Enjoy the contest and savings. We thank you for reading about us in detail!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Contest Question
When we ask what is "Changes" we really want you to know that we are a social enterprize, meaning of course we are a regular business, but with a mission that works for the benenfit of others. Answer to the question is "Social Enterprize."
Enjoy the contest and savings. We thank you for reading about us in detail!
Enjoy the contest and savings. We thank you for reading about us in detail!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Graduation from "Changes 360" program
Another life about to change, as another graduation takes place with a new job following the next day! How wonderful to see the changes that take place in the eyes of those who experience success. Congrats to Christine and all the best to her. A new life begins. Congratulations being offered by fellow graduate, center Sheila Bishop; newest employee and workshop coordinator Terri Doucett right; HR trainer Charles Davies, back. Pat Carlson, founder and CEO makes the certificate presentation.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
New workshop coordinator joins us at "Changes"
Hi
I would like to introduce you to Terri Doucett, who recently joined our team at "Changes" Terri comes with years of experience in retail and we are all happy that she accepted to join us. Drop by and see our changes and meet Terri in person. Although she will be working mainly in the day to day operations of quality control she will be found on the cash as she mentors our clients and oversees the breaks etc.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Changes at "Changes"
School is about to start, housecleaning time is around the corner and many changes are happening at "Changes."
Settling into our new place and getting the stock sorted and placed was quite a challenge. Many hands on deck brought it all nicely together, however. We wish to thank everyone who helped, whether it was for a few hours or everyday for the last couple of months, we could not have done it without you!
Donations keep the store moving, shoppers keep it afloat and we certainly need everyone to continue to spread the word. Changing locations is a challenge as people habituate to one route and we need them to rethink that route and find us again. We are gaining new customers, but we miss some of our old ones!!!
In the old store we were asked about when we would start putting out our Christmas things, as people like to shop early, so by mid September I start putting out a few things at a time.
We have also started putting fall coats and sweaters out as the cool weather is coming and we know you will want first dibs.
Some trainees are facing new challenges. We are reminding the community that not all pasts are to be feared. If we work with a trainee at changes who may have a record, it is a small offense and likely a first time offense, so we encourage dialogue about the fear that our community and most communities have about hiring someone with a record. Domestic problems often result in charges being laid which have a devastating effect on the couple. However, women get charged also and this creates a nightmare for finding work.
Insurance companies may be trying to help protect us, but if someone cannot find work, they will, no doubt, do something much worse down the line. I am certain not all people with a record need to be feared. We need to start this conversation. What happened to the principles of fair play and justice? Or when a time is served the crime is paid for? It appears it is never paid for in a fear based society.
I will leave that for you to think about.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and please remember that we serve our community through you and the grace of God.
Pat
P.S. new volunteers always welcome!
Settling into our new place and getting the stock sorted and placed was quite a challenge. Many hands on deck brought it all nicely together, however. We wish to thank everyone who helped, whether it was for a few hours or everyday for the last couple of months, we could not have done it without you!
Donations keep the store moving, shoppers keep it afloat and we certainly need everyone to continue to spread the word. Changing locations is a challenge as people habituate to one route and we need them to rethink that route and find us again. We are gaining new customers, but we miss some of our old ones!!!
In the old store we were asked about when we would start putting out our Christmas things, as people like to shop early, so by mid September I start putting out a few things at a time.
We have also started putting fall coats and sweaters out as the cool weather is coming and we know you will want first dibs.
Some trainees are facing new challenges. We are reminding the community that not all pasts are to be feared. If we work with a trainee at changes who may have a record, it is a small offense and likely a first time offense, so we encourage dialogue about the fear that our community and most communities have about hiring someone with a record. Domestic problems often result in charges being laid which have a devastating effect on the couple. However, women get charged also and this creates a nightmare for finding work.
Insurance companies may be trying to help protect us, but if someone cannot find work, they will, no doubt, do something much worse down the line. I am certain not all people with a record need to be feared. We need to start this conversation. What happened to the principles of fair play and justice? Or when a time is served the crime is paid for? It appears it is never paid for in a fear based society.
I will leave that for you to think about.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and please remember that we serve our community through you and the grace of God.
Pat
P.S. new volunteers always welcome!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Getting ready for our grand re-opening June 17th at 11 a.m
You are invited to join our deputy mayor, David Kelly and the staff and volunteers of "Changes" to celebrate our grand re-opening.
Here are some new pictures of what we have done so far. Lots of wonderful things to see and buy. We are now working with client 23 who will be starting her volunteer mode on our grand opening day.
We will be giving the first 24 people a fresh flower, contests will be announced and many surprises. Join us and see what fun we can have in our new space.
Here are some new pictures of what we have done so far. Lots of wonderful things to see and buy. We are now working with client 23 who will be starting her volunteer mode on our grand opening day.
We will be giving the first 24 people a fresh flower, contests will be announced and many surprises. Join us and see what fun we can have in our new space.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
We are moving! 1245 Hanwell Road soon to be our new store.
It has been a long journey to get to this point. Days of wondering how we could make this happen, can we afford to move, what if we did not find a suitable place. Our thoughts changed back and forth from; can we buy something to costs of renting, what should we do?
Then, out of the blue, I made a wrong turn one day and low and behold arrived at the parking lot of the Greer Mini Mall by the Greer homestead at 1245 Hanwell Rd. As I spoke to one of the tenants about her business moving from Queen St, the owner of U wash dogs, told me how this move has helped her business.
The location is easy to find. Nothing like being across the street from Ritchies Carpet Warehouse, with its big red lettering. You can see it as you look for Tim Horton's new location on the top of the Hanwell. Yes, it is true, we will be able to walk to Tim's for coffee. Oh boy, I love those ice caps! We will all have to watch our diets.
The unit we are taking over was once the Case's Renovations site. It needed some work, walls repaired and they did this for us. Case's supplied three men and rebuilt the walls so we can get them painted. Thank you guys for a great help and Rob for donating this to us. This is dirty work so it was great to get that kind of help.
Monday and Tuesday we will be getting it professionally cleaned as walls of 14 ft and 18 ft are too much to ask of our wonderful volunteers to clean. After that, we will begin painting and do our arranging of shelving and preparing the workshop for your donations. There is much to be done before we open on June 1st.
Our plan is to stay open until near the end of May at the King St location and take only 2-3 days to do the final touches in our new location. Signs will be going up soon and you will see that we will have converted a flat faced mini mall unit to a lovely boutique entrance...and wait until you see what we have planned for the inside!!!!
Here are a few before pictures to enjoy. You can also follow the developments on my facebook page.
I ask for your help, encouragement and as always a good prayer here and there can work miracles. We are working with our 21st client in three years since we began. We know that our program is beginning to make an impact in some of the client's lives and we thank you, our community, for sharing your blessings on so many of us.
Have a great day. Come see us soon! Our new location will be 1245 Hanwell Rd, across from Ritchies.
Then, out of the blue, I made a wrong turn one day and low and behold arrived at the parking lot of the Greer Mini Mall by the Greer homestead at 1245 Hanwell Rd. As I spoke to one of the tenants about her business moving from Queen St, the owner of U wash dogs, told me how this move has helped her business.
The location is easy to find. Nothing like being across the street from Ritchies Carpet Warehouse, with its big red lettering. You can see it as you look for Tim Horton's new location on the top of the Hanwell. Yes, it is true, we will be able to walk to Tim's for coffee. Oh boy, I love those ice caps! We will all have to watch our diets.
The unit we are taking over was once the Case's Renovations site. It needed some work, walls repaired and they did this for us. Case's supplied three men and rebuilt the walls so we can get them painted. Thank you guys for a great help and Rob for donating this to us. This is dirty work so it was great to get that kind of help.
Monday and Tuesday we will be getting it professionally cleaned as walls of 14 ft and 18 ft are too much to ask of our wonderful volunteers to clean. After that, we will begin painting and do our arranging of shelving and preparing the workshop for your donations. There is much to be done before we open on June 1st.
Our plan is to stay open until near the end of May at the King St location and take only 2-3 days to do the final touches in our new location. Signs will be going up soon and you will see that we will have converted a flat faced mini mall unit to a lovely boutique entrance...and wait until you see what we have planned for the inside!!!!
Here are a few before pictures to enjoy. You can also follow the developments on my facebook page.
I ask for your help, encouragement and as always a good prayer here and there can work miracles. We are working with our 21st client in three years since we began. We know that our program is beginning to make an impact in some of the client's lives and we thank you, our community, for sharing your blessings on so many of us.
Have a great day. Come see us soon! Our new location will be 1245 Hanwell Rd, across from Ritchies.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
2011 Already!
Happy New Year is now behind us and we are seeing red as in Happy Valentine's Day. Our Chocolate Tasting this year was another sell-out and we had a wonderful time. The music got lots of rave reviews and the entire night was financially just what we needed for the down days of February. The food...ohhhh the food was excellent!
Speaking of February...we need donations at this time of year. We would love all those things you really did not use for Christmas and we need dishes, dishes, dishes. Fancy dishes, kitchen ware and all the general everyday stuff works as well as jewellery. We also seek quality used goods in clothing as well.
Speaking of jewellery, we will be sponsoring a new lady from our community who needs help marketing her wares. We will purchase for resale and see how that goes. Costs will range from $40 to $60 and her stuff is really well done. I will post pictures soon.
New challenges await us as we seek a new place to do this work. As they say in retail, "location, location location!" And we need about 3000 sq ft to carry on. If you know of a place let us know.
Enjoy the snow!
Speaking of February...we need donations at this time of year. We would love all those things you really did not use for Christmas and we need dishes, dishes, dishes. Fancy dishes, kitchen ware and all the general everyday stuff works as well as jewellery. We also seek quality used goods in clothing as well.
Speaking of jewellery, we will be sponsoring a new lady from our community who needs help marketing her wares. We will purchase for resale and see how that goes. Costs will range from $40 to $60 and her stuff is really well done. I will post pictures soon.
New challenges await us as we seek a new place to do this work. As they say in retail, "location, location location!" And we need about 3000 sq ft to carry on. If you know of a place let us know.
Enjoy the snow!
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