Services to social impact

The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns disproportionately affected the service and hospitality industry and the large numbers of young women that worked in the sector. 

To support them in making career changes, the G(irls)20’s Services to Social Impact Project provided online workshops and coaching to help young women in the service industry develop transferable social-emotional skills in leadership and confidence, communications, business literacy, job interviewing and networking.

Group of young woman clapping during an event.

Initially, the project aimed to support young women to transition out of the service industry and into social entrepreneurship. However, given the volatile state of the economy and goals of its participants, the project realized this was too ambitious. Instead, it pivoted to the development of transferable social-emotional skills. 

Despite the challenges this pivot created, after participating in the project, the women felt more knowledgeable about professional communication, negotiation strategies, steps needed for career transitions and the different career paths that were open to them. 

The project did highlight the importance of flexibility in the face of changing circumstances in the external environment in order to meet and support participants where they are.

Featured Projects

Broken piggy bank
Project

TIMES 2.0

This project was carried out by Yonge Street Mission (YSM) to improve their workforce development strategy using a data tool called TIMES™ (Transformation Integrated Measurement and Evaluation System). The tool collects and analyzes data on barriers and supports that affect job readiness for their clients, such as food, housing, relationships, education, skills and health. The project aimed to migrate the tool from a narrow and rigid platform to a more robust and flexible online platform (Salesforce) that helps…which would facilitate ease of use, collaboration, reporting and onboarding of external partners.
Project

Improving the quality of work in Canada: Prioritizing mental health with diverse and inclusive benefits

This research examines the relationship between access to benefits and quality of work in the current Canadian context, with a central focus on mental health and well-being, diverse forms of care and greater inclusion for those without benefits.
Man preparing plates in the kitchen.
Research

Rising Skills: Emerging Skills in the Food Services Trades

Commercial kitchens are becoming more automated, connected, and diverse workplaces. This briefing looks at the skill sets that food services tradespeople—in particular, the Red Seal trades of cook and baker—need to adapt, as well as how employers can find the skilled talent they need.
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