Impact Conversations
Impact Conversations is a show about change makers getting things done. Sally Fazal and Lynn Fergusson of Social Impact Advisors talk to NGO leaders, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs and environmental innovators about their goals and how they're reaching them.
info_outline
Catalyzing Local Action on Climate Change through Collective Impact
05/12/2022
Catalyzing Local Action on Climate Change through Collective Impact
Bianca Caramento is the Manager of the Bay Area Climate Change Council, leading the collective impact initiative to advance and accelerate climate change action in the cities of Burlington and Hamilton. She shares with us the structure behind this collective, with her “backbone” role housed in the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College, supporting a collective of 14 community organizations. We hear about their Theory of Change – the master plan for reducing green house gases in the community by 50% by 2030, towards becoming net zero cities by 2050, and how this work was informed by data and community consultation. We see the power of this collective, supporting the work of the cities to address climate change while holding them to account. BACCC provides a model for catalyzing change that many seek to emulate in their own communities, be it for GHG reductions or for using a collective approach to address other local issues. Resources Bay Area Climate Change Council : BACCC plan/Theory of Change: BACCC Regional GHG inventory: BACCC Indigenous Collaboration Policy: BACCC members: Burlington Economic Development Corp Burlington Green Clean Air Hamilton Conservation Halton Environment Hamilton Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Hamilton Conservation Authority Hamilton Health Sciences Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association Hamilton Regional Indian Centre Sustainability Leadership United Way Halton & Hamilton Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/23075381
info_outline
The Prosperity Project: Creating a Prosperous Canada is Women’s Work
04/28/2022
The Prosperity Project: Creating a Prosperous Canada is Women’s Work
Foreseeing COVID negatively impacting women’s ability to stay and thrive in the workforce, Pamela Jeffrey, Founder and lead of The Prosperity Project was concerned about the impact this would have on not just the women themselves, but Canada’s prosperity. So, she took action, focusing on women, and particularly women of equity-deserving communities, including Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, and physically challenged. Pamela shares how this project came to be and the unique seed funding approach, with 60+ senior professional women committing to the cause – personally and financially. She breaks down the 5-point plan laid out from the start, aligned with 5 marketable programs including a goal-focused professional volunteer program supporting charities that focus on women and girls, and a Rosie the Riveter inspired initiative to get more women and girls into skilled trades and STEM for good, well-paying jobs. We uncover an important adjustment to the plan along the way, after recognizing a better approach to achieve their desired impact through advocacy for affordable childcare. Resources The Prosperity Project: Volunteer matching program: Rosie Resource Portal 2022 Annual Report Card on Gender Diversity and Leadership: The Zero Report: Pamela Jeffrey : . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/22931945
info_outline
The Home Depot Canada Foundation’s Commitment to Systems Change in Youth Homelessness
04/14/2022
The Home Depot Canada Foundation’s Commitment to Systems Change in Youth Homelessness
The Home Depot Canada Foundation has recently revisited their role and plans by developing a Theory of Change and Strategic Plan. We hear about the journey and results from Amy Bilodeau, Sr. Manager, Community Investment for the Home Depot Canada, a role which includes supporting the Home Depot Canada Foundation's mission to eradicate youth homelessness in Canada. This mission has remained intact, and with a renewed commitment, with the Foundation continuing to aim higher on its fundraising goals, and then applying those significant funds for systemic change. We hear about the importance of engaging all stakeholders in this work, from Home Depot Canada suppliers and vendors, to charities the Foundation supports, to youth who have experienced homelessness. They’ve taken on a more intentional focus on serving equity-deserving populations. We also hear that it’s about more than funding, and there’s a great fit for Home Depot Canada to be providing skills trades experience to youth, as an act of preventing homelessness. Resources The Home Depot Canada Foundation: Tradeworx: Helping youth experiencing homelessness access careers in the trades: Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/22777673
info_outline
The B Corp Movement, with PeaceWorks Technology Solutions
03/31/2022
The B Corp Movement, with PeaceWorks Technology Solutions
B Corp is a global movement of more than 4800 companies, with almost 400,00 employees in 79 countries around the world, all focused on making business a force for good. Together, B Corps are working to shift our global economy from a system that profits few to one that benefits all: advancing a new model that moves from concentrating wealth to ensuring equity, from resource extraction to energy generation, and from individualism to interdependence. We are happy to have Ian Kelly and Elaine Adema from PeaceWorks Technology Solutions, a fellow B Corp, on today’s episode. PeaceWorks is an employee- owned social enterprise that provides IT Services and Support, based out of Waterloo, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are a technology company, motivated by the impact their clients are making in the world. 65% of their clients are non-profit. They have been making the benefits of technology affordable and accessible to all organizations, including those with limited resources, for more than twenty years. In today’s episode, Ian Kelly, General Manager, and Elaine Adema, Account Manager at Peaceworks, talk about what motivates them about the B Corp movement, what the certification process is like, and the evolution of new B Corp standards around the world. They talk about how employees and customers respond to and are motivated by the B Corp mission, and the hope it brings. Resources: Peaceworks site: Peaceworks B Corp certification: About B Lab and the B Corporation movement: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/22614257
info_outline
How B Lab is leveraging business for climate justice, racial equity, and a stakeholder-driven economic system
03/17/2022
How B Lab is leveraging business for climate justice, racial equity, and a stakeholder-driven economic system
Show notes: Kara Peck, Senior Director, Strategy + Partnerships, B Lab US & Canada shares their journey to strategic clarity for their organization and for making a real difference in the world. Leveraging a time of organizational and societal change, they have developed a Theory of Change, creating alignment around a new focus for the B Corp-certifying nonprofit, to support the business sector in taking collective action towards addressing racial equity, climate justice and stakeholder capitalism. Resources: B Lab US/Canada Theory of Change: B Lab: B Corp Impact Assessment: Kara Peck: Sweet Livity: Revolution Foods: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/22471826
info_outline
Non-Profit Leadership, with Shelley Zuckerman of North York Community House
03/03/2022
Non-Profit Leadership, with Shelley Zuckerman of North York Community House
In this episode, Sally speaks with Shelley Zuckerman, who has been the Executive Director of North York Community House for the past 30 years, about her long career in the non-profit sector, how her organization has navigated the challenges of the past two years, and her advice for the next generation of leaders in the sector. Shelley shares what makes her optimistic for the future, both for our sector and more broadly. As she nears retirement this year, Shelley reminds us about how far we have come, and shares her confidence in the next generation to go further on issues of social justice, building on strengths in community and amplifying the voices of the people the sector serves. She advises leaders to be continuously curious and learning, and to support new leaders by giving them opportunities to share and try their ideas. North York Community House serves more than 15,000 residents in northwest Toronto every year. The help transform lives by working with people, understanding their needs, and supporting them in achieving their goals. For over 30 years, NYCH has been opening doors for new Canadians; supporting youth, parents and seniors in becoming active, engaged citizens; and creating opportunities for residents to improve their lives and lead positive change in their neighbourhoods. Resources North York Community House: NYCH Twitter and Facebook: @nychonline . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/22320755
info_outline
Supporting Youth Transitioning from Care through Collective Impact, with Halton CAS
02/17/2022
Supporting Youth Transitioning from Care through Collective Impact, with Halton CAS
We’re focused in this conversation on a collective approach being taken in Halton to support young people as they transition from the care of CAS, at age 18-24. Halton Region identified this as a priority area, creating a Community Safety and Wellbeing table, and it truly is a community effort. With the Oakville Community Foundation holding the backbone or coordinator role, leveraging support from the Halton Granters Table, many local youth serving organizations have come together to support youth transitioning from care to support their goals in education, employment and training. We hear from Steve Levac, Manager of Youth Services, and Jennifer McKnight, Transitional Youth Worker with Halton Children’s Aid Society, about the history and journey of this collective, the results, and their hope that this is a model for systems change to be further leveraged in Halton and many other communities. Resources Halton CAS: Oakville Community Foundation: Halton Youth Collective Program Report : Halton Community Safety & Wellbeing Plan: Some of the participating youth-serving organizations ADAPT: Centre for Skills Development: CMHA Halton: Halton Region Housing: HCDSB: HDSB: HIEC (Halton Industry Education Council): ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids): Sheridan College: STRIDE: Town of Oakville: YMCA Oakville: Laidlaw’s YouthCI: Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/22163225
info_outline
Building unity on the future we want - with Sonia Theroux of Leadnow
02/03/2022
Building unity on the future we want - with Sonia Theroux of Leadnow
In this episode, Sonia Theroux, the Executive Director of Leadnow speaks with Sally about what progressivism means, the movement, and how activists and change makers can think about and stay hopeful about the moment we are in. Sonia is a campaigns and communications specialist, passionate about organizing and community building. She has seen the power of people talking to people about something they care about. She has led or advised on successful electoral campaigns at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. As a consultant with a digital civic tech company, she advised local governments on effective public engagement strategies. Now, serving as Executive Director of Leadnow - a people-powered multi-issue progressive campaigning community, she sees this organization as a much-needed non-partisan opportunity for people to engage with, and strengthen, our democracy. In this conversation, Sonia shares her ideas about how to build unity around the things that are important to our communities. She talks about how leadership in this moment is about vision building, while making space for civil discourse about the systemic and structural barriers to achieving the just and equitable society we want. Sonia also shares what keeps her hopeful in this moment. Leadnow: Sonia Theroux: Twitter @soniatheroux Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/22003187
info_outline
A conversation with Dr. David Danto: Truth, humility, and the path to reconciliation
01/20/2022
A conversation with Dr. David Danto: Truth, humility, and the path to reconciliation
Our guest on this episode is Dr. David Danto, who is the Head of Psychology at the University of Guelph Humber. Dr. Danto’s clinical and research interests include Indigenous wellness and culture-based approaches to addressing intergenerational trauma in local and global contexts. David is involved in allyship and decolonization efforts within the discipline and the academy. Dr. Danto has worked in psychiatric hospitals, counselling centers, private practice, and correctional facilities in Canada and the United States. In partnership with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, he developed a field course on Indigenous Mental Health, which he has delivered in Mushkegowuk Territory along the James and Hudson Bay coast for the last ten years. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), he recently chaired the CPA Task Force on Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, and he currently Chairs the CPA Standing Committee on Reconciliation. In this episode Sally and Dr. Danto talk about the early experiences and influences that brought David to this work. We also talk about David’s work learning alongside his students from the people in the Mushkegowuk territory in Northern Ontario. David shares his thoughts about how far we have to go toward achieving justice and true reconciliation, and how the first step is to learn the truth of the experience of Indigenous people in Canada and connecting in a spirit of humility and openness with Indigenous people. “Learning isn’t enough. A genocide has happened here. I think there is a growing awareness that is just really beginning. And despite that, there is such a great warmth of spirit, generosity and resilience within the indigenous community, which is, according to some research, one tenth of the population of indigenous people that existed pre contact. That needs to be understood, respected and appreciated.” Resources: Indigenous Knowledge and Mental Health: Psychology’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Report: Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/21830696
info_outline
The Ontario Nonprofit Sector
01/06/2022
The Ontario Nonprofit Sector
In this episode, we hear from the Ontario Nonprofit Network through Executive Director Cathy Taylor, and Policy Advisor Pam Uppal, They share the state of the sector in Ontario, from their most recent surveys and ongoing interactions, and what this means for the ONN’s policy priorities. We hear about the important role of looking out for the sector overall and being part of emergent issues. We also hear about the rise and importance of collaboration across the sector – although nonprofits may compete for funding at one level, they share challenges such as labour and volunteer shortages and a lack of funding that can best be addressed together, as well as coming together to collectively address community-specific issues, as has happened throughout the pandemic. Of course, we talk about impact and how ONN views the difference it is making. Overall, ONN hopes this is embraced as a time of transformation, bringing an equity approach to ONN and the sector’s work and engraining the key role of nonprofits in our society. Resources ONN: COVID-19: State of the sector one year later: Podcast: Digging In with ONN - Not-for-Profit Corporations Act: Nonprofit Resources: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/21684638
info_outline
A Fireside Chat on Giving with Intention, with MakeWay’s Leanne Burton
12/23/2021
A Fireside Chat on Giving with Intention, with MakeWay’s Leanne Burton
In this episode, we have a conversation with Leanne Burton, Director, Partnership Development at MakeWay, a public foundation that acts as an intermediary, working between funder and community partners to build healthy pathways towards social, environmental and economic justice. It’s a time of year when people might be thinking more about giving, donating to causes that are important to them. We’ve taken an opportunity to chat with Leanne for her thoughts on what to think about as you plan your giving, now and throughout the year – whether as a funder or an individual. Leanne highlights starting with the issue you care about and the change you want to see, and suggests ways of getting a deeper understanding of that issue and the players. We talk about trust philanthropy, and the importance of giving ”unrestricted” contributions without dictating what the money be spent on, and without onerous expectations for selecting a recipient or for them to report back. We also talk about ways to look at a nonprofit’s impact while they work within a complex, adaptive system. All this and more, to get you thinking about how to be more intentional, and perhaps more collaborative, in your giving. Above all, we hope it encourages you to simply give! Have a listen. Resources MakeWay Leanne Burton: Carleton University’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership: MakeWay Donor Advised Funds: Government of Canada/CRA List of Charities: The Narwhal: CANADALAND: CANADALAND’s podcast series on WE Charity, The White Saviours: Vancouver Foundation: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/21574619
info_outline
A Systemic View to Reconciliation through Indigenous Youth
12/09/2021
A Systemic View to Reconciliation through Indigenous Youth
In this episode, we hear from 4R’s Youth Movement Executive Director Jess Bolduc about the desire to address reconciliation, by engaging Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, creating authentic relationships and addressing fundamental flaws in the system. We hear about the challenge many nonprofits face, of only having near-term funding, while the issue to be addressed is much longer term. She lets us know about a framework for cross-cultural dialogue created by youth, and how the challenges and approaches of other equity-deserving communities provide models, guidance and allyship for Reconciliation here, on Turtle Island. Have a listen. Resources 4R’s Youth Movement: 4R’s Framework for Cross-Cultural Dialogue, “Seeding Reconciliation on Uneven Ground”: Audio blog (like a podcast) Land(ing) Back: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/21425243
info_outline
ReThinking Philanthropy with Dr. Joseph Smith, The Foundation for Black Communities and Generation Chosen
11/25/2021
ReThinking Philanthropy with Dr. Joseph Smith, The Foundation for Black Communities and Generation Chosen
In recognition of National Philanthropy Day and also Giving Tuesday, we’re pleased to be re-sharing our podcast with Dr. Joseph Smith, who, among other roles, is a founding member of the Foundation for Black Communities. This Foundation was designed to adjudicate grants, develop policy and liaise with government and the philanthropic sector to serve Black-led and Black-serving non-profits and charities. The Foundation’s report: Unfunded, was a catalyst for $200 million in federal government endowment funding in Canada this year and has prompted a transfer of endowment funds from traditional philanthropic organizations to the new Foundation to better balance investment in Black Communities. This is a great time of year to be reflecting on your giving, individually or as a funding organization. We encourage you, for the issues you care about, to take a look at the individuals and organizations not being funded. And if you don’t know, how can you help your organization find out? In addition to this podcast, we’ll share a link to a tool to compare the state of children and families in Toronto, across various demographics, as this may help you to see how your issue is playing out in Toronto, or may provide an example of a tool for your issue or organization to look to emulate, to be able to disaggregate the data – to truly see who is being affected and needs greater support. In the meantime, here’s our engaging conversation, with Dr. Smith sharing his expertise and passion for equity and inclusion and the emotional intelligence needed for productive conversations between people of diverse backgrounds. He talks about the work underway to close the gap in philanthropy in Canada, in which the needs and assets of Black Communities have been overlooked. Resources: Toronto Child & Family Network’s Raising the Village data: Joseph Smith LinkedIn: Generation Chosen: Unfunded report: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/21275537
info_outline
Facing systemic barriers and inequities in granting and beyond
11/11/2021
Facing systemic barriers and inequities in granting and beyond
In this episode, we are speaking primarily about the challenges facing the arts sector and also the philanthropic sector more broadly, in addressing racial and other systemic inequities, in granting and beyond. Our guest, Jordan Baylon (they/she/he) is a queer, non-binary second generation PhilipinX artist, critic and community worker imagining justice and abundance for equity-deserving peoples. Jordan brings a decade of experience working as a grantor in the non-profit arts sector in Calgary and is currently the General Director of Chromatic Theatre, which is focused on supporting the incubation and amplification of racialized voices and stories within theatre. Jordan is also a proud associate of the Anti-Racist Organizational Change program at CommunityWise, and co-author of RE-Tool, a handbook on equity-driven grantmaking as part of Equity in the Panel Room working group. Though not always easy to hear, we think you’ll appreciate Jordan naming some of the issues the sector faces, along with some steps that need to be taken, and a vision for the future. Have a listen. Resources RE-Tool handbook: CommunityWise Anti-Racist Organizational Change project: 35 50 initiative: COCo, White Supremacy Culture: COCo, The “Problem” Woman of Colour in the Workplace: Eve Tuck, decolonizing: Edgar Villanueva, Decolonizing Wealth: “gaslighting” definition: Critical Race Theory: Chromatic Theatre:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/21127913
info_outline
ReSketching Charity
10/28/2021
ReSketching Charity
Rudy Ruttimann, Founding Director of Sketch Working Arts, shares why and how she has stepped down after 22 years as the Executive Director, and the importance of succession planning. She also shares the exciting work she’s now taking on. The new role includes capturing learning from “Project Home”, buying their own studio space, through a community bond raise and traditional fundraising, all through COVID. Her work will also include conducting research around the impact of the arts, and developing Next Up, the Leadership Institute for youth not in traditional education opportunities. These sound like more of the dreaded “overhead” activities for a nonprofit, so Rudy is again thinking creatively about how to get this work funded, potentially through other social finance solutions. We’re keen to hear where Rudy’s work takes Sketch, as well as what models it presents for the sector. For now, have a listen. Resources Sketch: Project Home: Rudy Ruttimann: NextUp! Leaders Lab: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/20950013
info_outline
Growing Business for Good…brought to you by the United Way
10/14/2021
Growing Business for Good…brought to you by the United Way
In this episode, Mary Ellen Schaasfma, Director and Co-Founder of the Social Purpose Institute (SPI) at United Way BC, shares the concept of businesses having a social purpose as their reason for being, beyond profit. Over the last 5 years, SPI has been piloting programming to help businesses determine and implement their social purpose, in an effort to create a movement of businesses for good. While it’s more often that businesses support charities, Mary Ellen explains how it makes sense for United Way to support the business sector in having a societal purpose– social and/or environmental – at its core to best benefit the community, in fact, to create the thriving community that United Ways often aspire to. It’s also an opportunity for United Way to shift, changing not only its approach for impacting the community but how it engages corporations. This work has gained the attention of funders, interested in seeing this innovative model adopted across the country. We suggest it’s worth your attention too, whether as a funder, nonprofit or for profit organization. Have a listen. Resources Social Purpose Institute: Social Purpose Innovators program: Social Purpose Implementers program: Mary Ellen Shaafsma: Coro Strandberg: Hemlock Printers: GLOBE Events: Propelling Purpose Summit: Road to Purposeful Economy (discount code PAN-21): Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/20814083
info_outline
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
09/30/2021
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
In this episode, Lynn Fergusson and Sally Fazal, Partners at SIA, share their thoughts on the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The day is a federal statutory holiday in Canada, and SIA is also recognizing it as a day for reflection and learning. To quote our federal government’s announcement: “The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.” In this episode, Sally and Lynn talk about how SIA is learning more about reconciliation, and the legacy and trauma of the residential schools system. We talk about how the SIA team is developing our knowledge and practice to honour survivors and those lost and work toward a more equitable society in what is now called Canada. We talk about how our communications and approaches to strategy development are changing as we learn, how we are supporting learning in general, and share some examples of how our approach and language has changed. We are committed to continuing this learning journey and encourage our listeners to do the same. And we thank our Indigenous partners and friends for their patience and support. Please let us know how you are recognizing the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and how you are learning and growing as a partner in reconciliation. Resources: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action A conversation with Senator Murray Sinclair: Carolyn King, Order of Canada: Delivering on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action: Anti-Racist decolonizing framework: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/20650751
info_outline
We need Radical Accountability in the social impact sector
09/16/2021
We need Radical Accountability in the social impact sector
In this episode, Mojdeh Cox, Executive Director of London, Ontario’s Pillar Nonprofit Network, shares a new lens she is bringing to the organization: radical accountability. She believes the organization (and everyone) needs to first look at ourselves, and hold ourselves accountable for our roles in today’s hot issues including systemic discrimination, reconciliation, and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). She shares that we also need to take a hard look at the nonprofit or social impact sector itself, to see the role it plays in continuing to support systemic issues, such as through an ingrained belief in low overhead costs being worthy of celebration, even at the expense of our human resources not having retirement plans, benefits, competitive pay, and overall decent work. As Mojdeh points out, some of this may not be what funders and nonprofits want to hear, but that’s all part of radical accountability – calling out truths. Resources Mojdeh Cox bio: Mojdeh Cox on LinkedIn: Mojdeh shares her why: Open Letter to the Sector: A Call for Radical Accountability in Social Impact: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors: .
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/20486153
info_outline
Social Robots are reducing seniors’ social isolation
09/02/2021
Social Robots are reducing seniors’ social isolation
Lee St. James founded Social Robots to apply her tech background to a social issue, close to home. Not able to spend as much time with her father while seeing the effects of social isolation, she took action. Through this social enterprise, and with help from an Investment Readiness Program grant from the Community Foundations of Canada, through the Oakville Community Foundation, Lee is piloting the use of a friendly robot, complete with a tablet for interactive apps and photos, to engage seniors in retirement homes and long term care facilities. She’s addressing issues of social isolation and boredom while providing an interesting tool for Rec leaders to engage with their senior residents, and seeing positive results. With a heightened awareness of the issue of social isolation due to COVID-19, Lee is seeing growing interest, and particularly from post-secondary institutions looking to embed this in their curriculum to prepare the next generations for better supporting our seniors populations. Resources Social Robots: Investment Readiness Program through the Oakville Community Foundation: Lee St. James: Sheridan College – Centre for Elder Research: PARO Therapeutic Robots/Baby Seal: Pepper - Canada's first talking, dancing, emotionally sensitive robot: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/20337761
info_outline
Responding to Early Child Care Development Needs while Planning for Systems Change
08/19/2021
Responding to Early Child Care Development Needs while Planning for Systems Change
In this episode, Trevor McAlmont, Executive Director of the Macaulay Child Development Centre, shares the importance of providing affordable, universal child care to change the system in Ontario, and Canada. While directly serving 7000 children and 6000 parents through the multi-service agency, Trevor also invests in areas to strengthen the outcomes for these clients. He sees a need for nonprofits to be able to pivot to address emergency needs, as they did in providing food to their families through COVID, thanks to the emergency relief funds granted through United Way. Under Trevor’s leadership, the organization has also been setting the foundation for being able to measure impact – and identify areas for improvement to have better results for their families. We also talked about the importance of finding time for advocacy work, to ensure government and other decision makers could understand the implications on children and their families in making decisions. All of these investments are considered “overhead”, and require an organization to have flexible funding to be able to carry them out – an ongoing challenge for the sector. All of this and more in this episode. Have a listen. Resources Macaulay Child Development Centre: Canada Early Learning and Child Care Plan: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors: .
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/20191433
info_outline
How B Lab is leveraging business for climate justice, racial equity, and a stakeholder-driven economic system
08/05/2021
How B Lab is leveraging business for climate justice, racial equity, and a stakeholder-driven economic system
Kara Peck, Senior Director, Strategy + Partnerships, B Lab US & Canada shares their journey to strategic clarity for their organization and for making a real difference in the world. Leveraging a time of organizational and societal change, they have developed a Theory of Change, creating alignment around a new focus for the B Corp-certifying nonprofit, to support the business sector in taking collective action towards addressing racial equity, climate justice and stakeholder capitalism. Resources B Lab US/Canada Theory of Change: B Lab: B Corp Impact Assessment: Kara Peck: Sweet Livity: Revolution Foods: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal .
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/20037281
info_outline
Inclusion and Connection at Community Living Oakville with Alexandra Hoeck Murray
07/22/2021
Inclusion and Connection at Community Living Oakville with Alexandra Hoeck Murray
In this episode, Sally speaks with Alexandra Hoeck Murray, the new Executive Director of Community Living Oakville (CLO). Alexandra talks about the impact the organization and larger community is making in the lives of people with developmental disabilities. In our conversation, Alexandra talks about when the COVID crisis first started and how CLO addressed the potential isolation and disruption that the shutdown of their day services and central building could have caused, and how their rapid transition to online programming has kept people connected. CLOs employment team has been hard at work through the pandemic: Alexandra explains how CLO helped people find Pandemic Support Specialist work and other positions at the Oakville Trafalgar Hospital, and how the crisis helped CLO and the hospital forge a new partnership that will continue and be a model for the community of inclusion and the contribution people with developmental disabilities can make. The COVID crisis has forced some new thinking in inclusion and diversity. A new CLO program, funded by United Way Hamilton Halton Roots initiative, is working on systemic change, making links with business champions and institutions in the community, educating people about inclusion, and building and strengthening networks. Resources Website Community Living Oakville’s Newsletters Xplore Employment Facebook @OakvilleCL Instagram @communitylivingoakville In The Loop Media (Community Living Oakville’s Media Team) Instagram @inthe1loop Facebook @intheloopmedia . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/19868000
info_outline
Guest Podcast: A Young Newcomer’s Perspective on Settling in Canada: from Together Project - Makeway
07/08/2021
Guest Podcast: A Young Newcomer’s Perspective on Settling in Canada: from Together Project - Makeway
We are happy to be sharing a podcast from an initiative whose work we admire. Together Project, on the MakeWay shared platform, connects refugee and immigrant newcomers and Canadians to build stronger, more integrated communities. Their podcast is gathering and sharing the stories of newcomers they serve. In this episode, Joudy, a young refugee woman from Syria, speaks with Natasha at Together Project about her experience coming to Canada as a young newcomer, continuing university and overcoming social isolation during the pandemic with the help of Together Project volunteers. Resources Show page: Episode: Twitter @together_hello Instagram @together_hello Facebook @together.hello Linked In @together-project . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors: .
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/19734902
info_outline
Building Welcoming Community: An update from our friends at Together Project
07/08/2021
Building Welcoming Community: An update from our friends at Together Project
Our guests in this episode are Anna Hill and Andrew Lusztyk, co-directors and founders at Together Project, a charitable initiative on the Makeway Shared Platform. Together Project connects refugee newcomers and Canadians to build stronger, more integrated communities. Together Project is founded on the simple idea that social networks are an important factor for integration. We first spoke with Together Project back in 2019, about their strategy and goals for impact in community. Anna and Andrew introduce us again to the project and talk about how they adapted and innovated their welcome group program during COVID. Moving to largely online connections has meant a significant increase in connections made and has taught the team about the potential and challenges of online matches. As things open up again, Together Project will be able to offer both online and in person matches aligned with people’s interests, available time and comfort with technology. Resources: Together Project: Twitter @together_hello Instagram @together_hello Facebook @together.hello Linked In @together-project . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors: .
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/19712669
info_outline
Foundation for Black Communities and Generation Chosen: Breaking Through Together with Dr. Joseph Smith
06/24/2021
Foundation for Black Communities and Generation Chosen: Breaking Through Together with Dr. Joseph Smith
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Joseph Smith shares his expertise and passion for equity and inclusion and the emotional intelligence needed for productive conversations between people of diverse backgrounds. He talks about the work underway to close the gap in philanthropy in Canada, in which the needs and assets of Black Communities have been overlooked. Dr. Smith is the co-founder of the non-profit organization Generation Chosen which focuses on Mental health and Emotional Intelligence within underserved communities. He is a founding member of the Foundation for Black communities, a non-profit organization designed to adjudicate grants, develop policy and liaise with government and the philanthropic sector to serve Black-led and Black-serving non-profits and charities. The Foundation’s report: Unfunded, was a catalyst for $200 million in federal government endowment funding in Canada this year and has prompted a transfer of endowment funds from traditional philanthropic organizations to the new Foundation to better balance investment in Black Communities. Dr. Smith is also a project coordinator the Black Experience Project through the Environics Research Institute; works as a facilitator and consultant in the area of Anti-Black Racism and Emotional Health at LifeWorks; and sits on the board of Operation Black Vote Canada as the Director of Youth Outreach. In today’s conversation, we talk about how change can happen and is happening through understanding how we got where we are, how institutions and structures keep us from moving forward, and how intentional and generous action in how we live our lives- from who we engage, what we buy and how we spend our free time can lead to a better future. Resources Joseph Smith LinkedIn: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors: .
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/19590755
info_outline
Catalyzing Social and Environmental Change: a conversation with SI Canada’s Andrea Nemtin
06/10/2021
Catalyzing Social and Environmental Change: a conversation with SI Canada’s Andrea Nemtin
Our guest today is Andrea Nemtin, Executive Director of SI Canada. Sally and Andrea talk about what Social Innovation is, the history of the field in Canada, and how Social Innovation Canada (SI Canada) came to be. Andrea talks about the priorities of the organization as our country emerges from COVID, and how solutions to the complex challenges of social justice and climate change can be catalyzed and aligned through education, intentional networking at local and national levels across all sectors, and storytelling. Resources: Social Innovation Canada: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/19423478
info_outline
Educational Success for Racialized & Newcomer Youth, with Leo Johnson, Founder, Empowerment Squared
05/27/2021
Educational Success for Racialized & Newcomer Youth, with Leo Johnson, Founder, Empowerment Squared
Having been a refugee himself as a youth, Leo shares how he has taken his own experience and created an organization to support youth to ensure they can navigate the Canadian system for educational success, to lay the foundation for life’s success. We hear about Empowerment Squared’swork with Hamilton youth, and importantly, their parents or caregivers. We learn of the effects of COVID-19 on their work, and how they’ve pivoted and are now serving many more people, and in a broader way, which they see as a lasting effect. At the same time, we hear how his work has now expanded to a ground-breaking learning centre in his native Liberia. While there are needs here at home, there are greater needs globally and Leo is part of addressing that, too. Finally, we talk about the sector itself, and how the funding model must change for nonprofits to be successful, and particularly to address systemic racism. Resources Empowerment Squared: Liberian Learning Centre: Brock University: Hamilton Community Foundation: United Way Halton-Hamilton: Ontario Trillium Foundation Systems Innovation: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors: .
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/19222016
info_outline
Making an Impact in the Restaurant Industry
05/13/2021
Making an Impact in the Restaurant Industry
Court Desautels, CEO of the Neighbourhood Group of Companies, shares how his restaurants operate differently. They have health and wellness programs, including paid health benefits and education supports. They interview and listen to their employees to see what they need and how they can help. They empower the employees to decide which local charitable organizations to support. They sold gift cards during COVID and gave all the proceeds to their employees, allocated by an employee team. All of this translates to a big investment, one that’s paying off, including in cutting a typically high restaurant attrition rate in half, and in a loyal clientele. Addressing some industry challenges COVID has highlighted, Court also shares some suggestions of how other restaurants might follow suit, as well as changes that are needed in the industry to benefit all restaurant employees. Whether you’re a business leader, restaurant employee, you like to eat out, or you’re interested in seeing more decent work and less precarious employment, there are messages here for you. Have a listen. Resources The Neighbourhood Group of Restaurants: Court Desautels: Let My People Go Surfing book: B Corp: B Lab: Danny Meyer, Founder & CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group: Economic Recovery Task Force, Guelph: Restaurants Canada: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/19080395
info_outline
Uncovering & Addressing Mental Health Needs for Rural Youth
04/29/2021
Uncovering & Addressing Mental Health Needs for Rural Youth
This podcast shares the findings and experience of following a Collective Impact process for the Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health Collective, led by Nicole McKerracher, Executive Director of O-YA, a youth association in a rural Ottawa village. We’re joined by Emily Dozois, a youth with personal experience trying to access mental health services in rural Ottawa, and Evaluations Coordinator for the Collective. In particular, we hear the actionable findings from their survey of over 300 rural Ottawa youth, along with challenges and tips for creating and administering a survey through social media. Overall, they share their reflections on what has made this Collective successful and some of the ups and downs you might expect from Collective work. We also hear their enthusiasm and dedication for addressing this important and often overlooked issue. Have a listen! Resources O-YA (Osgoode Youth Association): Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health Collective: Instagram: @ruralottawayouth Facebook: @ruralottawayouth Laidlaw Foundation: YouthCI: Conversation Starter Grant: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/18902504
info_outline
Building a Business and Portfolio with Purpose, with Tim Nash, Good Investing Founder
04/15/2021
Building a Business and Portfolio with Purpose, with Tim Nash, Good Investing Founder
Tim shares insights into Socially Responsible Investing – about people looking to do less evil and perhaps more good with their investments. Even more importantly, we look beyond that, to his business model aimed at helping one million Canadians invest intentionally, because of the difference he sees that will make in the world. He’s creating a movement and shares how he’ll accomplish this,based on his Theory of Change or Change Theory. This approach has Tim acting as a coach, helping empower people to invest in line with their values. We see how, by having a big goal of helping one million people, it’s driven his activity, including realizing that a move to making his offerings virtual, is a powerful path to get there. Resources Good Investing: Tapestry Social Capital (Community Bonds): Social Innovation and Social Finance Fund: Tim’s Blog: Good Investing You Tube Channel: . Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors:
/episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/18732245