Downtown Mission Launches New Enterprise Program Reducing the negative impacts of poverty in Windsor through employment
There is much discussion among social scientists, community leaders and advocacy groups as to the underlying societal and economic reasons for poverty. But there is consensus among experts who study its causes and effects regarding the best way to reduce its negative impacts on the community and the people who live in poverty- provide access to gainful and meaningful employment.
On Thursday, the Downtown Mission launched its new Enterprise Program, inviting local MPP Lisa Gretzky and Dan Allen, the Chair of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) local Grant Review Team, to speak on behalf this vital program. In mid-2016, the organization received a $75,000 Seed grant from OTF to help with the initiative.
“The Downtown Mission has served some of the most vulnerable members of our community for 45 years, providing hope and practical assistance to people struggling with poverty and homelessness. This Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will provide much-needed funds to the Downtown Mission as it adapts to address the changing needs of the disadvantaged in Windsor through an enhanced employment training program. I am proud to support this initiative.” – MPP Lisa Gretzky
The Enterprise Program is an innovative experiential training program, participants facing a variety of barriers to employment receive the opportunity to focus their career goals, gain industry standard on-the-job training and develop abilities to be “job ready.” The Downtown Mission is committed to providing employment support to program participants to ensure they become and stay employed.
In 2010, responding to the changing needs of “at risk” populations, the Downtown Mission built a targeted culinary program that provided vocational supports to individuals with long-standing barriers to gaining meaningful employment. The program boasted a 60 per cent success rate for graduates in finding meaningful employment. The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s grant has enabled the Enterprise Program to provide multiple employment training streams, making it more accessible to a wider spectrum of participants and expanding career opportunities including built in systems for support and success.
The new training streams will include two Social Enterprise Businesses the “Do Good Deli” (coming soon to 875 Ouellette) and “Chari-Tee’s”. Chari-Tee’s is a Social Enterprise business specializing in custom products of all types including made to order branded T-shirts.
The revenue made from sales at both business goes directly to helping The Downtown Mission 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.
“It really is the next step and a natural progression of our core programs. Through social enterprises like the Do Good Deli and Chari-tees the Enterprise Program will offer multiple training streams from culinary arts and hospitality to graphic design and printing, retail and customer service. It will increase career opportunities for people who have experienced barriers to employment, that will transform their lives and break their life of poverty,” said Executive Director Ron Dunn.
The Enterprise Program will be an important component of the Downtown Mission’s new Wellness Centre. The Wellness Centre will provide a heightened level of social services that will help hurting people leave a life of living on the streets.
Feature photo: Dan Allen, Chair Ontario Trillium Foundation Essex Kent & Lambton Grant Review Team (right) presents Trillium Foundation Plaque to Ron Dunn, Executive Director (centre) with Lisa Gretzky, MPP Windsor West
