Latest news with #socialenterprise
CNA
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - A Letter to Myself: Having built car vending machines, Gary Hong now fuels connections for social good
Gary Hong of Autobahn Motors is best known as the man behind Singapore's iconic car vending machines. Apart from dealing in classic and luxury cars, Gary is also the co-founder of PlayPan, a social enterprise that brings people and organisations from different backgrounds together to spark off innovative collaborations for social good. In this conversation, Gary shares how curiosity and optimism paved the way for him to discover a deeper meaning in his work, and how he has learned to re-channel his personal challenges into a source of creativity.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
‘RM5 a meal' eatery among 7 Rafizi plans for social change
Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli said he and his team have already found the necessary partners and assets for the social enterprises to start. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has launched seven social enterprises under his 'Ayuh Malaysia' platform, including an eatery in Pandan Indah selling food at under RM5 a meal. The Pandan MP said the seven enterprises will commence operations in September, adding that he and his team have already found the necessary partners and assets for the initiatives to start. Besides the 'Kesum' eatery selling breakfast, lunch and dinner for under RM5, there will also be a sundry shop named 'FlexiMart' using the 'refill' concept. This concept involves the sale of goods without single-use packaging, with customers buying what they need by 'refilling' their own containers instead. 'We will also try to offer the installation of solar panels on roofs for low-income families, through the 'Suria' social enterprise in Petaling Jaya,' he said at the launch. Rafizi will also introduce a 'SagaSivik' civic education programme in Setiawangsa and a training initiative dubbed 'CLIB' in Ampang to prepare youths and undergraduates for the job market. Another initiative is called 'PinjamGajet'. It is based in Selayang and offers youths training on repairing laptops and smartphones, while the gadgets are then rented out to low-income households for as low as RM10 a year. The former economy minister will also introduce the 'TanamDuit' social enterprise in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, which seeks to encourage modern agriculture on abandoned land. Rafizi previously said these social enterprises were another way of bringing change to society and local communities, outside of politics. He said 'Ayuh Malaysia' would operate differently from profit-oriented businesses and donation-reliant NGOs by empowering local communities to conduct economic activities that are both effective and self-sustaining.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Govt can't do it all': Rafizi relaunches Ayuh Malaysia as movement to boost ‘third sector' social enterprises
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has today relaunched 'Ayuh Malaysia', a social enterprise initiative aimed at carrying out economic activities to benefit the society, rather than purely for profit. The former economy minister said Malaysia currently relies heavily on the public and private sectors to provide goods and services — with little focus on social enterprises, which he dubbed as the third sector. 'A sustainable society must have strong engagement with the third sector. At present, the ones providing goods, services, and assistance to the people are either the first sector, which is the public sector, or the second, which is the private sector. 'But the public sector has its limitations; without taxes and revenue, the government cannot continue spending indefinitely. The private sector, on the other hand, is driven by profit, so prices will keep rising,' he told reporters after launching Ayuh Malaysia here. The Pandan MP said Ayuh Malaysia was previously started in March 2022, but was disrupted by the 2022 general election and his subsequent appointment as a minister. 'In other countries, especially in situations like Malaysia's where the population is ageing, the third sector is absolutely crucial. Yet, if you go around Malaysia, hardly anyone talks about social enterprise,' Rafizi said when explaining his motivation. 'So when I was the minister of economy, during the drafting of the 13th Malaysia Plan, one key chapter was about establishing and strengthening the third sector in the country. But this needs to be driven by the people.' He said having a strong third sector will help ease the government's financial burden in the future. 'What's clear is that there will be economic benefits for the people, but more importantly, having a strong third sector will help ease the government's burden in the future,' he said. Rafizi added that Ayuh Malaysia will take six months to assess the response from the seven social enterprises participating in its pilot project. 'In Malaysia, the third sector is still in its infancy. We'll take six months to observe the response, the quality of ideas submitted, and the experience of those who step forward to lead because we want to ensure this doesn't become an avenue for people to take advantage and make money for themselves,' he said. Rafizi recently resigned from the Cabinet after losing the PKR deputy post to Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In March 2022, Rafizi launched the Ayuh Malaysia campaign to attract the support of voters on the fence as the country gears up for the 15th General Election. He had then said the decision to launch the campaign was taken after taking into account the results of the Johor state election and the views of various parties in PKR.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Event supports more than 21,000 people with kitchen essentials
A social enterprise has launched a new campaign to tackle food, fuel and kitchen poverty. Cracking Good Food hosted its seventh Kitchen Kit Redistribution Event at Bolton Arena on July 16, marking the first time the scheme has come to the town. The event saw 1,848kg of used kitchen equipment redistributed to 46 community organisations, supporting more than 21,000 people across Greater Manchester. The event saw 1,848kg of used kitchen equipment redistributed to 46 community organisations (Image: Phil Taylor) Kate Ainsworth, marketing and business outreach manager at Cracking Good Food, said: "To see Bolton's community come out in full force to support those most in need has been humbling and heartwarming. "There's a real sense of pride here – and I'm so proud we could bring this campaign home." The Kitchen Kit scheme supports individuals, including foodbank users, care leavers, veterans, refugees, those experiencing homelessness, and people fleeing domestic abuse. Ehinor and Juliana from Wonderfully Made Woman, a Bolton-based charity supporting women and girls, said the event would help them serve more than 100 people with hot meals that evening. Ehinor said: "We support women and girls, and In His Image supports young African boys. "This is the first time we have attended this event and it definitely will not be the last. "Thank you for this fantastic cause. "As you can see we have around five bags full of items; we really need as much kitchen equipment as we can get – thank you." The Kitchen Kit scheme supports individuals, including foodbank users and veterans (Image: Phil Taylor) The event brings the campaign's total impact to more than 11.35 tonnes of kitchen equipment redistributed, supporting in excess of 44,000 people in less than three years. The environmental impact is substantial as well, with more than 112 tonnes of embodied carbon emissions saved by diverting items from landfills. Cracking Good Food volunteer Zel said: "These events are making a real impact on people's lives. "By helping out at such an organised event, I know I'm an extension of that impact. "This is definitely our most successful KKC event so far. "We told organisations, 'take anything and everything you need' – and they didn't hold back. "We've been virtually left with nothing, which is fantastic. "It means everything went to the people who need it most." People at the Kitchen Kit Redistribution Event (Image: Phil Taylor) The event was made possible through partnerships with organisations including Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. Tracey Torley, CEO of Cracking Good Food, said: "All our partners and supporters are instrumental in the logistics for this event. "Our funders, Recycle for Greater Manchester, and venue provider Bolton Arena have also played a huge role. "But most of all, it's our volunteers – their loyalty never falters. "Every event, they return with energy and care. READ MORE: Care home residents 'uplifted' by on-site hair salon and nail bar Arcade moving to next level for summer holidays, with dozens of new machines Age UK Bolton and council partnership 'changing lives' for residents "Without our funders, kit donors, a dedicated compassionate team and volunteers, these events – and Cracking Good Food itself – simply wouldn't exist." Despite the success, this year's donations were lower than in previous years, with groups receiving just 25 per cent of the needed electrical items. To address this, Cracking Good Food has launched a permanent Kitchen Kit Shop at its hub in Longsight, allowing organisations to collect equipment year-round.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Inside Hiregood: an Edmonton temp agency built to be a ‘helping hand'
The Helping Hands team at Hiregood does a variety of jobs, from litter pick-up to festival safety attendants. (Hiregood) A local organization is being intentional in who it helps hire by creating jobs for people who may be experiencing homelessness, poverty or other barriers to employment. Hiregood is a social enterprise by Boyle Street Community Services that got its start in Edmonton around eight years ago. 'We actually intended to be a temporary agency that would get people, mentor them and get them in the formal job market,' said Jodi Phelan, the chief executive officer of Hiregood. 'We quickly became a place that people didn't want to leave.' Now, Phelan said they've had around 700 people come through the doors of Hiregood on 107 Avenue, and 200 currently work for them – all of whom have needed support one way or the other in overcoming hurdles in finding work. 'We can have someone who has maybe come from a different province … maybe doesn't have a resume for the last 20 years, or maybe they've experienced addiction issues,' said Phelan. Hiregood works by offering mentorship support to people who would otherwise be at a disadvantage in the hiring pool. They've also created a team called Helping Hands, which offers services for both the city and private residents. Those groups can include youth, adults and seniors – anyone who's willing to work. Each group is led by a mentor. Currently, their team offers litter pick-up, needle disposal, junk removal, pressure washing, event groundskeeping and washroom or festival attending. Virgil Grendbois Virgil Grendbois picks up litter outside Hiregood, July 14, 2025. (Miriam Valdes-Carletti/CTV News Edmonton) 'Everybody does need help' Virgil Grendbois has done a wide variety of jobs through Hiregood in the last three-and-a-half years. 'I didn't live a very good life. I was homeless for a number of years, until I managed to put the evil stuff away … alcohol and hard drugs,' he said. It was once he found support and was able to pay his rent through his work at Hiregood that life became 'much better, much more manageable.' Grendbois enjoys cleaning up the neighbourhoods he visits with the team. 'I look at people who are down and out, brothers and sisters, not somebody who's below me, but they're struggling. They need help. Everybody does need help,' he said. Phelan said that there are Hiregood employees who have gone on to work jobs with the city of Edmonton. Their services, she said, are in high demand. 'It's so important because people can complain about social disorder and chaos … but a lot of people want to work,' she said. 'A lot of our people, when they first walk in the door, no one's going to hire them, but we did, and then we teach [them] … they take it very seriously.' Phelan said that by the time someone has worked within Hiregood, their resumes could 'get them a job basically anywhere.' Although many workers, like Lisa Boyd, aren't eager to job hop any time soon. 'Everybody's family. Everybody helps you a lot. You talk to a lot of people, everyone's really familiar with each other,' said Boyd, who's been doing jobs with Hiregood for seven years. 'I like coming into work. I like doing stuff. Otherwise, I'd be home getting bored,' she said. Phelan said Hiregood is about 'having faith in people.' 'There's accountability here at Hiregood … When people are getting out of treatment, they have nothing to do, they become idle, and then there's relapse. And I feel like we've taken a piece of that out,' she said. 'Spaces get better, spaces get safer' Hiregood's next big gig is the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival this weekend in Kinsmen Park, where workers like Boyd will fill in as safety attendants. 'We're getting them off government assistance, and then we're creating safe spaces for people in the downtown core … we're providing a service to the community,' Phelan said. Parts of their work, she said, also help take pressure off other social and emergency services. 'We have proof that anywhere we go, spaces get better, spaces get safer,' she said. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti
