MetroWorks Employment Association

In the early 1970’s the city of Halifax was concerned about the rising costs of social assistance, and the increased dependence of more and more people on it. On December 13th, 1977 a non-profit organization (Human Resource Development Association, now MetroWorks Employment Association), “was launched by the city of Halifax largely through the efforts of the municipal social planning department to provide learning, training, and employment for people on social assistance as an alternative to welfare.”

At a time when funds were limited we understood that new solutions needed to be found to better use existing resources and turn them into sources of growth. We pioneered the use of welfare funds to capitalize businesses that hired persons facing persistent multiple barriers to employment. Our approach would change how North America, and the world, looked at poverty reduction, the rising costs of social assistance, unemployment, and economic development.

Forty years later our idea of creating hybrid business structures (for-profit and non-profit) continues to drive transformational change encouraging people to work across traditional fields of responsibility to develop new ideas (products, services, models) to tackle the rising needs of:

- individuals living with mental illness and ability differences
- individuals living on a low or fixed income (social assistance)
- single parent households
- individuals who are under-employed or unemployed

Through our hybrid business structures we have ensured a continued link between economic development and the goal of increasing social equity and individual dignity. Our organizational structure and mandate has been described as “one of the most imaginative initiatives in North America.” For over thirty years (1982 – 2013) our activities were referenced in numerous books, reports, and case studies gaining us international recognition. In Canada, we were selected by Carlton University’s Community Economic Development Technical Assistance program as a “host provider.” A study released in 1993 (and validated by KPMG) determined that the net benefit to government during our first fifteen years of operation totaled $7 million.

Over the past 40 years we have operated 14 social enterprises, including:

- Stone Hearth Bakery (in operation for 35 years)
- Stone Hearth Café and Catering (in operation for 3 years)

Recent recognition and awards include:

- 2017 Halifax Business Awards: Gold in Small Business of the Year and Silver in Innovative Business of the Year
- 2017 Champion of Mental Health: Named by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
- 2017 Great-West Life, London Life, and Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award: Honourable Mention

MetroWorks has persevered to create innovative solutions to close the gap between work and welfare. Our organization is a bridge and safe place for individuals from all backgrounds to access the support they need. We are a place where the general public, businesses and government can learn and understand the societal concerns we address. We are proud of our accomplishments, and that we have been able to clearly demonstrate that individuals facing persistent multiple barriers to employment would rather work for a living than depend on social assistance.