Helping women heal through empowerment and support builds strength in one’s own self as well as one’s community. Lynn Blumas, Micro Enterprise Program Coordinator
My Sisters’ Place supports a social enterprise affectionately known as “ME”. Social enterprise is a business with a social purpose – with a mission. We call our social enterprise a micro enterprise because it supports one woman at a time as she declares her intention and her creative vision for empowered self-sustainability and joins our team of artisans creating original jewelry and fashion accessories.
The Micro Enterprise program empowers women to learn a full complement of skills that may lead to re-entering the workplace, further educational pursuits, or entrepreneurial opportunities. These skills include marketing, business planning, sales and inventory management. Each piece of jewelry or textile created represents hours of learning, mentoring and community building among the members of the collective.
Micro Enterprise participants are women who have mentally prepared themselves to take this next step which demands their tenacious commitment and discipline. A close network of supportive artisans welcomes vetted newcomers into the enterprise all the while embracing the importance of team. A dedicated Micro Enterprise Facilitator oversees this venture, encouraging woman to take ownership of key functions of the business with the goal of improving their socio-economic status and overall well-being. Income generated is split at 80% to the individual and 20% back to support the program. The environment is respectful and encouraging and women often develop friendships outside of the program.
Approximately 12 women participate at a time. Following a three month immersion they move on to school, employment, entrepreneurship or other endeavours. As space allows, new woman are welcomed, oriented to the ME philosophy and mentored by the group. In 2017, ME will celebrate its tenth anniversary.
Shop at ME
Want to do some socially conscious shopping? Stop by the beautiful Coach House behind My Sisters’ Place to shop the locally crafted goods at the Micro Enterprise program. You can shop Tuesday-Thursday between 10 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 3 pm.
Donate Items
Our artisans re-purpose stones, beads, chains and other pieces of jewelry to create new pieces. You can donate seldom worn or broken jewelry by dropping them off at My Sisters’ Place between 10 am and 3 pm Monday-Friday. When you donate, you help woman move forward to a more prosperous future.
Without you, there is no ME.
Book a ME Sales Table for Your Event
Our artisans are always looking for opportunities to sell their pieces at events. Call Lynn Blumas, M.E. Program Coordinator, for details 519-679-9570 x 33 l.blumas@cmhamiddlesex.ca
