from need. to knead. It's time to get social!

May is social enterprise month, and a great time to reflect on how many non-profit and charitable organizations have created innovative solutions for pressing social and environmental causes.

Most of you have probably purchased a product or a service from a social enterprise without paying too much notice, take Girl Guide Cookie Day. What started out in 1927 with a Regina Girl Guide Leader baking and packaging cookies as a simple way to raise money has become a time honoured tradition. Today over six (6) million boxes are sold every year in Canada. Proceeds from the sales of the cookies are reinvested into programs and activities that build confidence, leadership skills, and introduce girls 5-17 years of age to new experiences.

The social enterprise community in Halifax is diverse and vibrant. From food to furniture and everything in between, when you purchase a product or a service from a social enterprise you know that the revenue is reinvested directly back into the community. More importantly, you are ensuring that those involved in the production of that that product or service are feeling valued and that they have a purpose in society. Social enterprises are also an innovative way for non-profit organizations to cover their own operational costs in the long-term and reduce their reliance on grants and donations. Social enterprises can provide stability to in-demand programs

So how do you know if you are purchasing from a social enterprise or a regular business?  It’s really quite simple.  According to the Social Enterprise Council of Canada, social enterprises are businesses owned by non-profit organizations that are directly involved in the production and/or selling of goods and services for the blended purpose of generating income and achieving social, cultural, and/or environmental aims. Social enterprises are one more tool for non-profits to use to meet their mission to contribute to healthy communities. The revenue generated from social enterprises affords the non-profit organizations the only prospect of long-term growth and sustainability.

There are lots of reason why social enterprises play an important role in our cultural framework, here are our top ten:

1. In addition to generating revenue social enterprises offer training, and or employment, for persons who are typically excluded from the mainstream economy.

1. Social enterprises build capacity and self sufficiency

1. Social enterprises help reduce the reliance on the social safety net

1. Social enterprises help to grow a skilled workforce

1. Social enterprises put people back to work and stimulate job creation

1. Social enterprises build healthy local economies

1. Social enterprises encourage innovation and entrepreneurship

1. Social enterprises turn consumption back into citizenship

1. Social enterprises reinvest their profit to do more good

1. Most importantly, social enterprises give people control back over their life.

A great example of a local social enterprise is Stone Hearth Bakery operated by MetroWorks Employment Association.  It was created 34 years ago to provide training and employment opportunities for individuals living with mental illness.  The bakery, famous for its rye breads, is unique as it is the only certified commercial kosher bakery east of Montreal. To be certified as a kosher bakery their products cannot contain dairy or meat ingredients.  Stone Hearth’s bread, bagels and sweets are carried by several retailers (including Sobeys), and served in many local restaurants throughout Halifax.

The success of the bakery led to the opening of Stone Hearth Café and Catering in January of 2015.  Located in Sackville, this new adventure is helping to give practical work experience to participants from MetroWorks Customer Service and Food Service Work Activity Programs. To date, five participants have successfully move on to full time employment in the food and restaurant industry.

From need to knead, Stone Hearth Bakery is giving rise to more than just bread.