From 2003 to 2005, GWN provided low-income and disadvantaged micro entrepreneurs with 5,035 hours of training; provided credit counseling to 143 individuals; assisted with the development of 93 business plans; and acquired 63 Small Business IDA’s and 11 Micro Loans for its clients. A total of 66 businesses owned by low-income micro entrepreneurs were started or strengthened.  The Management Support Services program that provides back office support and accounting to clients services was started in mid 2005 and provides clerical and accounting services to several micro enterprises and non-profit organizations.  In 2005 Good Work Network helped the MicroEntrepreneur Collaborative of Greater New Orleans put on four workshops for its clients and publish three newsletters.  A list of the micro entrepreneurs whose businesses were strengthened through the programs of Good Work Network is provided in the Successes portion of this web site.

GWN is governed by a Board of Directors, several of whom were displaced by Katrina. Post Katrina staff includes an Executive Director, two Counselors / Trainers and an Administrative Assistant.  All staff members are directly involved with the counseling, training, and support services offered by GWN.  Additional trainers, counselors and office staff will be employed as needed on a contractual basis.  Volunteers from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and local universities are used along with business professionals that counsel clients on an ad hoc basis.

GWN receives it’s primary funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and is an SBA Community Express loan intermediary.  GWN is collaborating with the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce (who is currently providing GWN with temporary office space) and with other area Chambers to assist local micro enterprises recover and participate in the rebuilding process.  GWN continues to work with Newcorp and Hope Community Credit Union to provide financing to clients who may not meet traditional underwriting criteria.  GWN works closely with the local area Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), cosponsoring trainings and cross-referring clients.  GWN is also working with various groups including city and state Departments of Economic Development and a sub committee of the city of New Orleans’ Bring New Orleans Back Committee.  It is actively involved in efforts to assure minority participation in the rebuilding efforts. GWN is also working with Louisiana Association for Non-Profit Organizations and Greater New Orleans Knowledge Works on developing a program to  provide back office support services to small non-profit organizations.  Perhaps Good Work Network’s most important collaboration is with the Micro Entrepreneur Collaborative of Greater New Orleans, an association of micro entrepreneurs who share Good Work Network’s goals.