About Us

Our Vision

We envision a community that exemplifies Canadian values, where all people realize their full potential and have the opportunity to belong in, and contribute to, a prosperous and inclusive society.

Our Mission

Social Enterprise for Canada has a dual mission:

  • We promote integration and equity for diverse populations in need through promoting community development and providing direct human services for unmet needs.
  • Our Enterprise Mission, through fee for service earned income programs, promotes integration and equity for diverse populations in need by promoting community development, and by providing direct human services for unmet needs.

Our Values

  • Respect and Human Dignity – is the super ordinate goal that guides everything we do. We offer opportunities and service that empower individuals to enhance their lives and integrate into Canadian society with dignity.
  • Honesty, Integrity and Ethical Behaviour – means basing one’s actions on an internally consistent set of principles. One is said to have integrity to the extent that everything one does and believes is based on the same core set of values. At SEC, this is articulated in responsibility and accountability. We are tested on this – more forces pushing to do what is most desired versus what is right.
  • Innovation – means creativity and “outside the box” thinking in order to provide professionalism, passion and self sufficiency in everything we do.
  • Equity and Fairness – we value equity of access and opportunity for all.
  • Entrepreneurial Risk-Taking – we are willing and able to identify opportunities, assess their risk/benefit mix, and reach consensus regarding whether a risk is or is not justified.
  • Pursuit of Excellence – at SEC, we strive to achieve the highest quality in service / program delivery and in recognized effective business practices.
  • Collaboration and Cooperation – we value cooperation, working well with others, partnership. This assumes an open mind, effective communication, seeking the understanding of other parties’ needs, interaction, and focusing on developing solutions.

Who We Are

Social Enterprise for Canada (SEC) is a not-for-profit, registered charity that develops and manages a number of benevolent and social purpose services. These services include Family, Youth and Children’s Services, Newcomer Services and Strategic Consulting Services. You may know us under our former name, York Region Neighbourhood Services or YNS.

SEC also owns a single share profit corporation known as Social Enterprise Canada Corporation, which develops and operates business ventures such as Bridge Translations™, whose earned income serves to support SEC’s social mandate.

Learn More about Us

At SEC, we are committed to public good and the provision of social services within the context of culture, community and family. We are particularly interested in the healthy development of children and youth. Throughout our history, we have been concerned with the issues of equity, diversity and access to services. SEC understands that a healthy civil society is a blend of strong economic foundations in concert with rich social capital and community support.

We are proud to be a forerunner in the evolution and practice of social enterprise. Click here for more information.

Social Enterprise for Canada (SEC) meets the requirements of accessibility standards established by AODA regulations. Follow the link below to read the SEC Customer Service Policy.

Customer Service Policy – Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA)

Social Enterprise for Canada maintains a fragrance-free workplace and as a result, ask employees, clients, partners and visitors to refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes and scented lotions or hair sprays on our premises. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in this matter.

Board of Directors

The organization is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors. Each Member of the Board has outstanding management and civic leadership experience that far exceed the needs of the organization. Each member brings a broad range of experience and knowledge in a variety of sectors, providing SEC with a global vision of our operating environment.

 

  • Al Duffy, President
  • Vincenzina (Vinnie) Berman, Director
  • Richard Quinney, Treasure
  • Michael Raffa, Director

Executive Management

Patricia Cousins

Chief Executive Officer

Ajlal Haider

Director of Information Technology

Eric Chen

Director of Finance

Awards

We are proud to have been the recipient of many awards in the past years.

  • “In appreciation for your support of Youth at Risk” by Epilepsy Ontario – 1999
  • Spirit of Community Award 2000 “York Region Neighbourhood Service, A Champion in York Region”, CAYRE, a charitable organization whose mission is to fund opportunities for children in York Region
  • The Boys and Girls Club of York Region – “Provisional Member High Five Quality Assurance Process – High Five Quality at Play™ Lifelong Learning Begins with Child Play” – 2001
  • Certificate of Appreciation “Living in York Region” Social Service Exhibition and Summer Extravaganza, by the York Region Chinese Social Service Network – 2000
  • Investing in Community – 2002
  • United Way of York Region “In appreciation of your outstanding contribution Building a Caring Community” – 2002
  • Certificate of Appreciation by the “Council for the Town of Newmarket and the Youth & Recreation Centre recognize and thank York Region Neighbourhood Services (YNS) for their strong support of the Newmarket Youth and Recreation Centre” – 2002
  • Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario “Certificate of Recognition presented to York Region Supervised Access Program in recognition of your 10th year providing Supervised Access Service in your community” – 2002
  • The Ontario Trillium Foundation Strong Community – 2004
  • Bell Canada Award of Excellence presented to Boys and Girls Club of York Region “For innovation in program delivery for young people: One80 Youth Entertainment Newspaper” – 2004
  • The Youth Anti-Tobacco Action Coalition and Community Partners recognizing Heartyparty.com
  • “In honour of the 15th Anniversary of the Supervised Access Program 1992-2007, Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the success of this valuable service to the children and families in Ontario”, Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario
  • Triple P in York Region, Positive Parenting Program. “Small Changes. Big Differences”.
  • “High Five Ontario Registered Organization Boys and Girls Club of York Region has committed to provide the highest quality recreation and sport programs to children aged 6 to 12”. – 2008

Contractual Financial Partners

We gratefully acknowledge and thank our past and present investors. Without their continued support, we would not be able to serve our communities.
  • The Ontario Trillium Foundation
  • The Laidlaw Foundation
  • Human Resources and Skills
  • Development Canada
  • The Regional Municipality of York
  • Health Canada
  • Ministry of Tourism Recreation and Culture
  • Ontario Ministry of Community and
  • Social Services
  • Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
  • Ministry of the Attorney General
  • Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada