Social Purpose Enterprises: Case Studies for Social Change presents case studies of twelve organizations that operate in a growing niche within the Canadian social economy: market-based entities supported by a nonprofit organization and operated for the benefit of a workforce who lives on the margins of society.
Using a variety of research methods, the contributors examine the work of social purpose enterprises in a range of businesses including food service, child care, furniture, courier services, and microfinance. Combining the experience of academics and practitioners, each chapter analyses the economic, social, and policy implications of the case.
Building on research published in Researching the Social Economy (2010) and Businesses with a Difference (2013), Social Purpose Enterprises provides a valuable resource for those involved in the growing push to encourage market-based solutions for those on the social margins.
Purchase Social Purpose Enterprises: Case Studies for Social Change
Authors:
Jack Quarter is a professor and co-director of the Social Economy Centre at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.
Sherida Ryan is a post-doctoral fellow, co-director of the Social Economy Centre and faculty member with the Adult Education and Community Development Program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.
Andrea Chan is a doctoral candidate in the Adult Education and Community Development Program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.
Contents:
| • | Social Purpose Enterprises: A Conceptual Framework JACK QUARTER, SHERIDA RYAN, ANDREA CHAN |
| Section A: Marginalized by Stigma | |
| • | Common Ground Co-operative: Supporting Employment OptionsFRANCES OWEN, ANNE READHEAD, COURTNEY BISHOP, JENNIFER HOPE, JEANNETTE CAMPBELL |
| • | When the Business is People: The Impact of A-Way Express Courier KUNLE AKINGBOLA |
| • | Miziwe Biik Case Study: Microloans in the Urban Aboriginal Community MARY FOSTER, IDA BERGER, KENN ROSS, KRISTINE NEGLIA |
| • | Groupe Convex: Measuring its Impact USHNISH SENGUPTA, CAROLINE ARCAND, ANN ARMSTRONG |
| Section B: Women on the Social Margins | |
| • | Inspirations Studio at Sistering: A Systems Analysis AGNES MEINHARD, ANNIE LOK, PAULINE O’CONNOR |
| • | Micro-Entrepreneurs in Economic Turbulence: The Alterna Savings Micro-Finance Program EDWARD T. JACKSON, SUSAN HENRY, CHINYERE AMADI |
| • | Canadian Immigrants and their Access to Services: A Case Study of a Social Purpose Enterprise MARLENE WALK, ITAY GREENSPAN, HONEY CROSSLEY, FEMIDA HANDY |
| • | Wellbeing of Childcare Workers at the Learning Enrichment Foundation, a Toronto Community Economic Development Organization ANDREA CHAN, ROBYN HOOGENDAM, PETER FRAMPTON, ANDREW HOLETON, EMILY POHL WEARY, SHERIDA RYAN, JACK QUARTER |
| Section C: Urban Poor and Immigrants | |
| • | Doing Markets Differently: FoodShare Toronto’s Good Food Markets MICHAEL CLASSENS, J.J. MCMURTRY, JENNIFER SUMNER |
| • | Stakeholders’ Stories of Impact: The Case of Furniture Bank ANDREA CHAN, LAURIE MOOK, SUSANNA KISLENKO |
| • | Northwood Translation Bureau JENNIFER HANN, DANIEL SCHUGURENSKY |
| Section D: Youth | |
| • | Market-based Solutions for At-Risk Youth: River Restaurant RAYMOND DART |
| • | Social Purpose Enterprises: A Modified Social Welfare Framework JACK QUARTER, SHERIDA RYAN, ANDREA CHAN |
