Thanks to funding from PacifiCan, administered by the Société de Développement Économique (SDE), La Boussole decided to innovate by developing a social enterprise: Ensemble, an eco-solidarity thrift store.
This project meets three major challenges for us: the employability of our members, encouraging more responsible consumption and obtaining equity to finance our projects.
The Ensemble thrift store supports people in professional reintegration by hiring two contract workers. These jobs are funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, through the Work Experience Opportunities Grant program. Our two salaried members carry out a variety of tasks: receiving, sorting, tidying and mending used clothing to give it a second life.
Reusing textiles in this way is part and parcel of a responsible approach that is very important to us at La Boussole. By offering a credible alternative to fast-fashion, which is very harmful to the environment, Ensemble is doing its part to promote more sustainable consumption. The project also enables us to broaden our range of affordable clothing to a wider population, in line with our vocation to fight poverty in Greater Vancouver on our own scale.
Products sold will come from a collection of second-hand clothing and accessories, decorative objects and exclusive creations acquired from some of our creative members. All proceeds from sales will be donated to La Boussole, and the funds raised will be used to support new and existing projects in the following sectors (non-exhaustive list): housing, care and health, harm reduction, homelessness awareness...
We look forward to seeing you at the Greater Vancouver markets (more dates to come, so stay tuned!):
The Pipe Shop - The Shipyards
115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
- Sunday, October 16, 2022
- Saturday, December 3, 2022
- Sunday, December 4, 2022
Heritage Hall
3102 Main Street, Vancouver
- Sunday, October 23, 2022
- Saturday, November 19, 2022
- Sunday, November 20, 2022
