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The Queensway : Innovation + Job News

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After 75 years, Goodwill keeps creating new jobs -- Etobicoke store opens, hires 30

Most people know the organization Goodwill for its second-hand stores -- places where you can donate old clothes and household goods rather than landfilling them, and places where you can find bargains on used goods, too.

But for the 75 years of its existence, the charitable organization has been primarily in the business of employment -- it was created with a mandate to "create work opportunities and skills development for people facing serious barriers to employment." Those barriers, according to Goodwill's Toronto communications advisor Julia Dyck, can include lack of experience, youth, language barriers, disabilites and a host of other obstacles.

As it celebrates its diamond anniversary, the charity opened a new store and drive-through donation centre in Toronto this week in Etobicoke, at 871 Islington Avenue just south of the Queensway. The story will create 30 new jobs in the community.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Julia Dyck, Advisor, Communications and External Relations, Goodwill Greater Toronto

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Eventscape structure for success

Eventscape's success can be tied to quality talent and customers from near and far that regard Toronto as a world-class city. So too can it be tied to the vision of its CEO and founder, Gareth Brennan, who was recently named the CEO of the Year at the national Design Exchange Awards.
 
Established in 1993, Eventscape started out in Brennan's basement. It has since grown by leaps and bounds, employing 70 people at its 70,000-square-foot facility on Bestobell Road. The designer and manufacturer of top quality, custom structures serves the exhibit and architectural markets. Ninety per cent of the projects Eventscape completes are permanent architectural solutions that take on any form, using any material, and are built on any scale.
 
A quick peek at some of Eventscape's clientele reveals how well-regarded it is: the firm has done work at the White House in Washington, D.C., at Lester B. Pearson International Airport for Pope John Paul II's 2002 visit, and for past U.S. Open tennis tournaments.
 
"We've got some of the best, most creative people in the world living and working here; some of the top architects and designers," Brennan said. "When we exhibit internationally, Toronto has a great reputation (for its creative industry) . . . we're close to all of the major design destinations in the U.S. and shipping is highly affordable and reliable into the U.S."
 
In mid-2009, Brennan founded a second business in Toronto called Troop. He said he uses it as an artistic outlet, designing avant-garde furniture pieces and sculptures.
 
"It's focused on manufacturing limited editions of sculptures and works of art; it's my passion at the moment," he said. "It's my creative outlet and a means to keep on challenging myself."

Writer: Liam Lahey
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