The Community Benefits Agreement for the Millennium Southeast False Creek Properties Ltd. is a great example of what happens when the government, the business sector, and the community partner to bring about economic revitalization.

Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are project-specific contracts between owners/developers and community organizations to ensure that local community residents share in the economic benefits associated with major developments. The CBA for Southeast False Creek Olympic Village is a partnership among Millennium Southeast False Creek Properties Ltd, the City of Vancouver and BOB.

Through the CBA, Millennium made a commitment to provide and facilitate the following benefits:

• $750,000 contributions to BOB to be used for job readiness and skills-development training (CORE: Construction Orientation to Retain Employment Program) and job coaches
• 100 construction jobs for inner-city residents
• $15 million of goods and services purchased from inner-city businesses

The agreement has seen remarkable success to date: over $25.5 million worth of goods and services have been purchased from inner-city suppliers and supporters, 63 inner-city residents have graduated from job training and 102 have been employed having come through either the training programs or direct placement. 83 of these graduates have been hired onto the Olympic Village project and 74 have been successful on the job or are still working as of the end of January 2009.

Lani Johnson, an Employment Support Coordinator at BOB, works on the in-take and support of the training and employment of the CBA. “It’s exciting to see the results so far, and how the CBA has given opportunity to individuals who have been out of the workforce for a while,” she describes, “There’s a group of individuals in the inner city who are practical, hands-on, and ready to work. Many of them have not been able to find work because of their location, lack of experience or age.

The CBA has provided a viable option for employment counsellors, agencies, shelters to send individuals who are ready to work but just need someone to give them a chance or the practical training to get on the job. ”

Hendrik Hoekema, the Executive Director at Vancouver Eastside Educational Enrichment Society and an active community partner of the CBA, is also pleased with the residents placed in jobs. Additionally, he recognizes the future potential that CBAs may bring for inner-city revitalization. “100 [job opportunities for inner-city residents] is great, ” he says, “What if we had another 200, or 300 being trained for and working in a variety of positions? This is one step, and having more CBAs would be great. We shouldn’t stop here.”

Ancient invention meets inner-city revitalization with the brand new Chinatown pedicab service that will be launching this summer.

The arrival of these bicycle rickshaws on January 14 was a landmark for this community led initiative that has been in the works for over a year. Heading the pedicab project is the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Association (VCBIA).

“Part of the mandate of the VCBIA is to encourage visitors and local residents alike to discover Chinatown,” Albert Fok, President of the VCBIA explains. “So, the idea behind this project was to use pedicabs as a ‘vehicle’, pun intended, to introduce Chinatown and give people a tour of what it’s like”.

The pedicabs are part of the Chinatown Revitalization Program to encourage tourists and local residents alike to come and see Chinatown in a fun and novel way. The pedicab operators will also act as tour guides, giving suggestions and telling stories about the neighbourhood.

“The pedicabs have cultural significance,” Assistant City Manager Wendy Au describes, “Chinatown has a lot of competition right now, but it has an ‘edge’ that is really about the culture, the heritage and the history of it, and the pedicab project fits right into that”.

“This project also promotes partnership and collaboration; it’s community building,” Ms. Au describes. The Vancouver Agreement (comprised of the three levels of Canadian government) and Bell were main sources of funding behind the initiative. As a community agency, BOB served as a resource. “Working with BOB was very encouraging,” Mr. Fok says, “They helped us track sponsorship, and helped point us in the right direction and to the right personnel”.

Stay tuned as the pedicabs prepare for an official launch this summer.

Do you wonder what kind of a difference BOB is making in the inner-city community?

• The Vancouver Social Purchasing Portal (SPP) has been successful in helping secure over $2.5M worth of procurement for inner-city businesses to date

• The Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) between the City of Vancouver, Millennium, and BOB has resulted in 102 inner-city residents being hired in construction jobs, not all of whom needed pre-employment training. To date, 90 people entered the CORE training program and 63 have successfully completed it. Additionally, $25.5 million worth of goods and services have been purchased from inner-city suppliers and supporters

• BOB has granted local businesses $128,750 in funds for consultants to improve 18 business processes, and has leveraged an additional $462,039

• BOB’s Loan program has 18 applicants; distributed $52,500 to two; and leveraged an additional $12,500 to date

• Since beginning in 2006, BOB’s Supported Employment Program has directly supported 271 inner city residents through finding employment opportunities and providing on-job support

Core to Success: Getting the Connections Right

In spring 2008, Roderick Green was living in a Salvation Army shelter. At 48 years old, he had lost his job as a bartender, been evicted from his apartment and watched his savings whittle away. When he met Lani Johnson, Employment Support Coordinator at Building Opportunities with Business (BOB), things finally took a turn for the better. Johnson connected Green with the Construction Orientation to Retain Employment Program (CORE).

CORE is a six-week employment-training program provided by the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) at the RONA Vancouver 2010 Fabrication Shop.

“CORE prepares workers for entry level construction jobs, ” explains Keith Sashaw, President of the VRCA. “They learn safe work practices, effective interpersonal skills, and competent handling of construction tools and materials. As well they can earn seven industry certificates including first aid and fall safety. ”

As Green described it, “After CORE, you walk into the scene with more confidence. You’re ready to apply everything you learned and to be as productive as you can. ”

Few people would be able to find their way to the CORE program and to the jobs on the other side without the connector: Building Opportunities with Business (BOB).

“BOB’s role is to be a connector and a resource to the businesses, agencies and the residents of the inner city, ” Johnson explains.

Johnson seeks referrals from over 40 inner-city agencies that support people looking for a new start. She and a VRCA job coach screen applicants to ensure that they are ready for the opportunity. They then connect with the companies on the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Village site, and other employers, to find placements.

The support continues on as CORE graduates transition into the job. BOB provides basic equipment for the job, post employment support and can help fund further training through BOB’s Workforce Development Fund. In addition, the program supplies breakfast, lunch and bus tickets until the first pay cheque arrives.

In just over a year, the program has placed 102 people in constructions jobs, not all of whom needed pre-employment training. To date 90 people entered the CORE program and 63 successfully completed it.

CORE is made possible by an innovative Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) signed in November 2007 between the City of Vancouver, Millennium Southeast False Creek Properties Limited (the developer constructing the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver) and BOB. The agreement provides for 100 jobs, a minimum of $15 million in goods and services purchased from inner-city suppliers as well as $750,000 in training funds for inner-city residents.

Roderick Green is employed as a roofer now. He was offered the job the day before his CORE program ended. He is currently working his way out of debt and hopes to apprentice as journeyman roofer.

“Bit by bit everything is coming together,” said Green. “Lani has helped me in so many ways. I can’t explain how grateful I am. This program worked for me and it could work for many, many others. ”

Are you:

• A business looking for business development support, to locate or connect to other inner-city businesses?
  E-mail Brian at brian.smith@bobics.org or call 778-328-7668
• An employer willing to hire from the inner-city with support from BOB?
  E-mail Liz at liz.charyna@bobics.org or call 778-328-7669
• A socially responsible business or social enterprise who wants to join the Social Purchasing Portal?
  Go to www.sppvancouver.org
• An organization that wants to support BOB's work?
  E-mail Shirley at shirley.chan@bobics.org or call 778-328-7670; or
• An inner-city resident looking for employment opportunities?
  Email Lani at lani.johnson@bobics.org or call 788-328-7674.

With years of experience working with people who have gone through trauma and crisis situations, as well as in developing community programs for at-risk youth, Lani Johnson joined the BOB team in October 2007.

As the Employment Support Coordinator at BOB, she connects job-seekers from the inner-city to employers and supports both the individual and the company as a resource to work through any issues that may arise on the job. She currently works on the Southeast False Creek Olympic Village Community Benefits Agreement where she connects the community and individuals in the inner-city to training and jobs in construction, in particular on Vancouver’s Olympic Village site.

“It’s a privilege to work with individuals as they overcome so many barriers,” she describes, “They courageously make decisions everyday that result in life changes. They’re the ones who are making a difference, and I get to be a resource and a support as they transition into work.”

Her passion for the inner-city and the residents who live here is evident even in her free-time. An avid photographer, she laughingly admits, “When I’m not in the office, you’ll probably find me wandering around the Downtown Eastside with my camera.”

BOB-hosted events

Inner-City Business Development Seminars

Join Building Opportunities with Business (BOB) & Business Objects for 3 upcoming Business Development Seminars.

Get big ideas and practical tips from experienced business leaders in a small group setting. Take the chance to ask questions and get advice about your business.

1) Marketing to Grow Your Business, Even in a Recession
Date: Wednesday, February 4th, 8-9:30am

2) Business to Business Sales Strategies that Pay
Date: Wednesday, March 4th, 8-9:30 am

3) Navigating Purchasing Process: The Key to Corporate & Government Contracts
Date: Wednesday, April 1st, 8-9:30am

Cost: Free. Seminars will take place at BOB’s office at 325 Main St Vancouver (parking available at rear). Please RSVP to Kina Kenyon kina.kenyon@bobics.org with Subject Line: Business Seminar.

Employer Breakfasts

A partnership with Potluck Café Society and BOB. Breakfast presentation and discussion for employers who are interested in being part of the revitalization of the inner-city and increasing employment opportunities for local people. 8-9 AM at the BOB office. Breakfast, networking and discussion. Please contact Liz for more information or to RSVP 778-328-7669 or liz.charyna@bobics.org.

Upcoming Employer Breakfast dates: Thursday, Feb 26, Thursday, Mar 26 & Thursday, Apr 30.

Shine

Have you or are you currently participating in a Supported Employment Program through BOB, Potluck Café and the Cleaning Solution? You are invited to a tasty and free dinner where you can meet and share your workplace and life experiences with others. Join us at the Potluck Cafe located at 30 West Hastings Street in Vancouver on the following date and times: Please contact Alejandro to RSVP 778-328-7662.

Monday, February 16th  |  4 pm to 6 pm
Monday, March 23rd  |  4 pm to 6 pm
Monday, April 20th  |  4 pm to 6 pm

Industry Night

Events that bring together inner-city jobseekers and employers to network and learn more about employment opportunities in specific industries. 4-6 PM at the BOB office. Refreshments, door prizes, industry information and applications for the related BusinessLinks training programs. For more information contact jobpostings@bobics.org

Promotion  |  Tuesday, Feb 10th
Landscaping  |  Monday, Feb 24th

BusinessLinks training programs

For more information contact jobpostings@bobics.org

Promoter Training  |  (2 days) Feb 16/17
Landscaping Training  |  (5 days) March 2 – 6th

Plan It Hastings | April 16th, 2009

Mark your calendars! BOB hosts this two-part event:

SPP Mixer/Tradeshow — An opportunity for purchasing and supply members of the Social Purchasing Portal (SPP) to meet and greet, build new relationships and facilitate business to business sales. 3pm–5pm

UBC Hastings Street Project Presentations — “How can BOB work with the community to revitalize the Hastings corridor between Cambie and Main Street?” Presented by UBC Masters students in Community and Regional Planning. 5pm–7pm. Location TBA. For more information please contact Brian Smith at 778-328-7668 or brian.smith@bobics.org

Eastside Events

Music on Main — Steve Reich’s Drumming | February 3 & 4, 2009

Hosted by Music on Main, the Main Series at Heritage Hall welcomes Steve Reich’s Drumming to Vancouver. It's a rare chance to hear the intricate rhythms of musical Minimalism. Drumming brings together nine of Vancouver's top percussionists along with vocalists and flute. The Main Series takes place in the heart of Vancouver’s vibrant Main Street neighbourhood, at Main and East 15th Avenue. For more information please visit www.musiconmain.ca

Canada International Film Festival | Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Canada International Film Festival is an all day event dedicated to the creation of opportunities for the artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers and the film-going community. Each year the festival opens with a filmmaker reception allowing the film creators to interact with each other and the festival-going audiences. Hosted by the Firehall Arts Centre. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.firehallartscentre.ca

Awaji Puppet Theatre | February 12 to 14, 2009

The Cultural Olympiad and the Firehall Arts Centre present the Japanese AWAJI Puppet Theatre for three performances only. Dating back to the 16th Century, this form of puppet theatre combines the three elements of dramatic recitation, puppet manipulation and shamisen musical accompaniment. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.firehallartscentre.ca

Ashes | March 24–28, 2009

Eye Heart Productions presents Ashes at the Firehall Arts Centre. The play follows three brothers as they descend upon a family cottage to scatter the remains of their father, only to discover that there are things you can’t burn away. One drink leads to another and the maze of secrets that tie a family together, through the generations, begins to unravel in this searing comic drama from Vancouver maverick author and artist Bill Marchant. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.firehallartscentre.ca