Georgian College

GeorgianView 2013

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The Social Entrepreneurship Centre at the Orillia Campus is designed to inspire and facilitate social entrepreneurship at Georgian College. It is here that students from various Human Services and Community Safety programs complete their field placements by partnering with not-for-profits and local agencies to promote innovative and transformative social change processes. Together, they engage in capacity-building, team-based projects. Suzanne Addison-Toor is the faculty lead for the Social Entrepreneurship Centre. "Our work at the centre is designed to teach our students the business skills required for success in our social enterprises," Addison-Toor said. "It's a real trickle-down effect. We help community leaders meet their goals while our students learn how to create a business network through hands-on training." The Key Program was one particular success story. The objective was to provide services to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness that they may need to live more comfortably and with dignity. The students had to plan, market and organize a 'Day of Care' for Orillia's marginalized population. "The Day of Care was a collaboration of local businesses coming together to provide services to those who would normally not see those benefits," Addison-Toor said. "Dental care, massage therapy, foot care and a clothing drive were some of the services offered to the 150 people who attended the event." Since the centre opened, students have worked with a variety of partners including the Simcoe County Suicide Awareness Council, the YMCA, Camp Couchiching and Hospice Orillia. At the project onset, the students and community partner set the parameters and then the students work together to develop a project plan using their marketing knowledge and the fundraising, event planning and presentation skills they've learned. Such projects leave a lasting impact on both the students and the community. SOCIAl ENTREPRENEuRSHIP Social entrepreneurs harness business principles to create positive change in our communities Students Dara-Lynn Graham, Laura Dicker, Thom Moore, and Tamara Gordon put their heads together while working on projects for the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County and Information Orillia, through the school's Social Entrepreneurship Centre. Creating social change with business approach GeorgianView 2013/14 | 21

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