You're Hired!

Why one Calgary company employs the city’s homeless

- Sebastian Leck

DAVE AND HANNAH Cree were among the thousands of people who fled their homes during the 2013 Calgary flood. When they returned, a dozen strangers pitched in to help them pick through the wreckage and salvage what they could. While the Crees, who both worked in marketing, were grateful for the help, they recognized that not everyone was so fortunate. What about the 1,200 people who remained in emergency shelters, not to mention the rest of the city’s homeless population?

The question stuck, and the duo began brainstorming ways to use their business and marketing expertise for social good. They already knew who they most wanted to help. Across Canada, people who are homeless face many barriers to employment, particularly a lack of training and experience. Research has repeatedly shown that, despite harmful stereotypes, most people who experience homelessness do want to work—they just need to be given a chance.