In October 2018, EPICentre launched a new and exciting program to support the charity and non-profit sector in Windsor-Essex! The program matches Odette School of Business students taking a course on social enterprise with local charities that need support with capacity building. The initiative is divided into two parts with the first phase running from October to December. During this phase, students develop and work through a diagnostic tool to explore key opportunities for charities to build capacity and grow as an organization. The second phase – which runs from January to April 2019 – helps charities address those areas of opportunities identified by the students in the first phase. With unique programming tailored to the charities’ needs, and a seasoned Community Leader in Residence (CLIR) to mentor the charities throughout the second phase, the program aims to build a stronger and more impactful charity sector in the community.

The charities taking part for this year’s cohort include: Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families; Windsor-Essex Families to Success (Housing Information Services); Life after 50; Connections Early Years Family Centre; Community Living – Essex County. Each charity has been working with a small group of students over the past month, and will continue to do so until December 2018. Charities also have the option to attend a range of workshops in the first phase, including: Systems Thinking and Capacity Building, Design Thinking for Social Innovation, Impact Investing and Social Finance, and more. Charities receive a stipend of $7000 for their participation in the two-phase program.

Stay tuned for further updates on the program as it develops.