About BragBin
Digitizing Family Memories. Rebuilding Workforce Futures.
Our Mission
BragBin is a nonprofit social enterprise that combines photo digitization as a revenue-generating service with workforce retraining and employment support for people rebuilding from barriers including justice involvement, long-term unemployment, disability, and health challenges.
We preserve irreplaceable family and community memories through photo digitization while providing equitable, dignified work and skills training for adults rebuilding from barriers to employment.
Learn more about our mail-in photo digitization service or explore our help resources.
Our Core Values
Dignity
We believe everyone deserves meaningful, paid work with clear progression—not just gig arbitrage.
Preservation
Family photographs hold irreplaceable emotional, cultural, and historical value; we handle them with care and respect.
Multilingual & Accessible
We serve customers and workers in their preferred languages and ensure physical and communication accessibility.
Community Accountability
We report impact rigorously and remain rooted in partnerships with workforce, reentry, disability, and community organizations.
Sustainability
We design for financial sustainability, reinvesting revenue and grants into growth and participant support.
Retail Hub Model: Using Unused Locations
BragBin operates retail hubs in empty or underused retail spaces, creating local, accessible locations for photo digitization while revitalizing commercial spaces.
Why Retail Hubs?
- •Foot traffic & visibility: Fixed location creates "we're here" presence in the community
- •Centralized operations: Professional scanning equipment, trained staff, consistent process
- •Scalable & flexible: Easy to scale or relocate as lease terms allow
- •Cost-effective: Lease empty retail space at lower cost than prime locations
How It Works
Customers bring physical photos to our retail hub location. We offer two workflows:
Scan & Return
We digitize your photos and return the originals to you. Perfect for preserving memories while keeping originals.
Scan & Destroy
We digitize and securely destroy originals. Ideal for downsizing and decluttering. Includes Certificate of Destruction.
Multilingual Service
Our retail hubs serve diverse communities with in-app translation technology. Staff or kiosks use the app's translator (speech/text) to explain workflows, consent, pricing, and answer questions in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Tagalog, and more.
Workforce Retraining & Employment Platform
BragBin provides meaningful, paid employment with structured training and progression pathways for people rebuilding from barriers to employment.
Who We Serve
Our participants include people rebuilding from:
- •Criminal justice involvement (reentry)
- •Long-term unemployment
- •Disability and health challenges
- •Other employment barriers
What We Offer Participants
- ✓Real hourly wages: $18–$28/hr (W-2 employment), paid biweekly
- ✓Flexible, on-demand shifts: Work at fixed, accessible retail hub locations
- ✓Clear skill-building pathway: Entry → Intermediate → Advanced roles with defined training
- ✓Progression credits: Unlock higher pay, tuition support ($500 per 100 credits), certifications
- ✓Meaningful work: Preserving family memories, solving real problems—not bullwork
- ✓Employment references: Documented achievements for future employers
- ✓Barrier support: Transportation assistance, partnerships with childcare/mental health/housing orgs
Training & Progression
Entry Level
Scanner 101, Customer Care 101, Data Privacy basics
Intermediate
Leadership Basics, conflict resolution, advanced scanning
Advanced
Lead tech, trainer roles, external employment preparation
Technology Platform: Gig Economy App for Talent & Oversight
BragBin uses a multilingual labor platform (mobile + web) that enables shift scheduling, geofence-based time tracking, training modules, and outcome reporting—resembling DoorDash/Uber operational efficiency but with employment stability, training pathways, and dignity.
Key Features
- •Shift scheduling: Participants can view and claim available shifts at retail hub locations
- •Geofence-based time tracking: Clock in/out when arriving at hub location, ensuring accurate time tracking
- •Training modules: Structured video training, quizzes, real-time coaching accessible via app
- •Progression tracking: Credits, skills completed, advancement milestones visible in app
- •Oversight & quality control: Hub managers can monitor shift completion, quality metrics, and participant progress
- •Outcome reporting: Tracked progression, employment placements, wage gains, skills completed—auditable, reportable to funders
How It's Different from Traditional Gig Platforms
Traditional Gig Platforms
- • Independent contractors
- • No benefits or training
- • No advancement pathway
- • Treated as interchangeable units
BragBin Platform
- • W-2 employment with benefits
- • Structured training & progression
- • Clear advancement pathway
- • Meaningful work with dignity
Social Impact
BragBin's blended model creates measurable social impact while building a sustainable business:
For Participants
- • Paid employment with progression
- • Skills training and certifications
- • Employment references
- • Support for barriers (transport, childcare, etc.)
For Communities
- • Local, accessible photo digitization
- • Revitalized retail spaces
- • Workforce development
- • Economic opportunity
Year 1 Pilot Targets
- • 12–15 participants complete 50+ hours (entry-level competency)
- • 8–10 participants advance to intermediate roles
- • 2–3 participants transition to external employment
- • 400+ hours of skills training
- • 40,000–50,000 photos digitized
- • Customer NPS: >40
Join Us
Whether you're digitizing photos or looking for meaningful work, BragBin is here to help.