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 900+ 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 three social enterprise businesses rooted in four different industries: landscaping, food service, childcare, and retail. Each of HopeWorks’ social enterprise internship 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.
Kindred Kitchen
Kindred Kitchen is a cafe and coffee shop which partners with Housing Hope and other community agencies to provide job training for individuals experiencing homelessness and other barriers to employment. 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, housemade dressings, marinades, and baked goods
Ground Works Landscaping
Ground Works Landscaping was established in January 2011 as HopeWorks’ first social enterprise. Through employment and training, this business provides pathways to professional careers in the Landscaping and Irrigation Industry. Currently servicing almost 70 properties, Ground Works Landscaping offers quality landscape services for commercial and residential properties in Snohomish County at competitive prices.
Ground Works Landscaping
Ground Works Landscaping was established in January 2011 as HopeWorks’ first social enterprise. Through employment and training, this business provides pathways to professional careers in the Landscaping and Irrigation Industry. Currently servicing almost 70 properties, Ground Works Landscaping offers quality landscape services for commercial and residential properties in Snohomish County at competitive prices.
RENEW Home & Decor
RENEW Home & Decor opened its doors in July 2013 as HopeWorks’ third social enterprise. Residents of transitional and affordable housing who are work-ready enter the RENEW Internship Program to develop a variety of skills that enable them to find an entry-level job in an industry with a career pathway. The skills they learn include customer service, online marketing, and inventory management. 20% of all proceeds from sales go to into Housing Hope and HopeWorks programs to help end poverty.
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.
Tomorrow’s Hope offers therapeutic services in partnership with ChildStrive and Community Health Center.
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 2020, Tomorrow’s Hope earned a behavioral health license from the State of Washington. This is one step toward Tomorrow’s Hope’s transformation into a therapeutic center, which would give us the ability to diagnose a child, define a treatment, and build therapeutic-type interactions into the classroom.