Ontario: A Welcome from SSE-O

Welcome to the School for Social Entrepreneurs - Ontario!

With all the gloomy news about the economy and announcements about austerity cuts to our public budgets, it’s hard not to slip into angst about the future. But many of us have faith in the dreams of regular people and their ability to achieve small miracles.

SSE-O is home for those of us who believe in Canada’s ability to rise to the challenges of our times. Thanks to a generous grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation, this September, SSE-O will open its doors in Toronto, with plans for expansion to Ottawa and Windsor in the future.

Community leaders from very different ages and walks of life can come to the SSE-O with an idea about how to make our world better. Working systemically with communities — alongside local organizations, government, academia, and traditional businesses — these social entrepreneurs will tackle our toughest social problems, from youth unemployment, to environmental destruction, to the strain of an aging population on our health care system. 

We honour and serve social entrepreneurs and their unrelenting optimism. We help channel their energy into creating ventures whose benefits cascade throughout society.

SSE-O’s untraditional educational model places emphasis on students as self-directed learners. We build their confidence in questioning traditional practices and developing innovative approaches. SSE-O provides a supportive learning community that steers away from a focus on paper certifications. Instead, we focus on immediately practical lessons necessary for all entrepreneurs — from how to secure sustainable financing, to improving operational capacity, and blossoming fully into social and business leaders.

Since its founding in the UK in 1997, SSE has been recognized for the excellence and creativity of its programs; fellows of the School have made remarkable contributions to their communities at the local and national level. You will find many of their stories in these pages.

We invite you to visit our website to learn more. We also encourage you to take the next step: take advantage of the wonderful opportunities for study, work, and volunteering at SSE-O. Our community is open to all.

With our very best wishes,

Marjorie Victor Brans

Director, School for Social Entrepreneurs - Ontario