Socially innovative organizations and businesses are helping brighten the lives of some B.C. residents this holiday season by providing creative, yet much needed festive services and supports.

Some of the businesses and groups that are being innovative and making a positive difference for individuals and families in need during this holiday season include:

Obsession: Bikes - This socially responsible bike shop recently launched a Bikes for Tykes program in the Vancouver-North Shore area. With support from local partners, the organization accepts donations of previously owned children's bicycles, restores the bikes to "like new" condition and then delivers them to underprivileged children for Christmas.

Beauty Night Society - This recent BC Ideas winner of the National Investment category will be handing out 1,600 Christmas stockings with personal and self-care products for women in need in shelters throughout the Lower Mainland. Beauty Night Society promotes self-esteem, health and wellness for vulnerable women and youth in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside through life skills development, wellness programs and makeovers.

Potluck Cafe & Catering - This social enterprise sells corporate and event catering across Vancouver as well as meal coupons to the public, a gift giving idea that helps improve healthy food access for people in need. Anyone can purchase a meal coupon to give to someone who can redeem the coupon for a healthy meal from the Potluck Café in the Downtown Eastside.

These made-in-B.C. programs are just a few examples of the leadership British Columbia is demonstrating with social innovation. The B.C. government supports social innovation by creating the legislative and economic framework that can support a social enterprise to move from mission to market.

Quotes:

Parliamentary Secretary for Non-Profit Partnerships to the Minister of Social Development Gordon Hogg -

"I'm heartened to see that so many people, organizations and businesses are stepping up to make the season a little brighter for some. We've had amazing success stories with social innovation this past year and I know we'll see more socially innovative organizations thrive in 2013."

Minister of Social Development Moira Stilwell -

"Social innovation and the positive impact organizations and community programs are making this holiday season prove that there's tremendous value in supporting and investing in this new way of delivering services. Thank you to everyone who's doing their part to make this holiday season special for British Columbians."

Learn More:

Video of Parliamentary Secretary Gordon Hogg reflecting on social innovation in 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90khh9ctd2A

High-quality video clips for media use are available at: http://sendtonews.com?SK=pw33a671Jm

For more information on the innovative companies and groups referenced in this release, visit these websites:

http://www.obsessionbikes.com/things-we-do/bikes-for-tykes

http://beautynight.org

http://www.potluckcatering.org

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Social Development
250 356-1670