The Legacy of Business Interface

Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

The Beginning of Welfare Reform

1935

During the Great Depression, millions of Americans lived in poverty with little hope for stability. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, establishing the nation’s first comprehensive welfare program.
One of its key initiatives was Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), which delivered financial assistance to low-income families, particularly mothers and children. While AFDC provided critical relief, it did not create a sustainable path for families to move beyond poverty toward long-term independence.

1996

Clinton’s Welfare Reform

By the 1990s, it became clear that welfare reforms were necessary.
In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, introducing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). TANF shifted the focus from indefinite financial aid to short-term support tied to workforce participation. This reform was the first significant step toward linking welfare programs with self-sufficiency, yet it also raised new challenges.

1997

The Welfare to Work Partnership

How could individuals with little or no work experience find stable employment?
Would businesses be willing to hire individuals who had faced economic hardship?
How could working parents balance employment with barriers such as childcare or reliable transportation?

In response, the Welfare to Work Partnership was created in 1997 by five leading companies: Burger King, Monsanto, Sprint, United Airlines, and UPS. The Partnership brought together businesses, federal agencies, state programs, and community organizations to bridge the gap between welfare reform and the realities of workforce entry.
Through innovative strategies, research, and employer engagement, it grew to include more than 20,000 companies nationwide, including 65 of the Fortune 100.
It became a model for how businesses could be part of the solution to poverty.

Mr. Carroll's Leadership

1998-2006

At the forefront of these efforts was Mr. Carroll, who served as an executive on loan from 1998 until 2006. His leadership and vision shaped initiatives that removed barriers to employment and created lasting opportunities for thousands of workers. His work provided the foundation for a new employment model. One that addressed immediate workforce needs and focused on long-term growth for both employees and employers.

2006

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Founding of Business Interface

In 2006, Business Interface was founded as a direct outgrowth of the lessons learned from the Welfare to Work Partnership. Built on proven best practices, Business Interface developed an innovative employment model designed to help employers recruit, hire, retain, and promote workers who had been economically disadvantaged. Since its founding, Business Interface has continued to expand its impact, providing workforce solutions that meet business needs while helping individuals move from dependency to self-determination.

Today

Honoring the Carrolls’ Legacy

The enduring vision of Mr. and Dr. Carroll is at the core of Business Interface’s mission. Together, they believed in the power of work to transform lives and communities. Their dedication to innovation, equity, and opportunity established an organization that has changed the way employers view and engage talent.

The Legacy Page stands as a tribute to their tireless efforts, unwavering belief in the potential of people, and profound impact on workforce innovation. Their legacy continues to live on in every partnership built, every barrier removed, and every life transformed through the work of Business Interface.