What is StartWork?
In partnership with the Government of Alberta and Northpine Foundation, the Institute for Community Prosperity is testing a brand new mode of community investment. If successful, this form of investment could radically upend existing community investment practices across government, foundations and corporate sponsorship. Far too often, social impact initiatives are funded in a hyper-competitive environment with short-term grants from an increasingly smaller pool of capital. StartWork has applied an outcomes procurement approach in working with the Government of Alberta to address the high demand for Alberta Income Support.
What is Outcomes Procurement?
Outcomes procurement follows procurement practices already widely used in government to create social benefit while saving the government money. This is in contrast to the government's existing relationship with non profits as funders which creates a competitive and constrained environment for non profits to deliver their services. Outcomes procurement modernizes the relationship between non profits and overburdened government agencies while leveraging the marketplace to ensure non profits have the resources they need to to create transformative impact in the communities they serve.
StartWork would not be possible without the incredible work of community partners with expertise working with refugees and those with significant barriers to employment. StartWork provides
- Four pathways to employment
- Access to free driver’s license training
- Connections to others new to working in Canada
- Job mentorship to remain employed
Faculty Proposals Related to StartWork
- cross-sector partnerships
- social entrepreneurship
- labour market integration
- philanthropy and procurement
Who is involved?
This novel, collaborative approach, to ensuring refugees have access to good jobs, employment wages and benefits above and beyond Alberta Income Support is made possible thanks to the pioneering support of Northpine Foundation and the Government of Alberta.
StartWork Coordinator
Michelle Lee
Michelle is a dedicated Social Service Practitioner with over 10 years of experience supporting diverse populations facing barriers to employment, including those with disabilities and newcomers. She has worked in both non-profit organizations and social enterprises across Hong Kong and Canada, specializing in employment development, case management, building strong partnerships with communities and employers, and managing various social enterprises and social innovation projects.
Michelle is skilled in cross-cultural communication and applies trauma-informed practices to create inclusive, sustainable employment pathways. With a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams, she is committed to promoting wellbeing and reducing barriers to both employment and mental health services. Michelle holds a Master’s in Social Work from Hong Kong and a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Intervention from Toronto. She is a registered social worker in Hong Kong and is passionate about nurturing social enterprise and innovation projects in Canada, particularly in Calgary, to address social challenges.
Contact: mlee2@mtroyal.ca
Words from StartWork Participants
Ashiraf Sengendo
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Start Work for the incredible support and dedication they provide to newcomers like myself. Joining this organization has truly been one of the best decisions of my life. Start Work is filled with passionate, hardworking individuals who work tirelessly to help refugees and immigrants find meaningful job opportunities and build a strong foundation in Canada.
A special thank you goes to Michelle Lee—one of the most friendly, kind-hearted, and committed people I've had the pleasure of working with. She played a key role in helping me secure a job oppoortunity, and thanks to her effort, I am now living the dream of my future in the vibrant city of Calgary.
Start Work is more than just an organization, it's a stepping stone to a better life. I am truly grateful.
Mohyyaldin Marie
Joining the Start Work program has been a great opportunity that put me on the right path toward finding a job and becoming independent from Alberta Income Support. This program is helping me take my first real steps into the workforce in Calgary.
And, being part of this program makes me feel valuable and more confident, especially after moving to Canada, specifically Calgary, just 10 months ago as a refugee.
It's encouraging to finally feel hopeful about my future and ready to build a stable life here with my wife and two sons.
What makes this experience more meaningful is knowing that the support doesn't end when the program does. The Start Work team continues to welcome me with advice and encouragement to reach my goals. Thank you so much.
Meron Tolla (Centre for Newcomers)
On behalf of my classmates and myself, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for all the support and guidance you and the team at the Centre for Newcomers have provided us. Your dedication and effort in helping us get started with our work group have been invaluable. We truly appreciate the time and resources you have invested in ensuring that we had the tools and knowledge we needed to succeed.
Your patience, encouragement, and willingness to go above and beyond have made a signficant impact on our journey. Thanks to your support, we feel more confident and prepared to take the next steps in our careers.
Once again, thank you for everything you have done for us. We are truly grateful for your commitment to our success.