In this episode, we take a look at the social enterprise – a business model that many non-profit and community organizations in BC and elsewhere are leveraging to support a social mission.

I sat down with Darrell Burnham, CEO of Coast Mental Health, a non-profit organization based in the Lower Mainland with the mission to advocate, support and promote recovery of person with mental illness. Coast Mental Health operates three social enterprises, including Café 335, which provides Opportunity Youth the skills, experience and confidence to transition back into the mainstream workforce.

Darrell discusses Coast Mental Health’s involvement in the social enterprise sector over the years, including some the successes, challenges and lessons that have been learned along the way.