Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe – The Downtown Mission’s Rebranded Mission Promotional Products
In January 2017 Biz X magazine reported: “The Downtown Mission (DTM) has launched its new Enterprise Program, the result of a $75,000 seed grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation. The new training
streams will include two social enterprise businesses — the Do Good Deli and Chari-Tees, specializing in custom products of all types including made to order branded T-shirts.”
The revenue, from sales at both businesses, goes directly to helping the DTM (a registered not-for-profit Canadian charity) achieve their mission of providing: Food for the body, Nurture for the spirit, Shelter for the homeless, Advocacy for the impoverished, and Opportunity for human growth.
Quite a bit has changed for the DTM since 2017, including an aborted plan for them to move their operations into the former Windsor Public Library at 850 Ouellette Avenue, a significant restructuring of DTM leadership, COVID, and the closure of the Do Good Deli.
However, as we celebrate the start of 2025, there is heightened optimism and excitement at the mission and in the community that they are firmly on a positive trajectory toward success.
This is evidenced today by the evolution and successful delivery of the following programs: Sanctuary (offering the homeless a safe place to rest at night), Food Support, Phoenix Recovery & Wellness (addressing addiction); Enterprise (a “needs” specific program offering vocational supports to employment-challenged individuals); and the Windsor Youth Centre (providing young people aged 16 to 29 with essentials like food and hygiene). Note: For more details on these programs refer to the DTM website.
Getting back to the story at hand, almost one year ago Maurizio Tiberia was hired as Director of Business Operations by the DTM. If his name seems familiar, it is because, for many years, he ran the Wedding Odyssey event and bridal expos at the Ciociaro Club.
Now he focuses all his energy on his work at the mission.
“This is a new position that was created to merge two existing positions — finance and development,” explains Tiberia. “I have a lengthy and successful business and fundraising background in private industry, and it seems to be a perfect fit for me.”
Tiberia has recently helped lead the DTM in unveiling their exciting rebranding of their promotional product enterprise Chari-Tees program, with a new name, logo, and e-commerce website.
“Our new name represents the next chapter in our story,” Tiberia points out.
It is now known as Mission Promotional Products, where a wide assortment of promotional products can be ordered.
The website features an intuitive search function, easy navigation, and an expanded catalogue of products, from apparel and drinkware to tech gadgets and eco-friendly items.
Customers can now browse and purchase branded products with ease, while also accessing an array of design and customization options. “We understand that convenience and efficiency are paramount for our clients,” comments Sharda Yadav, Manager of Mission Promotional Products and the DTM Enterprise Program. “Our new website is built with the customer in mind — whether they’re looking for one-off items or bulk orders — our platform simplifies the process from start to finish.”
Mission Promotional Products also arrives with a refreshed and engaging new logo.
“The logo embodies the heart of our mission,” adds Tiberia. “It’s sleek, forward-thinking, and perfectly captures the essence of our business — delivering promotional products that make a lasting impression.”
The staff and guests of the DTM are responsible for creating the wide array of promotional products for business, school, sports teams and other organizations.
They are instructed how to operate embroidery, print, imprint, and other associated machinery in the basement level of the DTM at 875 Ouellette Avenue. They also learn about inventory and quality control.
Many of the guests are graduates of the DTM Phoenix Program and have successfully dealt with addiction issues and recovery. The new skills they acquire through the Mission Promotional Products Enterprise Program support them in their future employment opportunities.
In addition to creating unique promotional branding products for businesses and community organizations and sports teams, the DTM designs and sells promotional products with their own unique “Mission” branding — a great way to get the word out about the splendid work they are doing in our community. And, as a not-for-profit organization, all revenue made is directly invested back into the DTM’s various programs.
In these days of challenging economic times, donations to the DTM have decreased, so now the revenue stream from the Mission Promotional Products is more important than ever.
This new chapter for the mission recently received major support at the end of November 2024, from the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce.
They announced a new partnership with them to provide Chamber members with discounts on custom merchandise, while helping one of the area’s most venerable charitable organizations.
Through this partnership, Chamber members are able to utilize Mission Promotional Products to help their business and our community and, in turn, promote the DTM to others.
“A key part of the Chamber’s role is to serve the community, not just the business community,” states Interim Chamber CEO Tony Haddad. “This partnership provides benefits for the Chamber’s members while also providing value to the Downtown Mission. It profits both parties and furthers the Chamber’s commitment to our community.” As for what else lies ahead, Rukshini Ponniah-Goulin, DTM Executive
Director expresses: “We are incredibly excited about the future of the Enterprise Program.”
As are all of us at Biz X magazine! We wish the Downtown Mission all the best in 2025 and beyond.
