Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Xmas Ornaments at RONA (and online)

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 | Leave a Comment
12 Ornaments in BC pine

12 Days of Christmas

Back by popular demand, Tradeworks Custom Products (TCP) presents a new ornament line “the 12 Days of Christmas,” now available for purchase at 13 RONA locations in Metro Vancouver.

“With the purchase of these ornaments you can empower women to learn a new trade and support their transition to a new career,” said Tradeworks Executive Director, Ross Gentleman. “TCP brings women together in a positive environment where they work with mentors and support each other to make positive changes to their lives.”

Tradeworks Custom Products (TCP) is a social enterprise operated by Tradeworks Training Society, which is located in Vancouver’s downtown eastside; a community with a high proportion of residents living in poverty and/or dealing with other barriers to employment. TCP trains women in a custom woodworking shop, empowering them to make sustainable changes in their individual lives.

Purchase of these ornaments will also help the environment. TCP uses sustainable BC wood, such as pine beetle wood for these ornaments, and recycles other manufacturer’s discards that would otherwise go to landfill.

The Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments are available for a limited time. They are available in sets of 12, or three, or singles. To show your support for TCP, visit RONA Home Building Centres throughout Metro Vancouver or find TCP online at www.tradeworks.bc.ca/tcp.

Happy Holidays!

BC’s New Social Innovation Initiative

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 | Leave a Comment

On November 25th a non-profit summit at the Trade and Convention Centre heralded a new level of interest in community and collaboration on the part of the Government of BC.  The Premier spoke before lunch and the Minister of Social Development, Stephanie Cadieux played a prominent role.  Gordon Hogg, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Entrepreneurship, moderated.

I wide array of projects and ideas were presented to demonstrate creative ways people have risen to respond to community challenges and social problems. The term ‘social innovation’ was used heavily and encompassed social enterprises, multiparty collaborations, novel financial instruments and structures, online linkages, and more.  More info at www.innovatebc.ca/

The BC Advisory Council for Social Entrepreneurship released a discussion paper and invited input at http://socialinnovationbc.ca/

And the Premier announced a online competition to be opened in January to solicit ideas province-wide on social innovation ideas and projects.

 

All-Candidates Meeting at Pathways a Success

Thursday, November 10th, 2011 | Leave a Comment

This past Friday, November the 4th, Pathways Information Centre hosted a Downtown Eastside (DTES) All-Candidates Meeting, for those running for City Council on November 19th.  All of the major parties were represented, as well as an Independent candidate. The questions were centered on the issue of homelessness and poverty in the DTES area. The questions ranged from being broad in scope, asking how the candidates would handle the issues of mental health and addictions, to the more specific, asking about SRO hotel rent prices.

Homelessness, and housing prices in general, is a major concern in the coming election and most candidates have weighed in to some degree. There is no place where this is a more pressing concern than the DTES. Three of the Candidates: Ellen Woodsworth, Andrea Reimer, and Adriene Carr, voiced strong support for the need for Pathways to continue operating in the area.

Anne Livingston ensured all were aware of the recent increase in locals being ticketed for ‘j-walking’, and Councillor Andrea Reimer agreed to follow up.

The event was a success, a good public turnout out. It also received high praise from Karen O’Shannacery, chair of the Urban Core. The Urban Core was the official sponsor of the event.

“Just wanted to share how incredibly successful the all candidates meeting was tonight! The questions that were suggested and the further questions from the floor, gave a very good perspective on where the candidates were coming from, and pulled out some nuances that are interesting to this community,” said O’Shannacery

Don’t forget to take the time to vote in the coming municipal election on November 19th!

 

12 Days of Christmas

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 | Leave a Comment
Boxed Set of 12

The Full Set of 12

Tradeworks Custom Products, our social enterprise for women, is once again producing very special hand made, laser engraved Christmas tree ornaments.  Buy a full set, a group of three or singles.  Great gifts!   Made from BC beetle killed pine and by women in the inner-city gaining skills and experience.  Check them out online or at Vancouver area RONA stores in November!

Tradeworks’ Budget Consultation Submission

Friday, October 14th, 2011 | Leave a Comment

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has been touring the province and soliciting input on the 2012-2013 budget.   Tradeworks’ submission highlights two issues:

1. There is a need for supplementary social services in the DTES, in light of the pending withdrawal of employment services from the DTES in April 2012.  In the recent past, employment services providers have provided local residents with assistance and information that complemented their job searches, or simply supported them in pursuing a longer-term goal of employment.  Pathways Information Centre assists anyone looking for help.  With the centralization and consolidation of employment services at least 6 operations will likely be closing in the inner city, and one of these is Pathways.

2. The need for the province to allow income assistance recipients to earn income without the Ministry deducting 100% of those earnings from assistance payments.  This is an effective 100% tax rate on the poor.  We suggest an earnings exemption up to $500 monthly, or a reduced rate (perhaps 50%) for a deduction from assistance.  The existing policy is a heavy disincentive to people taking part-time work, casual work, and getting into the workforce.

The submission is available here (PDF).