The Orléans Youth Resource Centre is what we are but SKETCH Orléans is our real name!  Plain and simple... it's "somewhere to go and something to do" for Orléans youth.  We're only beginning so come check us out from time to time to see what's new... let us know if you would like something specific... and let's put Orléans on the map!

Step 1: get started!  More activities and events specifically for teenagers.

Step 2: get everyone involved!  Teens, you, parents, businesses, schools, EVERYONE!

Step 3: develop more programs!  For example: Our surveys with youth have told us that they want more jobs and that they want more help to get jobs.  We'll get to that...

Step 4: get an actual location where teens can just chill and be themselves!  Actually, maybe this should be number 1... it's our main goal - everybody has been saying this loud and clear!  We're just going to get through the first 3 steps before we get to it because we want to make sure that it happens and that it's as cool as it should be... :)

I hear you would like to be a social enterprise... what is that?

The Governement of Canada provides the following definition for social enterprises: "Social economy enterprises are a component of the social economy that are run like businesses, producing goods and services for the market economy, but manage their operations and redirect their surpluses in pursuit of social and environmental goals.”

Basically, we are a nonprofit organization that is working like a business.  We want to have an economic activity on the market in order to generate revenue that we can use to realize our (social) mandate with youth.  In other words, money does not go in our pockets and we do not maximize profits... revenues go in the organization so that we can do even more for youth and profits stay in the community.

This also means developing a business plan and taking time to do things one step a time.  But, if we do it right, it should be part of the key for our long-term success and also ensure our financial sustainability... well to some extent at least!