There is a great deal of research on the benefits of social enterprise programs for youth experiencing homelessness; and over the last decade, the government has come to recognize the benefits of these programs as well. Interestingly, however, research and/or government funding is NOT how oneROOF’s social enterprise programs were born...

 

Early in my career at oneROOF, I had a very angry young man storm into my office. For what felt like the umpteenth time that day, he had been told by community members to “just get a job.”

 

He was frustrated, offended and yelling at me about it all. The points he was making, in a very loud voice, were actually quite valid...

 

How could he get a job with no education? How was he expected to get a job without having graduated high school? How was he expected to work, when no one would give him a chance to get any job experience.

 

I think, in that moment, he expected one of two things… either to be restricted for pushing his way into my office and yelling; or to be “social worked.” He was quite surprised when instead, I handed him a blank piece of paper and told him to write me a quick resume. He shakely wrote his name on the paper; then paused and asked me “what address to use." Afterall, he was homeless.

 

We then discussed what else needed to be on a resume – education, previous employment, certifications, and references. He stared at the piece of paper that contained his name – and the rest was blank.

 

For a few minutes we stared at each other; and then his face softened, his eyes welled up with tears and he said something to me I won’t soon forget. He said, “Sandy, I want to work, but my paper is blank so I don’t stand a chance.” It was in that moment that the idea of a social enterprise program at oneROOF took shape.

 

This young man and I spent the next hour discussing how important it was for him to be given a chance to develop transferrable and practical job skills. How he needed to have references that he could put on a resume in the future. How he was motivated to make the change happen in his life.

 

Together, this young man and I, created oneROOF Lunchbox – and later oneROOF Street Designs. Employment opportunities that, in a safe environment, would give youth – like this young man - a chance to change that blank page.

 

This is the impetus behind our Lunchbox, Street Designs, Woodworking, and Thrift Store. To provide opportunities for the youth we support – now and in the future – to learn a variety of skills that will assist them to find main stream employment. To provide them with volunteer support, that will one day act as references and mentors to them. To give them the chance to change what was once a blank piece of paper.