Operation Warm and American MoJo Form Exclusive Partnership to Bring Jobs to At-Risk Families in the United States

CHADDS FORD, PA and BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Sep 2, 2011) - Operation Warm and American MoJo announce an exclusive strategic partnership that will create a triple bottom line effect benefiting at-risk families living in Massachusetts.

Currently 186,130 children in Massachusetts are living in families with incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level and 46 percent of these children do not have an employed parent according to the National Center for Children in Poverty.

Operation Warm is national nonprofit based in Chadds Ford, Pa., that was established 12 years ago to produce and distribute new winter coats to children in need living in the United States; alleviating a major financial burden for parents who struggle to pay for basic necessities. Operation Warm will celebrate distributing its millionth coat to a child at the end of its current fiscal year.

"Our partnership with American MoJo will address another critical issue for the families we serve," says Richard Sanford, founder of Operation Warm. "The mission of American MoJo aligns perfectly with Operation Warm and together we will work as a united front to help alleviate the effects of poverty."

American MoJo broke ground one year ago on its first clothing manufacturing plant in Lowell, Mass. The organization actively hires Americans at risk of poverty, and offers 30 percent more pay than minimum wage, healthcare benefits, free daycare and life skills classes in addition to on-the-job training. The majority of American MoJo's workforce is comprised of single mothers who live in the greater Boston area.

"The money we raise with Operation Warm to expand their coat distribution in Massachusetts will not only benefit the children of our state but will also give their parents jobs through MoJo," says Cara Aley, president of American Mojo. "It's a win-win for everyone."

Sanford says the joint goal to raise $1 million by April 1, 2012, will allow American MoJo to produce thousands of winter coats that will be distributed exclusively to Massachusetts families by September 2012. In addition to moving Operation Warm's coat manufacturing to Boston for this sustainable social venture, Operation Warm plans to purchase coats made from recycled plastic bottles.

"If our efforts are successful in Boston then we plan to move additional manufacturing into the United States and expand along with American Mojo to other northern states where American families will benefit," says Sanford. "We are exploring the greater Chicago area as our next opportunity."

Operation Warm raises money to distribute coats with support from local community partners including civic organizations, businesses, foundations and other philanthropic organizations. Operation Warm coats are often the catalyst for these community partners to develop relationships with families that help begin to break the cycle of poverty and give children a sense of belonging. Learn how to get involved at: http://www.operationwarm.org.

By providing more than just a job, American MoJo provides unprecedented benefits, support and training to help families regain control of their economic situation and move towards a more sustainable family dynamic. Learn more at: http://www.getamericanmojo.com.