We became aware of Toronto's Self-Reliance Solutions Inc. (SRS) during the pitch session by students of the Ontario School for Social Entrepreneurs at day one of the 2012 Social Finance Forum at Toronto's MaRS Centre. Self-Reliance Solutions offers commercial maintenance and cleaning services to the Toronto area and was formerly known as the Self-Reliance Workers' Co-op.
SRS is a community initiative aiming to provide gainful employment to members of the Regent Park community, many of whom live in the rent-geared-to-income units of Toronto Community Housing, today employing 20 members of the community and being run independently by tenants of Regent Park. A full list of the comprehensive range of services offered by SRS is available on their website.
Contact Information
Self-Reliance Solutions website
Self-Reliance Solutions on LinkedIn
Self-Reliance Solutions on Twitter
Maintenance Services Co-ops
Self-Reliance Solutions Creates Employment Opportunities in Toronto
Trend Themes
1. Community Maintenance Services - There is an opportunity for businesses to provide maintenance and cleaning services to marginalized communities and create gainful employment opportunities.
2. Socially Responsible Co-ops - Businesses can operate as worker-owned cooperatives to provide gainful employment to underprivileged members of society while still remaining profitable.
3. Rent-geared-to-income Employment - Businesses could explore opportunities to provide employment to individuals living in rent-geared-to-income units of affordable housing in their communities.
Industry Implications
1. Janitorial Services - There is an opportunity for janitorial services companies to collaborate with communities in providing employment opportunities for marginalized individuals.
2. Affordable Housing - Socially responsible businesses could explore opportunities to provide employment to residents of affordable housing complexes.
3. Cooperative Businesses - Cooperative businesses can be started to benefit communities with the mission of providing gainful employment opportunities to its members.