Volunteers building new homes for hard working, lower-income families or a café reinvesting its profits in neighbourhood programs and services. These are just a couple examples of Victoria-area social enterprises making a positive impact in their communities.

Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae showcased social enterprises on the legislature lawn today as part of Social Enterprise Month, including Habitat for Humanity Victoria and the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society.

Social enterprises differ from most traditional businesses in that profits are reinvested to achieve, sustain and further a social or environmental purpose. Based on a 2011 survey, B.C. social enterprises provided services to nearly 700,000 people and generated at least $60 million in revenues.

Today’s event was an opportunity to raise awareness of the growing social enterprise sector and its contribution to the strength and resiliency of B.C. communities. The Government of British Columbia has proclaimed April 2014 as Social Enterprise Month.

As an active member of the BC Partners for Social Impact, the B.C. government works with leaders in the field to promote and support social innovation and social enterprise across the province. Through this kind of collaboration, government is able to accomplish far more than it would if acting alone.

Quotes:

Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation -

“I want to thank all the social entrepreneurs for their innovation and hard work growing social enterprise in British Columbia. The organizations here today are great examples of social enterprise. I encourage citizens to learn more about this type of organization, whether it’s a visit to a café, farmers’ market, thrift store or the YMCA, and to celebrate the contributions of the social enterprise sector.”

Lee Herrin, executive director, Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society -

“Fernwood NRG is a social enterprising, charitable organization run by and for the residents of Victoria’s Fernwood neighbourhood - and it’s a great example of what a social enterprise can do. We offer many programs including childcare, affordable housing for families, family support programs and recreation. We also own our own business that operates the Cornerstone Café and Studio 1313 Hair Design. When the neighbourhood supports our business, our business supports the neighbourhood, because our business donates its profits back to our charity. I invite you to come and check us out during Social Enterprise Month.”

Yolanda Meijer, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Victoria -

“Our mission is to mobilize volunteers and a range of community partners to build simple, decent housing in order to provide lower-income families with access to affordable home ownership right here in our local region. We’re very excited that our ReStore, which funds our operations through the sale of donated building material, competed in the recent Social Enterprise Catalyst event and won both money and resources to help us roll out our new scrap metal drive partnership.”

Interesting examples of social enterprises in B.C.:

• Thousands of B.C. social enterprises around the province provide valuable services, offer employment opportunities, involve volunteers, and train thousands of people each year.
• Through volunteer labour, efficient management and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds affordable houses that are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages. The Victoria Habitat ReStore sells donated building materials and goods for sale to the public.
• The Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society operates a café, food box program, affordable housing, and child care, family, recreation and urban sustainability programs. All income from their Cornerstone Café is reinvested in the neighbourhood through programs and services. The Café serves and sells coffee roasted by Discovery Coffee, a Victoria-based coffee roaster, and $5 from every pound of coffee sold is also reinvested.

Learn More:

Check out the many social enterprises in B.C.: www.socialenterprisecanada.ca/en/purchase/nav/marketplace.html

Information on April Social Enterprise Month events happening around B.C.: hubcapbc.ca/

Habitat for Humanity: www.habitatvictoria.com/

Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society: http://fernwoodnrg.ca/

Learn more about the BC Partners for Social Impact and the Action Plan to Maximize Social Innovation in B.C.: www.sdsi.gov.bc.ca/social-innovation/index.htm

View the Social Enterprise Month proclamation at: www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/oic/2014%20Proclamations/procs/SocialEnterprise2014.htm

Media Contacts:

Joanne Whittier
Communications Manager
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 387-6490