Ontario-based social enterprises: Give your values this holiday

 

Thinking that presents to your loved ones shouldn’t just line someone’s pockets with dough? Looking for a way to help out local social enterprises this holiday season?

We’ve assembled a list of some of Ontario’s most promising social entrepreneurs’ delightful wares. Happy socially-conscious -shopping!

Bee Happy Candles and Creations – http://beehappycandles.com/

Give them a call if you would like more information on using Bee Happy Candles as employee gifts during this season or at any time of the year.

411 Markland St. | Thunder Bay, ON | P7B 2J2 | jhunter@beehappycandles.com
Phone: 807 345 4341 | Toll Free: 1 888 787 7072 | Fax: 807 345 1003

Culinarium Ontario Food – www.culinarium.ca

They can’t think of a better gift for the foodie or locavore on your list than a basket filled with delicious Ontario goodies from around our beautiful province.

Culinarium™ offers pre-made or custom made themed gift baskets. All packaging has been carefully chosen to respect the environment.

For custom baskets please visit 705 Mount Pleasant Road or contact us to discuss all Ontario has to offer.

Themed gift baskets include Edible Ontario: Packed in a reusable hat box, they’ve gathered a sample of the best Artisan products from around our fine province. From sweet to savoury, there is something for everyone.

Eva’s Phoenix – http://phoenixprintshop.ca

2009 Greeting Card Collection

The Phoenix Print Shop holds an Annual Greeting Card Design Competition for at-risk youth aged 16-29 who demonstrate an artistic talent. Awards were given at the Annual Graduation Event which was sponsored by Bombardier. Youth artists received framed prints of their artwork as well as prizes based on our sustainable transit theme – a 6-month transit pass for first place winners and a 3-month transit pass for second place winners.

Every card sold directly supports the youth artist, as well as their award-winning Foundations of Print training program.

Every card sold directly supports the youth artist as well as their award-winning Foundations of Print training program. All cards are printed on 100% post-consumer fiber made from wind-generated electricity.

LOCATION:
11 Ordnance St. | Toronto, ON M6K 1A1 | T: 416-364-4716 x256 | F: 416-364-2985
E: printshop@evas.ca

Green Beanery – www.greenbeanery.ca

Hot Products! Cool prices! Canada’s leading coffee (and tea) site.

Green Beanery is a Canadian non-profit company, created and staffed by environmentalists at Probe International and its sister organizations. They not only strive to bring you extraordinary coffees and coffee-making products from around the world, but also work to right failings in the worldwide coffee industry.

Retail shop located at the corner of Bloor/Bathurst.

Inspirations Studio December Studio Sale – www.inspirationsstudio.ca/events.php

Supported by Sistering, Inspirations Studio teaches art and business skills to women in Toronto who have been affected by poverty, homelessness and trauma. The goal is to assist studio members in developing micro-businesses to generate revenue, while increasing self-esteem and confidence and building community and a sense of belonging.

761 Queen St. W, Suite 201 (at Euclid) | Dec. 4 – 6, 2009 | 12 – 5pm

Jabu Bags – www.jabubags.com

“Believing that small efforts can have big effects, Jabu Bags is a Canadian social enterprise supporting an income-generating project in the rural areas of Swaziland. Two groups of women from the Kalanga and Velezizweni Chiefdoms, work together to make cloth bags promoting skill sharing within the groups and financial independence.” By buying a bag you are supporting women’s empowerment at the local level and helping alleviate the strains of poverty.

Me to We Style – www.metowestyle.com

Me to We: [Responsible Style] is a social enterprise that is committed to providing ethically manufactured, quality apparel for the socially-conscious consumer. Their product line is domestically produced, sweatshop-free and made using certified organic cotton and viscose from bamboo.

Me to We: [Responsible Style] is run by co-founder Oliver Madison and works closely with world-renowned social activists and advisors Craig and Marc Kielburger. Craig and Marc Kielburger, through their work with Free The Children and Leaders Today, have led more than one million young people, schools and corporations to take action on issues across the globe.

Their mission at Me to We: [Responsible Style] is to empower consumers to make purchasing decisions that lead to a better life for people around the world. By manufacturing their clothing in Canadian factories that pay adult workers a fair wage, they ensure that parents make enough to care for themselves and their children. By using organic cotton, they ensure that toxic chemicals aren’t harming people, animals or the earth they share. And by donating 50% of our profits to Free The Children, they ensure that a better life is created for children and their families in rural and impoverished areas across the globe.

Me to We Style Inc. | 233 Carlton St. | Toronto, ON | M5A 2L2

Mimi + You – www.mimiandu.com

MiMi + You creates only “One of a Kind” designer handmade necklaces. No two necklaces are alike. You own the only one!

The designs are inspired by friends and the community; the YOU part of the brand name. Each piece is as unique as the women who wear them: moms, teachers, entrepreneurs, business executives, activists and actors. Also known as Mimi and You.

Operation Come Home (OCH) Beadworks – www.operationcomehome.ca

A new enterprise is attracting attention at Operation Come Home. Over the past year more than 60 youth have become involved in designing and crafting beaded jewellery. Having never made jewellery before, the youth, both male and female, discovered talents they did not know they had. They then discovered creative work was a positive and lucrative way to spend their time. Last summer BeadWorks successfully participated in “The Underpass Project”, a pilot project of Arts Court and The Rideau Street Business Improvement Association. They were also accepted to sell at the two LadyFest adjudicated craft sales. When an item of jewellery is sold, the youth who made it receives half of the money and the other half goes back into BeadWorks to purchase more materials. If the youth also spends time vending at our market table they receive the full retail price of their piece. They are always happy to receive donations of beads new or used. If you have something you might like to donate it can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at our new location at 179 Murray Street.

BeadWorks will also be hosting our first jewellery house party this December where party-goers will have the opportunity to purchase their designs while enjoying refreshments and good company. Please contact Judi Tedlie or Kate Greenland at (613) 230-4663 or email Judi or Kate for further information.

179 Murray St. | Ottawa, ON K1N 5M7 | (613) 230- 4663

Pegasus Gift & Thrift Store – www.pegasustoronto.ca/store.html

One of only a few remaining small independent Thrift Shops in Toronto, they make shopping an adventure! Their Thrift Store is an exciting little second hand shop where treasures of all sorts abound, including wonderful, well-priced clothing. All the goods are donated by their friends and neighbors and it is operated by volunteers, Pegasus participants and staff. Opportunities for participants to work at the store add another dimension to their regular program activities and supplements other vocational experiences in the community.

All year long you can purchase ‘gifts that give back…’ from their Studio line; greeting cards and lovely beaded bookmarks, baking mixes, soaps and one of a kind birdhouses. These are attractive and well made by their participants and volunteers.

LOCATION:
931 Kingston Rd.
(Near the southwest corner of Kingston Rd. and Silverbirch Ave.)
Please phone before dropping in.
416-913-2544

Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) YOU Made It – www.you.on.ca

This holiday season, consider YOU Made It for your corporate and personal holiday gifts giving needs. All their quality products are made by local youth as part of a shills development program. Proceeds from each sale support much needed programs and service for youth.

Children’s Muskoka Chair – $69.99 plus tax
Holiday Gift basket – $39.99 plus tax

For more information, delivery options or to place an order contact: the Youth opportunities Unlimited Sales Manager at 141 Dundas Street, 2nd Floor, London, ON, N6A 1G3.

Email: sales@you.on.ca | T: (519)808-2729 | F: (519) 432-2883

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Tags: allyson hewitt, Social Innovation