The Women of Ontario Social Enterprise Network (WOSEN) is focused on catalyzing social innovation ‒ reorganizing (or reimagining) the way the current entrepreneurial system works to enable underrepresented and underserved women founders to participate and prosper in business and society. WOSEN is an innovative equity-centred collective impact initiative, incorporating a developmental evaluation approach, to create the critical resources, relational networks and stakeholder capacity that underpin a healthy, functioning and thriving ecosystem to foster more inclusive economies. The Interim Report captures key lessons and impact from the WOSEN experience that will shape the future of the program and may prove critical to the reorganization of the current entrepreneurial system, to foster the growth of women-owned and women-led ventures with a positive social and environmental impact.
2019-2022
Outstanding by Standing Together: The Story of WOSEN – Summary Interim Report
The Women of Ontario Social Enterprise Network (WOSEN) is focused on catalyzing social innovation ‒ reorganizing (or reimagining) the way the current entrepreneurial system works to enable underrepresented and underserved women founders to participate and prosper in business and society. WOSEN is an innovative equity-centred collective impact initiative, incorporating a developmental evaluation approach, to create the critical resources, relational networks and stakeholder capacity that underpin a healthy, functioning and thriving ecosystem to foster more inclusive economies. The Interim Report captures key lessons and impact from the WOSEN experience that will shape the future of the program and may prove critical to the reorganization of the current entrepreneurial system, to foster the growth of women-owned and women-led ventures with a positive social and environmental impact.
2019-2022
Outstanding by Standing Together: The Story of WOSEN – Interim Report
Urban Indigenous Youth for Change is a collaborative project focused on urban Indigenous youth aged 13 – 35 to embrace their role as change makers in their communities.
UIYFC supports youth in co-creating a path of opportunity for themselves and others by becoming aware, engaged and informed of the social economy sector. The project creates opportunities for Indigenous youth to learn and teach one another – bringing together Indigenous culture, land based knowledge and entrepreneurship skills. UIYFC works to engage urban Indigenous youth by connecting young change makers with peers, elders and knowledge keepers and community organizations. The youth-led UIYFC steering committee collaborates by focusing on strengths to create a better future for youth.
2015-Present
Jordan Tabobondung, Kristia Bissiallon, Lauren Doxtater, Rebecca Commanda, Samantha Kyle, Taylor Jolin
2012-2014
Social Enterprise for Northern Ontario (SENO) CoStarter for Change supports the development of early-stage, high growth social enterprises in Northern Ontario by offering social entrepreneurs access to capital, educational and support programs, workspace, and other services to help launch and grow their non-profit and for-profit ventures. In 2013, Ontario launched the Social Enterprise Strategy (https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-social-enterprise-strategy-2016-2021). The Social Enterprise Demonstration Fund (SEDF) (program closed) is one of the key commitments to the strategy, supporting 11 social finance projects throughout the province. A $4 million contribution has leveraged $6 million in private investment. Social Enterprise Northern Ontario (SENO) a collaboration led by PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise is one of the successful social finance projects, receiving $250,000 for two years.
If you are interested in applying for the SENO CoStarter for Change program, please download the Application package, the Required criteria and milestones toolkit and the Self-assessment toolkit.
Elizabeth Macmillan, Zach Falldien
Social Enterprise Demonstration Fund (SEDF)
Social Enterprise Northern Ontario (SENO)
PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
Required criteria and milestones toolkit
In partnership with an Indigenous Youth Council, NORDIK has developed the innovative Indigenous Youth Lead Youth Anti-Racism Program. This important initiative is intended to empower youth leaders to deliver culturally safe, Indigenous-focused anti-racism workshops in school and community settings. The objective of this program is to promote understanding and a shared responsibility in creating respectful community relationships with all youth in Ontario.
The Indigenous Youth Lead Youth Anti-Racism Program will help promote understanding and shared responsibility to create respectful community relationships with all youth in Ontario. It is designed to engage non-Indigenous youth through interactive, age-appropriate workshops in elementary schools, high schools, post-secondary schools and other community settings.
Discussions on race and ethnicity are personal. Many choose not to share experiences due to traumatic events and can find it challenging to explain the interconnected nature of racism. For Indigenous Peoples, the legacies of Residential schools, implications of the Treaty-making process and negative stereotypes all play a role in their experiences today.
In these workshops, participants discuss the negative impacts of racism and biases on First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in a culturally safe, supported environment. Youth participants learn about the importance of building respectful intercultural relationships and dialogue.
The program was designed with input from First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth and elders. Funding for the development of the program was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs.
This flexible program includes six 90-minute workshop modules that can be tailored to suit the grade level of the intended audience. A training materials are also available. Facilitators can choose to run some or all of the modules:
The beautiful, unique artwork that accompanies the Program materials was created by Patrick Hunter: https://www.patrickhunter.ca
Download the Training Guide and Workshop Package in English or French.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NORDIK would like to thank the following people for their important contributions to this program:
The Indigenous youth and Elders who comprised the Youth Advisory Circle, the students and staff of Pelican Falls High School, Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, and Keewaytinook Okimakanak Secondary School for hosting the Youth Advisory Circle and providing feedback on the program, and the Métis Nation of Ontario for reviewing content.
DISCLAIMER
The Indigenous Youth Leading Youth Training Guide and Workshop Package have been developed by the NORDIK Institute and were funded by the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. The views expressed in the Training Guide do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Ontario.
Lauren Doxtater, April Wesley, Zach Low, Sean Meades