What does it mean to work? It’s a question we often answer with our job title or our salary. But work, in its truest sense, is so much more. It’s a cornerstone of human identity, a source of profound fulfilment that touches every aspect of our lives.
For every person, regardless of ability, work provides:
- A Sense of Purpose and Meaning: It gives us a reason to get up in the morning, a feeling of contributing to something larger than ourselves. This purpose is a vital ingredient for mental health and self-worth.
- Structure and Routine: A consistent schedule provides stability, helps manage time, and reduces feelings of aimlessness, which can be particularly beneficial for mental well-being.
- Social Connection: The workplace is a natural environment for building relationships, finding community, and combating loneliness. These connections are the fabric of a healthy, vibrant life.
- Skill Development and Confidence: Through our work, we learn, grow, and overcome challenges, building a sense of competence and pride that extends far beyond the job itself.
- Dignity and Contribution: Every task, from serving a customer to creating a product, is a way of serving others. It’s a powerful affirmation of our value and our place in society.
Work isn’t just a way to earn a living; it’s a way to live.
The Problem: A Crisis of Purpose for People with Disabilities
Given this profound value, the statistics on disability employment in Canada tell a startling story. They reveal a crisis of lost potential and dignity that our current systems are failing to address.
According to StatCan (2022):
- Approximately 645,000 unemployed people with disabilities aged 25-64 have the potential to work. This is a massive, untapped pool of talent.
- The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 6.9%, almost double the 3.8% for those without.
- This gap in employment is a direct contributor to poverty, with 16.5% of people with disabilities living below Canada’s poverty line, compared to 8.6% of those without.
These numbers are more than data points; they are a call to action. They highlight a fundamental failure to provide equal access to the life-giving benefits of work. Many people with disabilities and mental illness want to work, but face systemic barriers in profit-driven workplaces. They are often sidelined by a system that sees them as a challenge to be managed rather than a valuable asset to be embraced.
Profit-Driven vs. Social Purpose: Understanding the Difference
At its core, the reason for this gap lies in the difference between two models of employment:
- Profit-Driven Work prioritises productivity and profit above all else. Success is measured by the bottom line, and a business’s core purpose is to generate revenue for its owners. In this model, an individual’s value is often tied directly to their output, and a person with barriers to employment may be seen as a liability rather than an asset.
- Social Purpose Employment, by contrast, prioritises social outcomes and employee needs. Its primary goal is not to maximize profit, but to create a better world. In this model, a job is a tool for personal growth, community-building, and dignified contribution. The business succeeds not just by being profitable, but by transforming lives.
A Mission in Action: The Raw Carrot and Hope Centre Ministries
This is where the mission and vision of Hope Centre Ministries come to life. Our core belief is that everyone deserves to belong, and we are called to help churches better include people living with disabilities. We know that Jesus loves all people—that every person matters to God, and the body of Christ is strongest when everyone is included.
Bringing The Raw Carrot to Winnipeg is a powerful expression of this mission in action. It directly aligns with our core beliefs:
- The Giftedness of All: Our mission is to help individuals discover their gifts. The Raw Carrot provides a tangible way for people with disabilities to use their gifts in a meaningful work environment, affirming their unique talents and contributions.
- Fostering Christ-Centred Relationships: The supportive work environment is a place to build meaningful relationships and community. It is a tangible reflection of our mission to foster a supportive community where individuals can experience belonging.
- Empowerment and Dignity: Our vision is to empower individuals with disabilities. The dignity of work offers a path to empowerment and self-sufficiency that is consistent with the Gospel, which we believe is a victorious life freely available to all.
Our pursuit of The Raw Carrot Winnipeg is more than just a project—it’s our response to a deep-seated need in our community. We are committed to building a new pathway where purpose is not a privilege, but a right that is accessible to all. We invite you to learn more about our journey and the exciting progress we’ve made. For a deeper look into this project, read about The Aroma of Hope: The Raw Carrot Winnipeg Kitchen is Officially Open.
You Have the Power to Build a Stronger Winnipeg
Every Winnipegger has the power to support a more inclusive pathway to employment. By intentionally choosing to spend your money with social enterprises, you can directly contribute to a stronger, more equitable community. Your purchase becomes a powerful tool for change, telling businesses that social outcomes matter.
Supporting social purpose employment is vital to a stronger Winnipeg because:
- It Combats Poverty: Your purchases help create jobs that provide a living wage, directly lifting individuals and families out of poverty.
- It Builds a More Inclusive Society: You are helping to build a community where everyone, regardless of their challenges, has a chance to contribute their gifts.
- It Strengthens the Local Economy: Social enterprises often source locally, and the money earned by their employees stays in the community, creating a ripple effect of prosperity.
- It Paves the Way for Systemic Change: By supporting these models, you’re helping to demonstrate a better way to do business—one that prioritises people.
The Raw Carrot will soon be a new option for you to support in Winnipeg. But there are many other incredible social enterprises in our city that are working to build a more inclusive community. With every choice you make as a consumer, you have the opportunity to invest in a purpose that is bigger than the product itself.
Together, we can show that work is not just a job; it’s a lifeline. It’s about building a better, more inclusive Winnipeg for all.
