The Libro Social Enterprise Incubator is Pillar Nonprofit Network's social enterprise support program funded by Libro Credit Union. This program is designed for community members in the late-ideation/early validation stages of their social impact businesses who are looking to develop and clarify their revenue-generating model for their organization.
Through a 10-week workshop series, entrepreneurs participate in a cohort-based learning experience guided by Pillar's Social Enterprise Program Manager and Coach. This series aims to support them in developing a robust and viable business model for their organization which includes establishing a financial model, stakeholder model, and impact model.
Alongside the workshop series, participants are supported through 1-on-1 coaching with the Pillar Social Enterprise Coach, co-working opportunities at Innovation Works, office hours with subject matter experts in legal, bookkeeping, and marketing, connecting with a Libro Credit Union Small Business Coach, and a year long Pillar Membership and Innovation Works lease.
We're thrilled to introduce the Fall 2022 Libro Social Enterprise Incubator cohort. Meet 10 incredible social entrepreneurs whose organizations are supporting our community in myriad ways ranging from political engagement, enriching the arts, supporting mental health, international community development and more.
Helen Cole - The Jean Collective
“Governments at every level make better decisions when women are at the table,” says Helen as she works to help women achieve gender parity in places of power and influence. She helps to inspire, train, and empower women to run for office.
Helen Cole is a trailblazer. From her own experience in municipal politics and various other leadership roles, Helen Cole is driven by her commitment to help more women enter into political leadership and other roles of social and community influence. Coming from a challenging and underprivileged childhood, Helen found her own voice, leadership skills and influence first in her children’s school, and eventually, she served as an elected municipal councillor in southern Ontario.
She has founded an organization, The Jean Collective, which is committed to training and preparing women to enter into the political sphere. In a 2022 election, six of her 20 political candidate mentees were successfully elected. Helen’s passion for her mission for women is matched by her heart for listening, encouraging, and connecting with people at the leadership and community level.
Lora Tia - CreatiForge
CreatiForge Inc holds the central objective of streamlining the pathway to self-publishing for independent writers. Our mission is to provide independent authors worldwide with a streamlined one-stop solution for manuscript production and independent publishing. As independent authors ourselves, our major objective is not only to provide independent writers with a platform and the resources they need to get from their first draft to being independent authors but to act as advocates for the independent writers’ sector of the literary industry. Making it possible for them to enjoy the same perks and benefits as traditionally published authors.
Kevin Heslop - Astoria Pictures
At point of writing, Astoria Pictures is a nascent but already internationally award-winning London, Ontario-based film production and distribution company owned and operated by director/producer Kevin Andrew Heslop.
Its profit-sharing model guarantees (1) a minimum of one percent of film grosses is alloted to each of the principal creatives collaboratively responsible for any given film and (2) that consumers of Astoria Pictures films will be provided with the opportunity to give a donation, in the amount of the purchase price, to one of a curated list of non-profit organizations rather than patronizing Astoria Pictures directly in exchange for an Astoria Pictures film (by screening or download).
In practice, Astoria Pictures is devoted to making and distributing maximally sensorially accessible films, by providing captions and the use of hyperlegible fonts, for instance, and with aspirations to exceed the traditional audio-visual medium with burgeoning vibrotactile technology.
While etymologically through the Greek Ἀστερία Astoria means of the stars or through the Occitan astur hawk or hawkish, Astoria Pictures refers to the cul-de-sac where Kevin grew up in London, Ontario, emblematizing the way in which the universal is accessible through the personal. Accessibility, vision, and a reminder that we are composed of stardust—or nuclear waste, depending on your analysis—then, are core to the company’s ethos.
Vanessa Field - The Baker's Project
Through an old-world approach to baking, all of our baked goods are hand-crafted in small batches from scratch recipes, featuring thoughtfully sourced ingredients with a focus on whole grain flours, regional flavours and seasonal inspiration.
The Baker’s Project believes in working towards the sustainability of our local food systems. We know that by investing in regional farmers, promoting the creativity of our artisans and supporting the well-being of communities through mindful actions we can make a difference. We are committed to developing meaningful relationships with fellow small businesses and support each other’s values and creativity.
Jessie Jones - Jessie Jones Recreation Therapy
Hi, I am Jessie Jones I am a Recreational Therapist, Artist, Writer, Educator, Mother and Wife. I have experience working with many populations, including children and youth, adults and seniors. My private practice, Jess Jones Recreation Therapy, is growing to serve children and youth with developmental disabilities, adults with mental illnesses, and seniors with cognitive diseases such as dementia. However, I serve humans of all ages and abilities, focusing on connection, creativity, and curiosity.
In 2021, I started my private practice in therapeutic recreation through Jess Jones Recreation Therapy. Over the last year and a half, we have grown to serve hundreds of people within the community, opened a brick-and-mortar location in London, Ontario and have started guest teaching.
I am an intuitive being and a heart-centred leader. My values include connection, creativity and curiosity, and I aspire to lead with these values in both my professional and personal endeavours. I have a loud laugh and a great sense of humour. I am dedicated to supporting those with perceived limitations and disabilities and those who need mental, emotional and physical guidance. My services are available for anyone looking for meaningful opportunities, connections and a creative approach to holistic well-being.
Devon Halfyard - Good Neighbors Canada Goods4Causes
Good Neighbors Canada is a registered charity, located in Toronto, Ontario, that supports people in need around the world. Our team works every day to give children the chance to grow up in a healthy environment. We have been operating in Canada since 2017, providing relief aid and implementing a wide range of inclusive community-based development projects. We specialize in international community projects in over 40 countries to support and advocate for health, education and development.
Allyson Proulx - Playing Paper Art
Allyson Margaret Proulx lives her life as an artist attending to the messy and entangled times we live in, both alone and together. Acknowledging how complex and lonely our experiences can be, Allyson offers us tools and artworks rooted in care, and compassionate action. Allyson employs letter writing, note passing, performance, and drawing, among many other forms and mediums, in participation of these goals. Allyson is Queer, Round, Neurodivergent, and a Settler. The waterway that gives life to her and everything around her is Deshkan Ziibing, which is Anishinaabemowin for Antler River.
Steven Latta - CORE
Hello, my name is Steven Latta. I am the founder of CORE and I look forward to journeying through the Libro Social Enterprise Incubator program.
CORE seeks to teach and socially innovate through the conceptual process of CO-RElating. In this Incubator program I hope to focus on how to introduce this idea and invite others into exploring its potential for one's life in business and community.
I am a thinker through and through and this program will be an adventure for me in applying my ideas in concrete ways. CORE is the result of my most recent thesis, which I just graduated and completed last August. I am married, have two daughters, and one dog. I enjoy video games, weights, and a good burger or pizza. My favourite thing to do is to mutually discuss and learn about the complexities of anything over coffee, drinks, or appetizers.
Ty Walker - Pop Up Roll Out
While the Covid-19 pandemic has generated interest in and concern for mental health, it has revealed a severe lack of investment in mental health services - especially for those in marginalized populations. Pop Up Roll Out is addressing this social issue and adding economic value through the development of a weekly social event that delivers mental health resources in a format similar to a farmers' market.
Our musical mental health fair brings passionate young artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs together to create a spectacular new social experience. Featuring live musical performances in front of an outdoor roller disco, Pop Up Roll Out shines the light on emerging Canadian artists while organizing mental health resources in low-income communities. Our unique vendor village welcomes mental health professionals, organizations, and innovators to showcase their services in a new fashion, breaking free from traditional healthcare structures to connect with our Priority Population: Canadian youth struggling with mental health challenges while facing financial barriers due to Covid-19.
We are working with multiple agencies, corporate sponsors, and social impact organizations to bring this event to London, Ontario on Monday afternoons each summer. Please check out www.popuprollout.ca to get involved!
Jessica Cowling - InnerWorks Counselling London Postpartum Counselling Centre
At The Postpartum Counselling Centre, we know that many new moms report that they are not okay. In fact, 1 in 3 new mothers will be diagnosed with postpartum depression, which makes parenting their newborns challenging. Postpartum mood disorders are on the rise since 2020, putting many women and infants at risk for long-term mental health problems.
We provide specialized counselling services with our therapists who are highly trained in treating postpartum mood disorders.
When moms receive the right kind of help early on, they feel better quickly, and raise happy, healthy families. Find us online at postpartumcounselling.com.