The Counselling Foundation of Canada and Enterprising Non-Profits (enp) are pleased to host a FREE webinar series for organizations interested in learning more about social enterprises that promote employment skills. It will provide an introduction to social enterprise with a focus on those that include employment training; an exploration of three case studies of successful employment training social enterprises from across Canada; and the supports that exist for organizations seeking to explore how they could potentially launch a social enterprise.

Social enterprise is an emerging tool for non-profit organizations to enhance their service delivery and financial sustainability. They are businesses that blend both successful commercial initiatives and social outcomes. Social enterprises offer a variety of employment models: training, transitional and permanent employment. The models cover a broad range of purpose and targeted populations: people with disabilities, immigrants, Aboriginal Canadians, youth, people with multiple and complex barriers and others.

Session #1 (Wednesday, July 17 at 12 pm ET)
Introduction to Social Enterprise featuring Employment Training Program Models
Offered by David Lepage (Enterprising Non-profits)

Session #2 (Wednesday, July 24 at 12 pm ET)
Exploring Different Models: Three Social Enterprises That Promote Employment Skills
Facilitated by David Lepage (Enterprising Non-profits)

• StreetSuds/BuandeRue (offered by St. James Drop-in Center, Montreal, QC)
• Furniture Link (offered by Furniture Bank, Toronto, ON)
• The Smokehouse Kitchen Project (offered by The Prince George Native Friendship Centre, Prince George, BC)

Session #3 (Wednesday, July 31 at 12 pm ET)
Resources and Options to Further Explore Social Enterprise Development
Offered by David Lepage (Enterprising Non-profits) and Aaron Good (Sig@McConnell & Public Policy Forum)

*Additionally, Innoweave will host a stand-alone introduction to social enterprise webinar on September 13.