Social enterprise feasibility studies and business plans completed
Each of us, without exception, has a deep longing to give, to contribute, to offer and to share what is meaningful to us. Such contributions are the backbone of our communities. They contribute to the common good, allow us to fulfill our obligations to our fellow citizens and give us a sense of self worth. Most of all, contributions foster civic belonging - they make us feel at home.
— Measuring Up: Communities of Accessibility and Inclusion
Abbotsford Farm and Country Market
Completed March 2004
Launched in July 2004, The Abbotsford Farm and Country Market is the largest and most vibrant farmers' market in the eastern Fraser Valley. It's a place to meet, socialize, and enjoy the bounty that local vendors have to offer. The market is held on Saturday mornings, May through October in Historic Downtown Abbotsford, with monthly winter markets held in the off-season. It features growers, food producers, artisans, and live entertainment.
The Abbotsford Farm and Country Market was established as a joint initiative of Community Futures South Fraser, the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association and Tourism Abbotsford, and with the support of Western Economic Diversification and Service Canada. It now operates under the governance of the independent volunteer-run Abbotsford Farm and Country Market Society. Community Futures South Fraser continues to provide administrative support, and office space. Staffer Stacey Corriveau has served on the Board executive committee since inception.
Abbotsford Recycling Industries Social Enterprise (ARISE)
Completed October 2006
Abbotsford Recycling Industries Social Enterprise Inc. (ARISE) represents a unique business opportunity that aligns profit objectives with environmental benefits while creating employment for marginalized individuals.
Approximately 12 million tonnes of glass waste are generated in North America annually. Only one-third is currently crushed or ground and recycled into cullet or manufacturing of new glass, or is used in more industrial applications such as fibreglass filler or as an aggregate substitute in asphalt or perimeter drainage. Locally, the Abbotsford Recycling Depot accepts 40,000 pounds of glass per month, paying a substantial cost to transport the material out of the community for treatment and recycling.
ARISE proposes to re-melt and cast the waste glass into functional and durable high-end products for use in residential and commercial architectural design applications. The envisioned initial product line will include custom glass wall blocks, cast glass sinks and bathtubs. Original in design and highly attractive, the products are intended to be a manifestation of art studio meeting industrial factory. Skilfully coming together as products that straddle market norms while embracing sustainable production methods that respect the environment, it will also provide work opportunities for those with barriers to employment.
Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI)
Completed February 2009
Action Packaging is a social enterprise that has been in operation for about 15 years, providing shrink wrapping, heat sealing, custom assembly work, packaging, warehousing, and sorting services to a number of local businesses. To date, Action Packaging has been operating as a day program of Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI).
To align itself with BACI’s (and the Provincial Government’s) goals of providing real pay for real work, BACI is invested in exploring social enterprise options to ensure that Action Packaging provides employment at minimum wage or better for its workers, in addition to training opportunities and work experience for motivated individuals.
In order to gauge the marketability of Action Packaging, the BC Centre for Social Enterprise conducted market research and an evaluation of existing contracts and similar service providers to provide practical recommendations to BACI.
Continued Re-Integration Support Society (CRISS)
Completed May 2008
This feasibility study explores the possibility of a training business (art retail and café) providing experience and community connections to ex-inmates and those on work release and day parole, while also encouraging increased housing stock for this extremely socially and economically marginalized group.
The challenge of obtaining employment and housing upon release, the lack of money resulting from unemployment, and a sense of isolation from the community all increase the likelihood of recidivism. Therefore, in addition to creating work experience opportunities and some housing space for inmates in transition, the enterprise's success will increase community safety overall, and will, over time, save correctional costs and reliance on the social safety net.
Ecoworks Landscaping Services Incorporated
Completed July 2011
Ecoworks is a wholly-owned taxable corporate subsidiary of MCC BC, and exists to provide employment for those traditionally excluded from the mainstream world of work; and to generate profits for its parent charity, allowing MCC BC to enjoy greater community impacts.
In December 2010, the BC Centre for Social Enterprise convened a stakeholder session to engage Ecoworks management, horticulturalists, lead hands, and Board members in discussing the future of Ecoworks, from a business planning perspective. A SWOT analysis was undertaken with the group, in addition to a conversation about the tensions that may exist between the social and financial bottom lines of the venture, values and motivators, environmental goals, and management of crew expectations. The results, along with market research and financial projections, are embedded within Ecoworks’ first formal business plan.
Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association
Completed January 2009
This mini feasibility study explores options for moving a collective of photographers and artists with acquired brain injuries to the next level.
Ishtar Transition Housing Society
Completed September 2010
This feasibility study explores the possibility of launching a thrift store focusing on the 'Eco Thrifter' as shopper, as opposed to poverty alleviation (a more common purpose for thrift stores).
Ishtar already enjoys abundant clothing donations through its Donation Room program, and a troupe of volunteers eager to support a retail store in Langley. This green social enterprise would offer pre-loved clothing, housewares, and furniture for sale to the general public.
The full business plan was completed in December 2010.
John Howard Society of the Fraser Valley
Completed September 2008
This feasibility study explores the possibility of a training business providing experience and community connections to ex-inmates and those on work release and day parole, in a business that refurbishes used furniture and related items. This is a true 'triple bottom line' business concept, as it embraces social, financial, and environmental priorities.
The Fraser Valley hosts all but one of the federal prisons in BC. This reality provides the opportunity to create impactful initiatives and enterprises that assist inmates, and intentionally shape positive reintegration experiences as a tool to reduce recidivism (re-offence) within the community.
Langley Association for Community Living
Completed November 2007
Previously, individuals with developmental disabilities were employed in sheltered workshops run by the Langley Association for Community Living (LACL) and others. Since the closure of their sheltered workshops in 1998 (due to changes in BC Employment Standards regulations), LACL has been exploring avenues for their clients to engage in more meaningful, paid work in the community.
Supported self-employment through social enterprise is one promising solution.
Predicated on the interests and skills of the LACL clients, the aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of three small enterprises: art, paper shredding, and a hot dog cart. These are approached through the governance and legal structure of a cooperative, which encourages active participation and engagement of the workers, who are also owners.
Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op
Completed October 2010
This community services co-operative in Langley engaged the Centre to explore the feasibility of three social enterprise concepts: community garden plot rentals, workshop delivery on topics related to food security, and sales of produce and botanicals. Feasibility of all three ideas proved to be positive.
Mission Community Services Society
Completed November 2006
A registered charity, Mission Community Services Society (MCSS) has been offering a wide variety of supports and programs to community members since 1972. Its mission is to identify and respond to the needs of individuals, families, and the community.
Based on broad business criteria (e.g. convenience for customers, fill a need, must be of exceptional quality, and build business in increments), MCSS decided to explore the feasibility of a 'creative gardening / home maintenance specialist' social enterprise. MCSS' top priority around social enterprise is revenue generation, with a secondary attraction of heightening community awareness of the organization.
New Farmer Study
Completed January 2010
This study examines small scale agriculture in the Abbotsford area in order to evaluate and answer the question of how small scale agriculture can be successful.
The scope of this paper does not include commodity agriculture which often requires a large economy of scale, and high production volumes to reduce costs and maximize efficiencies. This study instead focuses on boutique agriculture operations that seek to lower their carbon footprint and reduce costs by minimizing inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers and using small land plots more intensively.
The study determines that there is strong potential for small agricultural operations, provided that they supply artisan or value added products for specialized or boutique markets such as the recent trend towards localized diets.
