Coquitlam, B.C.This fall, three local non-profit agencies stand to benefit from a unique partnership between Envision Financial and Douglas College. This innovative program, launched in 2012, pairs local non-profit agencies with student-led teams who help the agencies by applying market research and problem solving skills to address challenges facing the agencies. The program exposes students to the growing social sector and gives them hands-on learning experiences that will ultimately benefit the community.
Douglas College and Envision Financial are now accepting project proposals from local non-profit and charitable agencies that have an operational or program need that the student teams could assist with. To date, eight local non-profit agencies have benefitted from this program, including Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store, Sources Rent Bank and the Surrey Food Bank.
"Many non-profit agencies are stretched thin and dont have the time or expertise to research and develop new programs or marketing campaigns," says Susan Byrom, manager of community investment at Envision Financial. "This program fills that need while providing enriched learning opportunities for the students. At Envision Financial, we want to make a meaningful difference in our local communities and this program allows us to do just that."
"This unique project provides real business experience for students and adds to their classroom learning, while the non-profit agencies gain valuable business tools and strategies," says Hazel Postma, associate vice-president external relations. "Along with Envision Financial, we are excited to be able to offer three local non-profit agencies the opportunity to participate in the 2014/2015 project."
Local non-profits that would like to be considered as a community partner in the 2014/2015 Envision Financial and Douglas College community building program, should forward their expression of interest by July 25, 2014 to Susan Byrom, manager, community investment at Envision Financial at
sbyrom@envisionfinancial.ca. Three local non-profit agencies will be chosen. A full list of criteria can be found at
https://www.envisionfinancial.ca/Personal/Community/CSR/DouglasCollege/.
About Envision Financial Envision Financial is a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union, with 38 branches and 29 insurance offices throughout the province operating under the Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial brands. Led by Launi Skinner, First West has $7.7 billion in assets under administration, more than 177,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. For its extensive community involvement, Envision Financial is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. For more information on Envision Financial, visit
www.envisionfinancial.ca.
About Douglas College
Douglas College one of the largest colleges in BC with more than 14,500 credit students and another 20,000 continuing education and contract training students. Douglas is a leader in international education with 1,160 international students as well as a range of international field schools, programs and practicums. Students are encouraged to discover what they love and learn to be good at it they can enroll in one of 10 degree programs or choose from a range of certificate and diploma programs covering everything from business to nursing to animal health technology, including performing arts, sport science and hospitality management. Douglas was named one of BCs 2014 Top 100 Employers. For more information visit
www.douglascollege.ca
Coquitlam, B.C.This fall, three local non-profit agencies stand to benefit from a unique partnership between Envision Financial and Douglas College. This innovative program, launched in 2012, pairs local non-profit agencies with student-led teams who help the agencies by applying market research and problem solving skills to address challenges facing the agencies. The program exposes students to the growing social sector and gives them hands-on learning experiences that will ultimately benefit the community.
Douglas College and Envision Financial are now accepting project proposals from local non-profit and charitable agencies that have an operational or program need that the student teams could assist with. To date, eight local non-profit agencies have benefitted from this program, including Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store, Sources Rent Bank and the Surrey Food Bank.
"Many non-profit agencies are stretched thin and dont have the time or expertise to research and develop new programs or marketing campaigns," says Susan Byrom, manager of community investment at Envision Financial. "This program fills that need while providing enriched learning opportunities for the students. At Envision Financial, we want to make a meaningful difference in our local communities and this program allows us to do just that."
"This unique project provides real business experience for students and adds to their classroom learning, while the non-profit agencies gain valuable business tools and strategies," says Hazel Postma, associate vice-president external relations. "Along with Envision Financial, we are excited to be able to offer three local non-profit agencies the opportunity to participate in the 2014/2015 project."
Local non-profits that would like to be considered as a community partner in the 2014/2015 Envision Financial and Douglas College community building program, should forward their expression of interest by July 25, 2014 to Susan Byrom, manager, community investment at Envision Financial at sbyrom@envisionfinancial.ca. Three local non-profit agencies will be chosen. A full list of criteria can be found at https://www.envisionfinancial.ca/Personal/Community/CSR/DouglasCollege/.
About Envision Financial Envision Financial is a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union, with 38 branches and 29 insurance offices throughout the province operating under the Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial brands. Led by Launi Skinner, First West has $7.7 billion in assets under administration, more than 177,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. For its extensive community involvement, Envision Financial is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. For more information on Envision Financial, visit www.envisionfinancial.ca.
About Douglas College
Douglas College one of the largest colleges in BC with more than 14,500 credit students and another 20,000 continuing education and contract training students. Douglas is a leader in international education with 1,160 international students as well as a range of international field schools, programs and practicums. Students are encouraged to discover what they love and learn to be good at it they can enroll in one of 10 degree programs or choose from a range of certificate and diploma programs covering everything from business to nursing to animal health technology, including performing arts, sport science and hospitality management. Douglas was named one of BCs 2014 Top 100 Employers. For more information visit www.douglascollege.ca