Just Work: A Social Enterprise in Vancouver

What started out as a ministry that fed people in need has grown into a business that employs people in need. What began as a church's "hand out" of food for the hungry has turned into a "hand up" to the homeless and disabled. This is the story of the JustWork Economic Initiative, a Christian social enterprise that brings the hope of the gospel to the community in Vancouver.

This week I had the privilege to interview Sam Berthoud, the General Manager of JustWork. Many years ago, Grandview Calvary Baptist Church started an "Out of the Cold" ministry to provide food and shelter to people in need. There were many homeless and disabled people that were blessed by this ministry, located on the Eastside of Vancouver. As the ministry matured, the members of Grandview Church began thinking of better and more creative ways to help these people in need. Feeding them and opening up the church for them to stay in were temporary solutions.

In 2005, JustWork started to provide work for the people in the Out of the Cold program. Many of these people suffer from physical disabilities, mental illnesses, homelessness, and addictions, which create barriers preventing them from finding appropriate, steady employment. Because JustWork is a social enterprise focused on social and economic outcomes, they are able to offer 1) safe places of employment with more flexible work hours and job expectations, and 2) work experience and skill development enabling a transition to more regular job situations.

Over the past five years, JustWork has employed 140 people in the business of home renovations, pottery, and catering. Last year JustWork generated over $300,000 in revenues (including donations) and is looking to grow their business so that more people can be employed. As a business, they offer competitive rates and pay their employees a bit above minimum wage for jobs that require minimal trade skills. There are four branches of JustWork: JustWork Home, JustPotters, JustCatering, and JustRenos.

George (not real name) is a disabled man in his 60s. His disability has prevented him from finding a paying job with a business, but he's able to work part-time with JustWork. The government provides George with a disability income of $900/month. He works one day a week at JustWork and is able to make an additional $500/month to supplement his income. This makes a huge difference in his life, and allows him to live in a more decent living space and afford better food and clothing. His job at JustWork also gives him the dignity of contributing to society and earning an income. JustWork employs many people like George part-time, that prefer and are not able to work full-time so that they can continue to benefit from the disability income.

Sam says JustWork prefers to hire people that have support around them (i.e. a church or community), because they have a far better chance of resisting the temptation of going back to their old lifestyle. JustWork always has more workers than business, and a wait list of people wanting to find work.

How can you help? JustWork is looking for more business. Jobs like painting or deck renovations. Jobs like fencing or redo-ing kitchens or gardening. People interested in buying pottery. Catering jobs like conferences or weddings. If you know anyone that needs this type of work done, please have them contact Sam Berthoud at sam.berthoud@justwork.ca or visit their website www.justwork.ca. More information can be found at their blog www.thejustworkblog.blogspot.com.

I am a member of Tenth Church in Vancouver, and we also have an Out of the Cold ministry. As this ministry matures, I hope that our community might be able to join or start a social enterprise like JustWork to help our members in need find work as well. This is a hopeful, creative way that business can bring honour to God and change the community for the better.

Do you know of any social enterprises? If so, please let me know, as I am collecting the stories of social enterprises in Canada.