How would you explain your program in 300 words or less?
The plan was to donate masks directly to organizations in the East Bay that serve underrepresented populations including those who may be choosing between buying a mask or getting other essential services.
How did this program begin?
When the shelter in place order was announced in mid-March, Makau immediately started thinking about how she could keep her staff employed while continuing to serve those in the Bay Area Community. Nzilani’s core values are “Be Safe. Have Fun. Do Excellent Work.” The company leads the industry in best practices for employee protection from lead exposure while working with stained glass. It seemed logical for the company to pivot to making cloth masks. The talented Nzilani crew could continue working as an essential business and provide protection for those in need.
What is unique about the community you serve?
In partnership with the Dorthy Day House’s Double Helping Hands program the Nzilani Mask Project was able to support struggling restaurant workers and unhoused populations in Downtown Berkeley. These communities were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and needed quick, meaningful support. In addition to restaurant workers, we chose to support a local women-led organization Misssey – committed to Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting & Serving Sexually Exploited Youth.
How are you keeping your program financially sustainable & what strategies do you recommend?
We chose a buy one get one donation model to ensure the financial stability of the program. Our team made hundreds of masks, and for each mask that was purchased, we donated one to East Bay organizations serving communities in need, at a time when basic resources such as PPEs were scarce or inaccessible. We quickly found that people wanted to donate to the program more than they wanted to buy individual masks. This allowed us to increase the volume of masks donated to Dorthy Day House and Missey – a local, women-owned youth program.
What impact are you seeing & how do you measure success?
Our success is measured by the success of our community. We have formed lasting relationships with community members who purchased masked and the non profits where our masks were donated.
Are there any community programs or organizations that inspire(d) you?
Pacific Community Ventures is a inspiration to Nzilani because of the mentorship and business insight they provide to local entrepreneurs.
How has the outbreak of COVID-19 impacted your program, if at all?
The Nzilani Mask Project was formed in response to the need for PPE at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a way for us to provide for the community and keep the artist, who worked for us as window glazers, employed. Many individuals fled the Bay Area as entire industries shut down and although Nzilani is a company that combines construction and art glass fabrication – we were not exempt to the lock downs. As the PPE shortage got better and industries slowly started to get back to work, as did we. The last of our masks were donated in December of 2020.