Although North America is the most affluent continent, globalization and an expanding world economy are creating an ever widening gap between the rich and the poor. In the United States, nearly 37 million people, or 12% of the population, live below the poverty line, set in 2006 as $20,000 for a family of four. This rate has been rising, with children being the most affected by poverty.

SERRV partners in the U.S. include Native Americans, single mothers and at-risk women in pockets of poverty across the U.S. involved in projects that promote economic alternatives as well as sustainability and self-determination.

Meet some of our artisan and farmer partners in North America

Native Harvest, Minnesota
On the White Earth Ojibwe (Chippewa) reservation in northern Minnesota, sales of traditional foods such as maple syrup, wild rice, dried corn and hominy, and wild fruit jams and jellies generate income and help fund the White Earth Land Recovery Program. Founder Winona LaDuke envisioned a program which would preserve Ojibwe culture by recovering original tribal lands and building a sustainable economy. Read more about Native Harvest.

The Women's Bean Project, Colorado
The Women's Bean Project is a nonprofit organization based in Denver that was created to help at-risk women break the cycle of poverty and unemployment. Since 1989 they have been providing skills training, raising self-confidence, and inspiring hope in place of the demoralizing effects of poverty. Read more about the Women's Bean Project.



Click on the menu to the left to see all of our partners in North America.