SVP Toronto Newsletter - Winter 2009
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Dear Partners and Supporters, What a wonderful autumn it has been - weather wise and especially for Social Venture Partners Toronto. I'm particularly pleased that we continue to embrace new partners and experience positive renewal of existing partners’ engagement and charitable giving, especially because this is occurring in a tough economic environment. Your contributions of time and money are the foundation of SVPT's success and our ability to collaboratively help community-based charitable organizations reduce poverty in Toronto. Thank you, from all of us! Kathryn Wortsman Skills for Change is our third investee! Founded in 1982, SfC provides language training, skills upgrading, employment preparation programs and settlement support. The agency has served over 110,000 newcomers in the past 27 years, and, on average, 70% of clients find work in their chosen fields. SfC also supports employers to hire immigrants and refugees through "diversity at work" services, including recruitment and training in cross-cultural diversity and workplace-based language programs. Read the press release here.
Education in Brief
The second half of this year offered four varied and well received education sessions that intended to deepen the knowledge of our partners. Read about them here.
MicroSkills Update
In spring 2009, we set our initial focus as supporting Community MicroSkills Development Centre to create a Centre of Excellence for Women and Newcomers, to generate new approaches, models and strategies to help women and newcomers, especially professionals, fulfill their economic and social potential. To build support for the Centre and to achieve quick profile and service reach MicroSkills decided to hold a women's leadership forum. Accordingly, much of our early volunteer support was aimed at ensuring a successful kick-off event. Read more.
Phoenix Print Shop Update
There have been some changes at the Phoenix Print Shop at Eva's Initiatives since our May update. Andrew Macdonald, who has been the business manager since it was founded, has been promoted to General Manager of Eva's Phoenix, one of the three shelters operated by Eva's Initiatives, the parent organization. In his new position. Andrew retains a supervisory role with the Phoenix Print Shop, so we continue to work with him as well as with Alexandra Djukic, who is now the interim manager of the enterprise. Read more.
Social Enterprise - A Family Affair
Ted White, a founding SVPT Partner in 2007, is having an impact beyond SVP Toronto. Through his work with the Phoenix Print Shop at Eva’s Initiatives, Ted saw first-hand the challenges faced by under-housed and at-risk youth and the beneficial impact that vocational training can offer disadvantaged youth. Through his SVPT involvements, and drawing from a career’s worth of business experience, Ted saw opportunities for SVPT to help the Print Shop address some of the complex business issues that constrain their success. Read more.
Social Enterprise Angels
On Nov 19th SVPT co-hosted a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style competition among social enterprises held at MaRS in downtown Toronto. The evening was part of the 3rd Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise organized by the Social Enterprise Council of Canada. Attended by close to 300 people, judges assessed 4 diverse competitors from across Canada. The judges were personal investors and conference collaborators. The winner, RivInt Interpretation and Translation Services (www.rivint.ca), won $20,000 award, $20,000 loan and pro bono consultation by the judges. The conference and this event were coordinated by Sarah Lang; Robin & Dan co-hosted; Kathryn was a judge. The event will be featured on CBC’s Sunday Edition in January.
Message from Connie Clement
Hello Toronto Partners, You all received the media release about my arrival in mid-September so I won't bore you with my background. I will tell you that I am thrilled to be here. I've met many of you, but not yet everyone. I am very impressed by partners' commitment, energy, skill, expertise and values - what a great team to join. One of my priorities is meeting you and hearing your voice. Read more. Year-end Giving Fulfill your charitable giving aspirations. Consider giving extra to SVPT. If you’re not a partner yet, please contact Connie for more information – joining before Dec 31 will provide a 2009 tax receipt. |
Upcoming Events Thursday, January 21 Last week in February Wednesday, March 24 Phoenix Print Shop Cards Holiday cards are available now! Every card sold directly supports the youth artist, as well as their award-winning Foundations of Print training program. Please visit their online store to place an order. Skills for Change Mentors Do you want to mentor a job ready internationally trained professional? Our latest investee, Skills for Change, has been offering mentoring to immigrants since 1993. Click here to find out how you can get involved, or contact Srna Stambuk. Partner Profiles COLIN RAMKISSOON MONICA YEUNG An election is planned for the March annual general meeting. Watch for nominations information in the new year, and think about whether you’d like to stand for Leadership Committee. Can you Host an Intern? A mid-career academic - enthusiastic, strategic, friendly - will intern with us in June. We need to offer housing. Would you welcome a guest for 2 weeks or a month? If so, contact Connie. Reading Corner See our website newsroom for recent news releases and articles of interest. Follow us on Twitter! |
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