Goods4Causes: Simplifying Online Sales for Immigrant Artisans

With immigration on the rise, and 55 per cent of newcomers below the poverty line in London,

Good Neighbors Canada is working to reduce inequalities in our community

London — February 2021— This year, the international non-profit Good Neighbors Canada is offering spots on their online store, Goods4Causes, to newcomers in London, Ontario, who sell handmade products. Called “The Birch Tree Initiative” – a symbol of new beginnings –, the project addresses the impact of the pandemic on immigrants and refugees, which exacerbated economic and social disparities.

With a grant from the COVID-19 Response Fund from the London Community Foundation (LCF), Good Neighbors offers the use of their online marketplace free of charge. They also take care of website maintenance, communications, and digital marketing campaigns. Vendors can price their products themselves and will receive 100% of their sales.

“This is an opportunity for vendors to test online sales without making a big investment”, said Cecile Klerks, Project Manager. “It could also be the first time someone is given the chance to participate in our local economy”.

Goods4Causes

The online store Goods4Causes has been showcasing products from Good Neighbors’ cooperatives abroad and partner organizations in Canada. The non-profit wants to expand the work they do internationally for income generation, developing social entrepreneurship locally.

The Vital Signs report, prepared by the LCF, identifies that 55 per cent of newcomers in London live at or below the poverty line. “There is clearly a demand. We hope that by opening our online store for new vendors, and helping them market their handmade items, they are able to reach a wider audience”, said Cristina Ramirez, Social Enterprise Online Project Coordinator. “If COVID-19 restrictions and market cancellations limited their sales, this is a quick and inexpensive way to expose their work to new customers”.

Successful vendors will not only generate income, but also showcase their skills to the local community, which can lead to a sense of belonging and benefit their well-being as local citizens.

About Good Neighbors Canada

Good Neighbors Canada is a registered charity founded in 2017 in London, Ontario. They are part of a global humanitarian non-profit that has been working for social change since 1991. Only five years after their foundation, Good Neighbors have achieved General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) for their work with refugees. In 2021, they are celebrating 30 years internationally.

For more information:

https://goodneighborscanada.ca/goods4causes | https://www.goods4causes.ca/birch-tree-initiative

Organization:

Good Neighbors Canada
201 King Street,
London, ON, N6A 1C9
1 (833) 614-GOOD (4663) 
www.gncanada.ca

Contact:

Cecile Klerks, Project Manager
1 (833) 614-4663 – Ext. 703
cklerks@gncanada.ca

Contact, press only:

Tatiana van Oortmerssen
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
1 (833) 614-4663 – Ext. 704
tatiana.vo@gncanada.ca