Bow Valley College and Women In Need Society (WINS) have partnered to launch a new on-campus thrift store that combines affordability, sustainability, and hands-on learning. The initiative gives students access to low-cost essentials while creating real-world learning opportunities in social enterprise and community impact.
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We define social entrepreneurship as using business models (selling a good or service) to enhance social impact. This reflects most Canadian definitions.
Many see the social and the entrepreneurial as being in opposition, like two sides of a scale that needs to be balanced. Instead, we see the social and the entrepreneurial as partners in progress.
We support a social entrepreneurship movement that dares to ask, “How far could we go in solving the world’s problems, and even fulfilling our potential as human beings, if we fully harnessed the power of business models to enhance social impact?”
Vecova is a disability services and research organization connecting disabled individuals with employment opportunity and community involvement. Their multiple social enterprises, including an onsite Recreation Facility and Bottle Recycling Depot, operate as distinct businesses that reflect their social purpose of creating jobs and demonstrating inclusiveness as a successful business practice.
Fireworks Cooperative deals in the business of hospitality by providing women and girls who have left or who are at risk of sexual exploitation with life enriching programs and job training opportunities through their non-profit agency Servants Anonymous Society and event space Venu1008.
The Cerebral Palsy Collection Crew, by the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta (CPAA), turns donated used clothing, small household items and recycled bottles into revenue that supports the many programs and services they provide for Albertans affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
CommunityWise is nurturing and restoring one of Calgary’s downtown historical venues which in turn provides an affordable and inclusive co-work and activity space for over 60 of Calgary’s non-profit and grass-roots organizations.