this journey. This is just the beginning.

🍽️ From Serving Time to Serving Purpose: Supporting Former Prisoners on Their Path to Entrepreneurship

We are proud to share one of the most powerful examples of what happens when second chances are met with real opportunities.

In Colombia, a group of women who once served food inside Cartagena’s trendy prison restaurant have now moved beyond the prison walls—not just in freedom, but in dignity and entrepreneurship. These women, once known for their talent in the kitchen behind bars, are now building businesses of their own. Their journey has been documented by NBC News and continues to inspire:

👉 These women are serving food and time in Colombia’s trendy prison restaurant – NBC News

Today, Give it 4ward is proud to announce the completion of a new three-party alliance in Cartagena, in collaboration with the Cartagena Chamber of Commerce and the Acción Interna Foundation. This partnership focuses on supporting reintegration projects outside of prison, helping former inmates—especially women—transform their lives through entrepreneurship, creativity, and community support.

💬 Why It Matters

We believe in rebuilding from within. And these women are the living proof that, when society opens the door, they don’t just walk through it—they build new ones.

Together, we are co-creating spaces where:

Reintegration becomes economic independence.
Stigma is replaced with admiration.
Past mistakes are not the end of the story, but the beginning of something greater.

This alliance strengthens our mission to turn receivers into givers, and proves that with the right support, transformation is not only possible—it’s unstoppable.

🤝 Supporting Single Mothers Behind and Beyond Bars: A New Alliance in Bogotá

We are proud to announce the completion of a powerful new alliance between Give it 4ward, Corporación Mundial de la Mujer, and the Acción Interna Foundation. This collaboration focuses on creating and supporting entrepreneurial opportunities for single mothers—both inside Bogotá’s prison system and after they return to society.

These women, many of them heads of household, often carry the weight of poverty, social stigma, and isolation. Yet they also carry something stronger: resilience. This alliance was born to nurture that strength, offering them not only hope but the tools to rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship, self-confidence, and economic autonomy.

🌟 Innovation in Reintegration

Acción Interna has become a symbol of innovation in Latin America for its reintegration work with people deprived of liberty. Their impact was recognized on a global scale when they were selected to participate in a leadership event with former President Barack Obama, highlighting the relevance of their work in rebuilding lives:

👉 Meet the young leaders who participated in the Obama event – Dinero.com

This new initiative will combine Acción Interna’s deep knowledge of reintegration, Corporación Mundial de la Mujer’s legacy in women’s economic empowerment, and Give it 4ward’s commitment to turning receivers into givers through real, long-term opportunities.

💬 Why It Matters

Because women—especially mothers—who are released from prison deserve a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity. Because children shouldn’t inherit a cycle of exclusion. And because we believe in investing not only in recovery, but in possibility.

This is not charity. It’s shared responsibility. It’s economic justice. And it’s just the beginning.

🌍 Two Cities, One Mission: New Alliance with Juanfe Foundation in Medellín and Cartagena

We are proud to announce the development of a new strategic alliance between Give it 4ward and the Juanfe Foundation, simultaneously in Medellín and Cartagena, Colombia.

This collaboration represents a powerful convergence of missions—centered on transforming the lives of young mothers, supporting them in becoming economically independent, emotionally resilient, and fully capable of leading their families and communities forward.

The Juanfe Foundation is widely recognized in Colombia and beyond for its pioneering work with adolescent mothers living in conditions of extreme vulnerability. Through education, healthcare, psychosocial support, and job training, they provide a comprehensive approach to reintegration and empowerment.

💫 Expanding Impact, City by City

Through this new alliance, Give it 4ward joins forces with Juanfe to expand access to entrepreneurship and skill-building opportunities for the young women in both cities—helping them not only find income, but purpose, confidence, and dignity.

This partnership will offer:

Workshops focused on entrepreneurship and creative thinking.
Mentorship from women who have overcome similar challenges.
Seed capital for sustainable business ideas led by young mothers.
Safe spaces for healing, learning, and growing—together.

💬 Why It Matters

Because young mothers are not a statistic. They are leaders in the making. They are dreamers, fighters, and creators of change. And when they’re given the support they deserve, they don’t just survive—they thrive.

This is more than an alliance. It’s a shared belief: that no life is too broken to be rebuilt, and no dream too small to be realized when women support each other.

We are deeply honored to walk alongside Juanfe Foundation in this journey—bringing hope, skill, and opportunity to the women who need it most.

💛 Strength in Unity: New Alliance to Empower Single Mothers in Cartagena

We are proud to announce the completion of a new three-party alliance between Give it 4ward, the Cartagena Chamber of Commerce, and the Sanando Heridas Foundation of Ríos de Vida Church. This partnership is focused on creating life-changing opportunities for single mothers in Cartagena, women who are often the invisible backbone of their families and communities.

Many of these women face daily struggles—raising children alone, limited access to stable employment, and social exclusion. But they also carry extraordinary strength. This alliance seeks to nurture that strength through entrepreneurship, emotional healing, and economic independence.

💫 What This Alliance Brings

Together, we are combining:

The community-based support and emotional healing provided by Sanando Heridas Foundation.
The business connections and training resources of the Cartagena Chamber of Commerce.
The seed capital and empowerment model of Give it 4ward, where each woman supported commits to paying it forward by supporting others.

This is not just a program—it is a catalyst for transformation.

💬 Why It Matters

Because when a woman rises, her family rises with her. And when we invest in single mothers, we invest in the future of Cartagena—one neighborhood, one household, one dream at a time.

We are honored to walk hand-in-hand with these women, and with organizations that believe, like we do, that real change happens when we trust and equip those who have always carried the most.

🤝 Unlocking New Beginnings: Alliance with Cartagena Chamber of Commerce and Acción Interna Foundation

We are proud to announce the successful completion of a new three-party alliance between Give it 4ward, the Cartagena Chamber of Commerce, and the Acción Interna Foundation.

This collaboration brings together shared values and a clear mission: to support reintegration and economic inclusion for individuals who are rebuilding their lives after prison—especially women. At the heart of this alliance is the belief that dignity, opportunity, and purpose should not end at the prison gates.

💡 Collective Action for Lasting Change

The Cartagena Chamber of Commerce contributes business knowledge and local market access, opening new commercial pathways for sustainable reintegration.
The Acción Interna Foundation, recognized nationally for its transformative work in prison and post-prison reintegration, offers mentorship, vocational support, and credibility grounded in experience.
Give it 4ward brings its signature model of entrepreneurship, social innovation, and seed funding to ensure these efforts translate into real-world results and long-term autonomy.

Together, we are building bridges—not walls—for individuals who are ready to contribute, grow, and lead.

💬 Why It Matters

Because everyone deserves a second chance—and some deserve their first. Because reintegration is not a charity—it’s a responsibility shared by community, government, and private sector. And because when women and men are trusted with opportunity, they rarely waste it.

This alliance is not just about jobs or workshops. It’s about restoring belief—in self, in others, and in a future that includes everyone.

🏛️ Strengthening Local Impact: New Alliance with the Cartagena Chamber of Commerce

We are proud to announce the completion of a meaningful alliance between Give it 4ward and the Cartagena Chamber of Commerce, a key institutional player within the city’s governmental ecosystem.

This collaboration reflects a shared vision: to drive inclusive economic development by empowering historically underserved populations—especially women heads of household, returning citizens, and young entrepreneurs—with the tools, knowledge, and support to succeed.

🤝 Why This Alliance Matters

The Cartagena Chamber of Commerce brings decades of experience in regional development, small business growth, and policy advocacy. Together, with Give it 4ward’s social innovation and community-first approach, we are building a stronger foundation for:

Entrepreneurship with social purpose
Access to markets for marginalized entrepreneurs
Programs that turn potential into progress

This partnership is not just about collaboration—it’s about co-creation. We are designing programs, spaces, and opportunities that reflect Cartagena’s unique challenges and rich potential.

💬 A Vision for the City

We believe that when institutions and communities work together, real, sustainable change becomes possible. Through this alliance, we are reaffirming our commitment to helping build a Cartagena where opportunity is shared, inclusion is intentional, and no one is left behind.

This is only the beginning.

🌍 Forging Stronger Futures: First Three-Party Alliance with Argos and ACD

We are also proud to announce the completion of our first three-party alliance with Argos and ACD (ACDesarrollo)—a collaboration built on shared values of sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusive innovation.

Argos, an international company with operations across North and South America, is globally recognized for its commitment to sustainability and was recently honored for its excellence in sustainable operational practices.

ACD, a respected leader in Colombia, specializes in designing and implementing ventures that create measurable social benefit, with a proven track record in community development, entrepreneurship, and territorial innovation.

🔗 A Model of Cross-Sector Collaboration

This alliance represents a new kind of partnership—one that blends private sector vision, nonprofit innovation, and community-based action. Together, we are launching initiatives that:

Support women-led entrepreneurship,
Promote environmental resilience, and
Expand opportunities for vulnerable populations across Colombia.

💬 Why It Matters

Because the challenges we face as a region—poverty, exclusion, environmental degradation—require more than goodwill. They require action, alignment, and the courage to do development differently.

At Give it 4ward, we are honored to walk this path with partners who believe that profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive, and that the most powerful impact happens when sectors work together to lift communities.

This alliance is a step forward—and we’re just getting started.

💖 Empowering Mothers, Transforming Futures: Alliance with the Juanfe Foundation

We are proud to announce the completion of our alliance with the Juan Felipe Gómez Escobar Foundation (Juanfe Foundation)—the largest women-focused foundation in Colombia, and a true beacon of hope for young mothers across the country.

Since its founding, Juanfe has provided life-changing support to over 500,000 mothers, offering services that go far beyond basic aid. From medical care and psychological support to job training, entrepreneurship programs, and workforce reintegration, the foundation has been instrumental in helping women regain their dignity, purpose, and economic independence.

🌟 A Shared Mission

This partnership reflects a deeply aligned mission between Give it 4ward and Juanfe: to create sustainable pathways out of poverty for women who are often left behind by traditional systems. Through this alliance, we aim to:

Support entrepreneurial development among young mothers.
Provide seed capital and mentorship.
Offer emotional and practical tools for long-term success.

💬 Why It Matters

Because when you support a mother, you uplift a generation. Because young women in vulnerable situations deserve more than survival—they deserve to thrive. And because transformation begins not with charity, but with trust, opportunity, and long-term investment.

We are honored to walk alongside the Juanfe Foundation in this shared effort to create a future where every woman has the tools and support to define her own path.

👣 From Displacement to Determination: Maira Geles, A Story of Strength

Among the many women we work with at Give it 4ward, Maira Geles Márquez stands out as a living example of resilience, dignity, and entrepreneurship in Cartagena. A survivor of Colombia’s armed conflict, her story reminds us that past trauma does not define the future—it fuels it.

Displaced by violence from her hometown of San Pablo in Bolívar in 2011, Maira fled with nothing but courage and the hope of reuniting with her daughter. For years, she faced unemployment, separation, and extreme poverty. But through sheer will, she transformed her pain into purpose.

Today, she is the founder of a small footwear business in Maríalabaja, where she designs and produces shoes—not just for income, but as a symbol of the life she has rebuilt.

“I was alone. I left without clothes. I had to leave my daughter behind and could only bring her back two years later. But little by little, I’ve pulled myself out of poverty—and I’ve never looked back.” – Maira Geles

Maira participated in the Regional Fair for Victims of the Armed Conflict, where her work was showcased alongside 37 other entrepreneurs who, like her, are building new lives through creativity and determination.

You can read the full report on her story in El Universal Cartagena here:
👉 “Las cicatrices del pasado no derrumbarán mi presente”: víctima del conflicto

💬 Why Her Story Matters

Because women like Maira remind us that entrepreneurship is more than just business—it’s reconstruction, resilience, and resistance. At Give it 4ward, we are honored to walk alongside women like her, providing support, capital, and visibility to those rewriting their stories on their own terms.

She is not a victim.
She is a founder.
She is a mother.
She is a force.