We bring together youth with disabilities (both visible and not), trained therapeutic riding horses, and highly qualified trainers for a special experience for both the rider and their family. Horses are known for being sensitive creatures, in tune with their riders, and regular participation in our program allows for physical, social and emotional development.

Learn more by visiting their website here

The Social Enterprise Hub is a new innovative, collaborative and state of the art building coming to Saint John’s Waterloo Village. The 15-thousand square foot building will have three floors and feature a social enterprise café, office space, training facilities, special event rooms and community space. The Hub will allow entrepreneurs, non-profits, social enterprises, and private sector businesses to come together and work in a space that fosters creativity, entrepreneurship and social impact.

Permanent tenants moving into the SE Hub include:

• Saint John Learning Exchange: Innovates, educates and empowers individuals through our no fee education and employment programs which includes literacy, essential training and finding sustainable employment. Leader in Social Enterprises, while creating sustainable employment.
• Saint John Community Loan Fund: Resource for micro business loans, employment loans, housing loans, Social Enterprise loans, and training
• Pond Deshpande Centre: Catalyst to advance innovation in New Brunswick by facilitating collaboration amongst young entrepreneurs, young companies, students, faculty and alumni
• Yoga Co-op:  A safe and friendly yoga studio that is open to everyone
• Stone Soup Café: Social enterprise that combines three essential components of a healthy life: meaningful work and whole, fresh foods
• College of Extended Learning: The lifelong learning outreach arm of the University of New Brunswick that offers programs for all kinds of people at all stages of life
• Dioné Cosmetics: Startup company that helps you "Live Life Beautifully" by bringing you the best-of- the-best in Professional Quality Makeup!
• Reaction Events: Custom designed parties built on a foundation of physical activity, healthy choices and education. Eco-Friendly is just a bonus!
• Human Development Council: Identifies and addresses social issues in Greater Saint John through research, information, coordination and networking.
• Voila! Cleaning Services Ltd.: Social enterprise that provides top quality cleaning services and meaningful employment
• ACAP: Works to improve Saint John's environment through outreach, restoration and research

We are inviting The Chamber to be part of the Hub, a catalyst for innovative entrepreneurs, social enterprises and non-profits working together to build a community that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. To learn how you can get involved, contact us at loanfund@nbnet.nb.ca.

PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools) is an initiative developed in Saint John, NB to help address the needs and implications associated with students living in poverty. In the 15^th year of operation, PALS has grown from one school and one partner to over 30 schools and more than 130 partners.

The PALS initiative is looking for interested businesses and their employees, community groups and service groups to partner with neighborhood schools to “make a difference” in the lives of our youth.

Each partnership is unique as a result of the school with which you partner, the nature of your organization and the individual needs of the school.  There is no “cookie cutter” mold for the shape of a partnership. Within the PALS community, smaller organizations and groups are valued for their contribution as well as larger organizations.  Some schools may have only one partner while others may have multiple partners.  As a partner you may wish to align yourself with only one school but you have the option of aligning yourself with multiple schools and becoming a “global partner”.

Partners can enrich the lives of students in a number of ways, including providing time during the work week for employees to volunteer (mentoring, tutoring, coaching, breakfast programs, etc.), sharing expertise, and/or by assisting a school financially. These opportunities expose students to experiences that support literacy and numeracy, increase self-esteem and self-confidence, and help close the achievement gap.

Poverty reduction remains the central focus of the PALS initiative in Saint John, however schools both in Saint John and elsewhere have developed PALS partnerships for a variety of reasons, a testament to its adoptability and adaptability. This concept of partnering organizations with schools has been modeled in many jurisdictions within Canada stretching from coast to coast.

Partnerships (the school working with their partners) have a positive impact on virtually every facet of school life. A PALS partnership is a way to contribute to real community change - a dedicated school staff and parent group, together with community volunteers and financial support, can make a significant impact on the future of our children.

We thank the contributions and efforts of all our current partners – you are helping to change the lives of the children of our community and the future of Greater Saint John! The Anglophone South School District is a most valuable partner – without their commitment and cooperation, none of our efforts would be possible! And a special mention to the educators and staff of each of our schools – they are on the front line every day and provide our children with the most important tool for their future - a great education!

For those of you who are not yet involved, we hope we have sparked your interest in finding out a bit more about becoming a PALS partner! For more information please contact:

Deborah Fisher,                                                             Susan Tipper

PALS Coordinator,                                                         PALS High School Coordinator

506-632-6071                                                                 506-632-5128

fisher.deborah@jdirving.com                                     tipper.susan@jdirving.com