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WHO WE ARE Mission & action Mission Our work Grants & Purchases Fundraising Our place in Winnipeg What is CED? Among hamper programs Partners employ & mentor History People Board Staff Bylaws Funders |
Mission and actionOur mission statement 
Our mission statementTo promote community economic development by supporting inner-city initiatives in Winnipeg that build capacity and provide jobs. Our work in Winnipeg's inner-cityWe have been investing in Winnipeg’s inner city communities since 1994. We raise funds to support their long-term community economic development (CED). The solutions to poverty in Winnipeg demand long-term strategies built on the initiatives of local residents. This is the basis of our two disbursement programs: Community Organization Grants and Christmas Hamper Purchases.Our strategic grants and purchasesWe offer grants to selected local non-profit initiatives who are working to establish sustainable employment in their community. In particular, we select initiatives that train residents in employable skills and offer them their first jobs. Gaining employment not only strengthens an individual, a family, and a community in economic terms, but it is also key to the dignity and responsibility that are the hallmarks of a strong community. We make purchases of Christmas hampers from inner city businesses and social enterprises. This program provides families in need with groceries for the Christmas season. But we do this in such a way that the hampers do not rob locally-owned businesses of their Christmas customers. Rather, we buy from them. In this way these businesses employing inner city residents can continue in their long-term role of serving their communities. Some of the other benefits that come with local businesses include affordable, accessible products, high quality service, community stability, opportunities for employment, and key role models for youth. Our fundraising workWe raise funds to support our partners in several ways. Our staff and volunteers make presentations to Winnipeg businesses, workplaces, churches, schools, clubs, and other interested groups. We annually send a solicitation letter and newsletter to current LITE supporters. We also host the Wild Bluberry Pancake Breakfast and other fundraising events. Although we raise funds and support our partners year-round, our busiest fundraising time is our Fall Campaign. Our Fall Campaign runs from mid-September until mid-December and features the annual Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the end of November, a celebration of CED in Winnipeg. If you would like more information about a LITE presentation or our other fundraising activities, please contact us. |
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