On August 20, Building Opportunities with Business (BOB) held an Open House and social purchasing showcase to celebrate their move to a new office at 163 E. Pender as well as to recognize their valued partners.

The event was kicked off with a Chinese Lion Dance performed by Chinatown’s Kin Fung Athletic Association, a First Nation’s Blessing Ceremony conducted by Leslie Nelson from the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and complimentary pedicab tours from Dragon Rickshaw Adventures, an initiative that was championed by the Vancouver Chinatown BIA, Bell, and Building Opportunities with Business.

Norm Silins, General Manager of Olympic Services at Bell, presented BOB’s CEO Shirley Chan with $200,000 in additional funding at the ceremony. Since 2005, as part of the Vancouver Agreement, Bell’s funding has contributed to initiatives such as the development of industry clusters, negotiation of the Community Benefits Agreement, the creation of the Construction Directory and the expansion of the Vancouver Social Purchasing Portal. These initiatives have resulted in $44 million worth of procurement for inner city businesses. Bell’s involvement has also allowed the creation of BusinessLinks – a program that bridges the gap between unemployed residents and potential employers.

In addition to the cheque presentation, Building Opportunities with Business took the opportunity to recognize our active agency partners as well as the following employees, employers and volunteers:

• Outstanding Employees: Adrian Paulinovic, Roderick Green, Kelsey Duncan
• Outstanding Employer Partners: Frogfile Office Essentials, Recycling Alternative, ABM Canada
• Outstanding Volunteers: Steve Williams, SAP Business Objects; Morgan MacDonald, Offsetters; Charmina Malanay, Human Resources consultant.

The Open House also showcased local businesses and social purchasing partners including Frogfile, Enterprising Women Making Art (EWMA), JustWork, Metropolitan Fine Printers, The Cleaning Solution, Painter Sisters, Wa-2, Recycling Alternative, Mission Possible and Cafe Etico.

Some of the other sponsors and partners that made the event possible were the Vancouver Agreement, Millennium Development Corporation, Vancity, the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.

We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to all who were involved in making the event a success!

Building Opportunities with Business is pleased to celebrate the hire of a local person through EMBERS Temporary Staffing on the Oppenheimer Field House project. Thanks to Piet Rudgers, Director of Planning and Operations for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation who understood the community’s desire to have a local person hired on the project which entails major upgrades to the inner city park and its field house. Wording that followed the Southeast False Creek Project Office example for the foreshore redevelopment project was included in the Oppenheimer Park Request for Proposal (RFP) for local hiring and procurement. BOB then supported Bynett Construction, the general contractor of the project, to hire a local resident.

Building Opportunities worked with Reza Roodi, Employment Counsellor at the local community agency, EMBERS Temporary Staffing, to connect the general contractor to local jobseekers with appropriate skills. “We asked BOB for resumes of some possible candidates,” recalls Jarrett Hayes, Account Manager of the Oppenheimer project. “We received about 15 resumes and Audz was the best candidate out of all of them”.

Andrea ‘Audz’ Jeferis was hired in July as a carpenter with Bynett Construction and has since been offered a full-time position and an opportunity to continue her apprenticeship.

“It’s been working out really well for us,” Hayes describes, “The site managers are happy with her, and the company is happy with her”.

As a connector, BOB continues to encourage businesses to hire locally and buy local goods and services. We commend Bynett Construction for committing to honour the City of Vancouver and Park Board’s recommendation to use BOB as a resource for local procurement. We look forward to future opportunities to work with the City, agencies and businesses to be a connector and resource for hiring and procuring locally.

Click here to read more about Audz’s story

Keep an eye out for Building Opportunities with Business’ second annual Stakeholder Survey coming out this October. Independent consultant Helen Sheridan will be coordinating this online survey plus focus groups.

We value all of our existing partners and are excited to work to develop partnerships with new sponsors and funders in the upcoming months. We look forward to hearing from you on how Building Opportunities can be a better connector and resource in the future. We will also be looking to you for help in how we can continue to make a difference in the inner city through new and diversified funding sources.

Building Opportunities with Business is a member of Fast Track to Employment Coalition (FTEC), a partnership of inner city employment agencies. FTEC recently partnered with VANOC to put on a Materials Handler Training in August. 20 people were accepted into the program, and all 20 graduated with flying colours (earning Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System [WHMIS] and First Aid certifications).

Training consisted of one week of life-skills lessons and classroom work at Tradeworks Training Society, followed by a week of training on location in Delta at the VANOC warehouse facility. To date, 8 graduates have been hired at the VANOC warehouse in Delta. Special thanks to Holly Hofler, Project Coordinator, for her professionalism and thoroughness.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADS!

On September 10, Vancouver City Council awarded the right to operate a social enterprise café in the Woodward's complex to W2 Community Media Arts Centre. Building Opportunities with Business has been a proud supporter of W2: assisting them with business planning, partnership building, and assistance with presentations to the city. BOB is looking forward to continue working with W2 hiring and training residents for the new social enterprise café. W2 also signed an agreement with the socially responsible supplier Salt Spring Island Coffee. BOB is pleased to have been a party to this initiative which will benefit the inner-city.

When Chris Korres began AJK Moving Ltd. in 1993, his moving company consisted of a single panel van. In the last 16 years his business has grown to its current size of eight company-owned vehicles and over a dozen employees.

Located in Vancouver’s inner-city, AJK distinguishes itself from their competition by providing the best service possible to their clients throughout Greater Vancouver as well as by hiring inner-city residents through the Downtown Eastside agency, the Lookout.

Yet the road to this point has not been an easy one. By 2008, AJK found itself in need of a source for financing and hired Randy Clyne, an independent business consultant. Clyne’s search for a lending source was unsuccessful until he connected with Building Opportunities with Business.

In partnership with CCEC Credit Union, BOB was able to connect AJK with a shared loan to put towards business development. Through the loan the company enjoys financial stability and new signage on their trucks.

“The funding from BOB has not only helped stabilize the company, but also helped it to survive the recession and grow into a more stable and sustainable company”, Clyne says.

“[Korres] really cares about people, really cares that people are happy with the job that he does. It’s an important part of why AJK moving should stay around... especially in the Downtown Eastside, to have a moving company prepared to compromise on its rates and be flexible to save money for the client.”

SPECIAL OFFER: 10% Discount for all BOB Partners for AJK Moving services (including junk removal services). (Offer valid until December 31, 2009). Call 604-875-9072.

For more information about AJK Moving Ltd please go to www.ajkmoving.com or call 604-875-9072.

To contact Randy Clyne, Independent Business Consultant, please call 604-836-8072 or email randyclyne@gmail.com

For more information about BOB’s Loans Program please contact Brian Smith at 778-328-7668 or brian.smith@bobics.org

Andrea ‘Audz’ Jeferis is a walking example of attaining success through persevering in the face of obstacles.

In recovery and two and a half years clean, Audz worked with Reza Roodi, Director of Recruitment and Counsellor at EMBERS Temporary Staffing Solutions, to transition back into the workforce.

“Working with Reza was awesome,” she describes, “He really understands where I’m coming from and is very supportive”.

When an opportunity arose (through a partnership between the City, the Parks Board, Bynett Construction, and BOB) for a local hire on the Oppenheimer Field House Project, Building Opportunities was able to work with Reza to connect Audz to the carpentry position. Click here to read more on this story.

A skilled carpenter, Audz has demonstrated excellent work ethic and skill on the job site. “I really enjoy working on this project,” she says, “it’s a great place to work and there are really good people here”. She has since been offered full-time employment at Bynett Construction and an opportunity to continue her apprenticeship. Congratulations Audz!

“The whole concept of BOB being a connector totally fits with who I am. It completely fits with my values and what I’m about, and that’s why I’m really proud to be part of this organization.”
– Liz Charyna

Long before coming to Building Opportunities with Business, Liz Charyna had a passion for people. With a degree in Communication from Trinity Western University and extensive training in conflict resolution and career counselling, Liz joined the Building Opportunities team in March 2007. “I saw that BOB was doing good things,” she says, “and I loved the idea of working with an organization that was a resource and a connector with all agencies.”

Two and a half years later, Liz is still passionate about her work as the Manager, Partnerships and Supported Employment at BOB. In her role she develops partnerships in the community for employment, secures referrals for BOB programs, and works with employers to create customized training programs, BusinessLinks, that help connect the job seeker to the employer and to potential employment opportunities.

“I love being a connector, being a resource, being a part of the process of seeing people moving forward in their life,” she says, “It’s great engaging businesses around corporate social responsibility and working with employers who really want to give people a chance and give back to the community. I find that really rewarding”.

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 interested in hiring from the inner-city with support from BOB?
  Email Will at will.oakley@bobics.org or call 778-328-7665
• A corporation, foundation or individual 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.

BOB-hosted events

Job Fair | OCTOBER 3

Come check out exciting job opportunities with retailers from the new Woodwards centre. Taking place Oct 3; 10am – 2pm at Building Opportunities with Business (BOB); 163 E. Pender Vancouver.

Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (P.A.T.H.) Training | Oct 22

A training session for community service providers. A great event to learn strategies to help your clients set goals and plan, as well as an opportunity to network with other local community service providers. Registration fee of $50 includes lunch and a manual.

The session will take place on Oct 22, 9am – 4pm.

For more information or to register please contact Liz at liz.charyna@bobics.org or call 778-328-7669.

Business Development Seminars

SAP Business Objects and BOB are offering fall Business Development Seminars.

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

Seminars take place on the first Wednesday of the month, 8 – 9:30 am at BOB (163 E Pender St, Vancouver): Cost is $10.

Oct 7, 2009 — Business Law & Contracts

Nov 4, 2009 — IT Solutions for SMEs

Dec 2, 2009 — How Small Business can implement Corporate Social Responsible policies and practices

Register at: http://ca.brownpapertickets.com/event/68896

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:

The next SHINE events will be: Monday, Oct 26th 4pm- 6pm

Please contact Liz to RSVP 778-328-7662.

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.

Oct 13 – Building Services

For more information contact jobpostings@bobics.org

Eastside Events

Enterprising Non-Profits (enp) Presents: An Introduction to Social Enterprise | September 28

An orientation session for staff, board and volunteers of organizations that are considering launching, or are new to, social enterprise. The session will have a discussion of the definition of and reasons for starting a social enterprise, as well as discussion on Demonstrating Value and the social enterprise development path. Registration costs $100 for the first person and $50 for any additional people from the same organization.

For more information or to register please visit www.enterprisingnonprofits.ca.

The 5th Annual Drift- Art on Main Street and Opening Gala | Oct 2 – 4; Opening Gala on Oct 2

The Drift is an annual weekend local arts & culture festival taking place along Vancouver's trendy Main Street in artists' open studios and participating local shops, cafes and restaurants.

On Friday, October 2, 7 PM- midnight, The Main Art Drift Society presents the Drift 2009 Gala Fundraiser Dance & Silent Auction with Funk & Soul Big Band the Phonix. Kick off the Drift weekend and party with the artists! Enjoy hors d'oeuvres & cocktails and bid on a huge number of Silent Auction items, including donated artwork and fantastic merchandise and services from The Drift's Main Street retail partners and local businesses. The Gala will be at The Hangar, Centre for Digital Media, Great Northern Way Campus (577 Great Northern Way).

For more information please visit www.thedrift.ca.

Eastside Mural Launch | Oct 3; 2:15 pm – 5 pm

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Britannia Secondary School, the Eastside Mural Projects in association with the Britannia Community Services Centre Society, is pleased to invite you to the inauguration of four murals. In the event of rain, ceremonies will begin at the Russian Hall at 2:30 pm. Britannia will provide a shuttle van for those requiring transport, starting at Fratelli’s Bakery (2nd Ave & Commercial Drive).

Bring your bikes and join Mayor Gregor Robertson and artist Richard Tetrault on the art cycle tour of the new murals. Starting ceremony and ribbon cutting is at Fratelli’s Bakery, this is followed by Britannia Community Centre Gym “C”, then the Adanac Mural at Koo Produce (Adanac & Clark Drive), and Russian Hall (600 Campbell Avenue at Keefer St). Following the art cycle tour, join the artists, volunteers and members of the community for a celebration at the Russian Hall. Refreshments will be served.

For more information please visit www.eastsidemurals.com.

Resilient Cities: Urban Strategies for Transition Times | October 20-22

The call for sustainability and climate action, a quickly shifting energy future, and the lure of the green economy have North American cities scrambling to comprehend and manage the shift toward ecological practices and greater resilience. Resilient Cities is a ground-breaking conference that will explore strategies to make cities more robust as they face transformational challenges in sustainability, economy, and urban management. Speakers include Paul Hawken, Sarah Severn, Bill Rees, Mayor Gregor Robertson, Majora Carter, and many more.

The conference will be held at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (East), 999 Canada Place, Vancouver.

For more information or to register please visit www.gaininggroundsummit.com.

Heart of the City Festival | Oct 28–Nov 8

With a focus on the rich and diverse communities of the Downtown Eastside, the 6th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival celebrates the creative and committed artists and activists who thrive in the heart of Vancouver. The theme of the 2009 festival is Illuminating the Four Corners — the intersection of Main and Hastings Street at the very heart of the Downtown Eastside, and offers a special spotlight on Downtown Eastside, First Nation and Asian Canadian artists, producers, curators and residents and their perspective on ‘standing proud’ at the Four Corners.

This year’s festival features twelve days and over 80 events including musical showcases, play readings, spoken word, writing, films, poetry, processions, community dances, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, mixed media viewings, art talks, history talks, and history walks.

Most events are free or pay as you can. Visit www.heartofthecityfestival.com for full details.

Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music | Nov 20

A fundraising performance benefitting the work of First United Church Mission. Featuring the talents of Dee Daniels, Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra, James Caddell, Phoenix Chamber Choir and Troy McLaughlin. 8 pm at St. Andrew’s- Wesley United Church (1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver) ; tickets are $35.

For more information or to purchase tickets please contact Nina Matthews at 604-681-8365 (ext. 117) or at nina.matthews@firstunited.ca.

Eastside Culture Crawl | Nov 20-22

The Culture Crawl is an annual 3-day event that involves artists who live in Vancouver's Eastside in an area bounded by Main St., 1st Ave., Commercial Drive, and the waterfront. Painters, jewellers, sculptors, furniture makers, musicians, weavers, potters, writers, printmakers, photographers, and glassblowers; from emerging artists to those of international fame... these are just a sampling of the exciting talents featured during this unique chance to meet local artists in their studios.

Purchase something that strikes your fancy, commission something to be uniquely yours, or just browse through the studios and meet the artists, learning about their specific works of art, materials and tools, approaches and techniques. This is a once a year opportunity to meet many diversely talented artists and view their creations in the studios where they work.

The event is free; for more information on the event and the list of participating artists please visit www.eastsideculturecrawl.com.