It’s beginning to feel a lot like change! Support social enterprise this holiday season!

All of us at Central City Foundation want to wish everyone a happy holidays.

The holiday season is always an important fundraising time for our community partners. That’s why we’d like to share with you the many ways you can show your kindness and community spirit by giving gifts that help people in the inner city improve their lives. From Christmas trees to ceramics to chocolates, there is something for everyone on your list. 

Aunt Leah’s tree lot and thrift stores

When you buy a Christmas Tree from Aunt Leah’s tree lots, you are supporting youth aging out of foster care, including young mothers and their children who are supported by Aunt Leah’s housing and support services.

Locations in Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam offer a great selection of high-quality, fresh-cut Christmas trees, condo-friendly potted trees and fragrant wreaths. Due to high demand, supplies of Christmas Trees are expected to go quickly this year. So don’t delay! Please note there will be no online sales this year. Visit their website for the latest information.

BWSS’ My Sisters’ Closet

Battered Women’s Support Services provides education, advocacy, and support services to women who are experiencing or have experienced violence. From a crisis line to victim support groups and counselling to legal support, BWSS helps women find safety.

For 20 years, My Sisters’ Closet has supported BWSS programs through social enterprise. They are currently running fantastic thrift stores online and at their Main Street and Commercial Drive locations. You can support BWSS by giving a gift card to a fashion fan in your life. Find out more at their website.

East Van Roasters

Focused on driving meaningful and multi-faceted social impact, East Van Roasters makes artisan coffee and bean-to-bar chocolate using organic fairly-traded beans. Gifts can be purchased from the café, which is located at 319 Carrall Street, at various coffee shops around the city or online. Digital gift cards are also available. Find out more on their website. 

Megaphone

Megaphone is a street magazine that provides flexible employment to homeless and low-income people around the city. Each year Megaphone publishes the Hope in the Shadows calendar, which features photos taken throughout the year by Megaphone vendors. This project is rooted in creating space for people experiencing poverty to tell their own stories through their own lens. Hope in Shadows shows the beauty, joy, friendship, and hope that exists alongside the hardship in the lives of people impacted by poverty. You can purchase a Hope in the Shadows calendar online for pick up or delivery at their website.

Atira’s EWMA Store

EWMA is a self-employment program that works with emerging women artists and artisans in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and sells their wares at their store located at 800 E. Hastings in Vancouver. From handmade jewellery to pottery, there are so many gifts ideas that really make a difference in the lives of the talented women at EWMA. You can find out more on their website.

JustPotters

JustWork Economic Initiative provides meaningful, flexible employment to people who face barriers to working in the traditional workforce. You can purchase pottery gifts at numerous locations throughout Vancouver or order directly from JustPotters. For more information, visit their website.

Woolwerx

Woolwerx is an artisanal wool studio that makes a difference. A social enterprise created by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, Woolwerx provides training and employment to women transitioning out of the legal system, homelessness and substance use challenges. For more information, visit their website.

Potluck Café and Catering

Take a break from cooking this holiday season by supporting this amazing social enterprise. Find out more on their website.

Central City Foundation

For your loved ones who have it all, please consider giving them the gift that help people in the inner city improve their lives. You can donate to Central City Foundation as a gift here.