Goodwill is a pertinent example of an organization whose activities have a positive social, economic and environmental impact on urban communities. In the Canadian province of Québec, an affiliated non-profit by the name of Renaissance offers similar training and employment programs through its network of thrift stores and donation centers. I mention Renaissance because it is smaller than Goodwill, and active only in Québec. This can serve to remind us that initiatives such as these are scalable and are often effective precisely because they are local.

Furthermore, organizations like these are well positioned to partner with both the private and public sector for the benefit of all. In 2010, Renaissance leveraged their relationships with 9 different burroughs of Montreal to organize a one week 'Green Challenge". They managed to collect 42 tonnes worth of clothing, books and other household items which might otherwise have ended up in landfill. Events such as these can prompt communities to strengthen internal ties through the act of coming together for a common goal and initiating a dialogue on the needs of others. They also physically bring people together by transforming local thrift stores into hubs for collective action.

www.renaissancequebec.ca