The History of New Work
Dr. Frithjof Bergmann successfully began the first New Work program in the late 1980’s in Flint, MI, responding to a crisis caused by an economic downturn and General Motors downsizing its plants in Flint. New Work essentially developed small-scale, local work that created jobs by providing the community with necessary goods and services that had been supplied by businesses outside the community – and which took hard-to-come-by monies out of the area. Business practices were taught, as well as personal development training, and then entrepreneurial training that allowed New Work to widen the variety of products and services offered, and broaden its scope to address needs in other communities.

Center for New Work: Detroit Executive Summary