SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

WHAT IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE?

There are many existing and evolving definitions of what a Social Enterprise is. We believe one of the best definitions comes from the Social Enterprise Alliance (SEA), a member organization supporting 500+ members and even more social enterprises:

“Social enterprises are businesses whose primary purpose is the common good. They use the methods and disciplines of business and the power of the marketplace to advance their social, environmental and human justice agendas.”

Three characteristics distinguish a social enterprise from other types of businesses, nonprofits and government agencies:

1. It directly addresses an intractable social need and serves the common good, either through its products and services or through the number of disadvantaged people it employs.

2. Its commercial activity is a strong revenue driver, whether a significant earned income stream within a nonprofit’s mixed revenue portfolio, or a for profit enterprise.

3. The common good is its primary purpose, literally “baked into” the organization’s DNA, and trumping all others.

WHAT IF A COFFEE SHOP, FURNITURE STORE, CHILDCARE CENTER, AND LANDSCAPING COMPANY COULD DISRUPT THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY?

OUR APPROACH TO FIGHTING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY

HopeWorks’ job training programs are provided through four social enterprise businesses rooted in four different industries: landscaping, food service, retail, and childcare. Each of HopeWorks’ social enterprise training programs are designed to give homeless and low-income individuals the life skills they need to move from long-term unemployment to careers in in-demand fields that offer reliable pathways out of poverty.

Photo of a man with long hair, weedwhacking a commercial greenway near the corner of an intersection.

Ground Works Landscaping

Ground Works Landscaping was established in 2011 as HopeWorks’ first social enterprise. Through employment and training, Ground Works provides pathways to professional careers in the landscaping and irrigation industries. Ground Works Landscaping offers quality landscape services for commercial and residential properties in Everett and surrounding Snohomish County at competitive prices.

Kindred Kitchen

Kindred Kitchen is a cafe and coffee shop that provides job training for individuals experiencing homelessness and other barriers to employment. Opening with the completion of HopeWorks Station North in 2019, trainees gain skills in the food service industry, enabling them to obtain stable employment.

Kindred kitchen serves high quality, hand-crafted espresso beverages, breakfast, and lunch utilizing locally sourced fresh produce, house-made dressings, and baked goods.

Photo of a job trainee in an apron with his legs and arms spread apart, in front of a piece of art by a cafe.
Photo of a job trainee in an apron with his legs and arms spread apart, in front of a piece of art by a cafe.

Kindred Kitchen

Kindred Kitchen is a cafe and coffee shop that providse job training for individuals experiencing homelessness and other barriers to employment. Opening with the completion of HopeWorks Station North in 2019, trainees gain skills in the food service industry, enabling them to obtain stable employment.

Kindred kitchen serves high quality, hand-crafted espresso beverages, breakfast, and lunch utilizing locally sourced fresh produce, house-made dressings, and baked goods.

Photo of a man leaning over a desk being refurbished, smiling at the camera.

RENEW Home & Decor

RENEW Home & Decor opened its doors in 2013. Residents of transitional and affordable housing who are work-ready enter the RENEW job training program to develop a variety of retail skills that enable them to find an entry-level job in an industry with a career pathway. Skills learned include customer service, online marketing, and inventory management.

Tomorrow’s Hope

Tomorrow’s Hope opened in 1992 to provide parents access to affordable childcare and child development services. In 2016, Tomorrow’s Hope was awarded an increased rating from the State Department of Early Learning’s Early Achievers voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System. This program serves as a model for helping children to achieve on-target development and enter kindergarten academically and socially ready.

In 2021, HopeWorks Social Enterprises transferred ownership from affiliate Housing Hope and began overseeing operations of Tomorrow’s Hope.

Photo of an older woman sitting on the ground, reading to a toddler in her lap.
Photo of an older woman sitting on the ground, reading to a toddler in her lap.

Tomorrow’s Hope

Tomorrow’s Hope opened in 1992 to provide parents access to affordable childcare and child development services. In 2016, Tomorrow’s Hope was awarded an increased rating from the State Department of Early Learning’s Early Achievers voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System. This program serves as a model for helping children to achieve on-target development and enter kindergarten academically and socially ready.

In 2021, HopeWorks Social Enterprises was transferred ownership from affiliate Housing Hope and began overseeing operations.