For the past several weeks the Empathy Factory has been teamed up with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education Development (CEED) on a pilot program that we’re calling Enterprising: Empathy.

The purpose of Enterprising: Empathy is to instill a sense of empathy and compassion through the practice of social entrepreneurship. Students are learning the skills required to start and run a business, and framing their ideas through a philanthropic/social-good lens.

Today we’re working with the students in the Youth Pathways and Transition (YPT) program that’s held at the Quinpool Education Centre. In the spirit of the fast-approaching holiday season, the students have decided to make and sell festive wreaths and donate 100% of their proceeds to the Lodge that Gives (an adjunct of the Canadian Cancer Society).

They’ve named their social enterprise, “Bigger than Bill$” as their message is that while they are running a business, the goal goes far beyond the profit; it’s all about the cause.

The savvy marketers they are, YPT developed a tag line that you won’t soon forget:

“Wreaths for a Reason; Bringing Joy to the Season”

I’ve purchased two wreaths, and if you’d like to do the same, let me know and I’ll take your order to them ($20 apiece).

I’ll keep the updates coming.

Yours,
Blair

Author: Meghan S.

In February I was approached by Blair and Stefanie with the opportunity to run their in-school program for Mr. Terry Williams grade 6 class at the Central Spryfield Elementary School. During the following two and a half months I spent an hour weekly working with the class organizing a Car Wash and Fun Fair event at the school. On May 12th, hundreds of locals came out in support of The Pheonix House, IWK Foundation, and The Empathy Factory purchasing hats donated by Steven Adams (area counsellor), donated baked goods, playing games and having the students and Scotiabank volunteers wash their cars. During the weeks leading up to the event, and during the day food donations for the Parker Street Food Bank were collected. By the end of the event the students raised an amazing $979 dollars while collecting five boxes of food. NorthWest Arm branch of Scotiabank has committed to matching the donations received meaning the impact the students created is $1958.00.

During the time spent in the classroom it was amazing to watch the students work on and develop skills I could only dream of having learned at such a young age. The students made cold calls for donations to local organizations including Heppies Bakery, Subway, and Canadian Tire to name a few. Preparing all the Bristol board posters, placing flyers in local community centers and bulletin boards and coming out to run the event was all part of the process. By day’s end the students were amazed at how much their hard work in organizing and successfully running the event paid off. Thank you to The Empathy Factory for the opportunity to participate with such an amazing initiative. I look forward to working with you in future classrooms and events around Nova Scotia.