“Social enterprise” or “social purpose business” have been buzz words for several years.
It is not a new thing – for more than 75 years, Goodwill has been a successful social enterprise. They use their stores that sell used goods to create “work opportunities and skills development for people facing barriers to employment – among them, persons with disabilities, youth at risk, the chronically unemployed, Aboriginal people and newcomers to Canada”.
Recently, I have been hearing more about social purpose businesses in our own community.
For instance, I recently met a woman who has launched a social purpose business, HOPE Stream, to offer counselling services to marginalized populations through funds raised from the sale of a new reusable glass water bottle.
It will be interestng to see how this emerging sector can meet social needs within our community.
September 5, 2012
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