Jonathan Forster

MetroWorks Employment Association

On December 13th, 1977, a non-profit organization (Human Resource Development Association, now MetroWorks Employment Association), "was launched by the city of Halifax largely through the efforts of the municipal social planning department to provide learning, training, and employment for people on social assistance as an alternative to welfare." When funds were limited, we understood that new solutions needed to be found to use existing resources better and turn them into sources of growth. We pioneered the use of welfare funds to capitalize businesses that hired persons facing persistent multiple barriers to employment. Our approach would change how North America, and the world, looked at poverty reduction, the rising costs of social assistance, unemployment, and economic development. Today, our idea of creating hybrid business structures (for-profit and non-profit) continues to drive transformational change. By working across traditional areas of responsibility, we develop new products and services to address the rising needs of marginalized Nova Scotians. Our organizational structure and mandate were described as "one of the most imaginative initiatives in North America;" our activities have been referenced in numerous books, reports, and case studies, gaining us international recognition. We are best known for our Stone Hearth Bakery, Cafe & Catering, Options Works Activity Program and Cunard Learning Centre Program business units. We have experienced rapid growth in the last three years, and our activities now include: • Three youth employability programs (EDGE Halifax, EDGE Bridgewater, ReADY Windsor) • Youth Outreach and Mentoring (POSSE Windsor, Lower Sackville and Sipekne'katik • Common Roots Urban Farms (BiHi Halifax, and Woodside, Dartmouth) • Mobile Food Market • Stone Hearth Keshen Goodman Library Café • Full Circle Projects and Landscaping