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Building Opportunities with Business Follow: Vancouver, British Columbia; Business Services; Interests: Community Development, Social Change; http://www.buildingopportunities.org/

About Building Opportunities with Business

Our Story

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Building Opportunities with Business (BOB) is a non-profit organization with the goal to support local business development and increase job opportunities for inner-city residents.

The inner-city communities encompass Vancouver's birthplace and include Chinatown, Strathcona, Oppenheimer, Victory Square, Gastown, Mount Pleasant and Downtown South. Rich in history, these important neighbourhoods offer numerous parks and public spaces, they contain creative and cultural districts and heritage structures and they offer infrastructure assets and a diverse and talented multi-cultural population. The downtown eastside has known prosperity but has seen economic decline over the years.

Today, revitalization and regeneration is occurring in the downtown eastside. Residents, businesses, community groups, governments and a myriad of organizations are working together to ensure that the local residents and businesses benefit from this renewed interest and investment in the area. BOB is working toward: Revitalization Without Displacement.

BOB's Purpose

To support a development model for Vancouver's inner-city that is inclusive of existing residents and businesses. BOB is committed to improving the business climate by:

Strengthening the inner-city’s community capacity
Identifying and capitalizing on untapped business opportunities in the inner-city
Improving employment opportunities for inner-city residents
Increasing investment and visitors to the downtown eastside

Our Journey

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

Diego and Danielle What a day! We had the privilege of serving our last client. Congratulations to Diego who will be working in quality assurance in Richmond! It was so LOVELY to have Frank come by. We first met Frank about 4 years ago as he began work at Rona. ...

1 month, 2 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (1) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

On our last day at BOB, we thought we’d take a few minutes to have a look at some of the highlights of the last year. There were many big changes, new faces, and lots of community members served! Celebrations and Awards In March Liz Charyna received the BC Career ...

1 month, 2 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (1) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

We want to send out a huge thank you to every client that we have had the privilege to know here at BOB. It’s been an honor to meet with you, share about your journey, and see so many people transition onto the job and begin reaching their goals in ...

1 month, 2 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (1) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

It was great to hear all about the Cycleback Training Program, on the CBC Morning Edition with Margaret Gallagher on High Velocity. Listen to Lani Johnson, who will be coordinating the program, Ed Luciano of Mighty Riders, from one of the students and how the program is going so far! ...

1 month, 3 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (1) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

Hi All BOB is happy to support and share with you an upcoming event for two of our favorite groups, Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association and Our Social Fabric.

2 months, 1 week ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (3) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

2 months, 1 week ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (1) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

Over the past six years, the BOB Supported Employment Program team has been privileged to partner with community service providers and businesses to provide support to people who have had challenges in finding and keeping a job. The work has been gratifying as we've seen people grow in confidence and ...

2 months, 1 week ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

Liz Charyna and Lani Johnson were honored to present at the BC Career Development Association’s annual conference. Supporting individuals facing multiple barriers to be successful on the job can be complicated. What do they need to get on the job? What are the secrets to success on the job? Pulling ...

2 months, 1 week ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (1) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

This morning on the CBC Morning Edition, Liz Charyna and Les Chrome were interviewed by Margaret Gallagher. They spoke about the changes at BOB and what is happening in the employment sector. We’ll be posting more details soon, but in the mean time.. Have a listen. Liz on the CBC

2 months, 3 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (1) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

There are a lot of changes in employment services happening over the next couple of months. We want to start communicating about what is still available in the neighborhood for employment support as there are a number of important services shutting down. You are welcome to help us add to ...

2 months, 3 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

February 2012 Thank you Emily! Emily Smith started at BOB March 2011 as our Office Coordinator. She is starting her maternity leave this month, and we bid her farewell with excitement during this exciting time! Her organization, cheery smile and creativity will be missed. Although we are all excited to ...

3 months ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

If you are from the inner city, enjoy working with your hands and love to see plants grow being an Urban Farmer may be a good job for you! At the Hiring Fair you will: Learn about Urban Farming Learn about SOLEfood Urban Farm Apply for work at the farm ...

3 months ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

Nick with Danielle of BOB, as he's about to start work as a Service Technician. There are a lot of changes in employment services happening over the next couple of months. We want to start communicating about what is still available in the neighborhood for employment support as there are ...

3 months ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

BOB is happy to be involved with preparing candidates for the upcoming Northern BC Job Fair. Check out the poster for event details. Northern BC We will be offering to meet with individuals interested in: How to make a good first impression Personal presentation – Hair Cuts, clothing Interview Skills ...

3 months ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

Hello BOB blog readers! Here is a letter from the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens. Let’s help make them one of the “Great Public Spaces” in Canada! The real competition is a few places in Toronto.. Now we love Toronto.. But we love Vancouver more! And we want to show off ...

3 months, 4 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

In December we co-hosted a fabulous holiday open house with Tradeworks Training Society. With over 70 guests attending from the agencies and businesses we work with, it was a smashing success! Here are a few highlights: Dafna Ohana of the Job Shop put together some beautiful party platters. She used ...

4 months, 1 week ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

January 2012 Celebrating Our Community Partners In December we held our annual holiday open house in cooperation with Tradeworks. It was a delightful and well-attended event—the perfect place to celebrate our community partners! We honoured employers Impark and Trimpac-Sysco for their outstanding commitment to hiring local inner-city residents and ...

4 months, 1 week ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

Check out this great community effort to fund raise for the kids at Admiral Seymour Elementary in Strathcona! The 200 block of Union Street is getting together on December 2nd to host a fabulous event including film, music, food and local boutiques. It all starts at Hogan’s Alley Cafe at ...

5 months, 2 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

Thanks very much to everyone who participated in our survey. As most of you know, government funding for employment programs is changing, and unless we can find a way to fund this work, we will no longer be able to offer supported employment services to people that really need the ...

5 months, 3 weeks ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like

Building Opportunities with Business Posted a news article :

"They looked after me, now I can look after them" Jack Johnson* is a maintenance worker at the Lookout who truly appreciates the value of a daytime work schedule and a book of bus tickets. Jack was formerly a hotel banquet manager. As a self-described workaholic, the stressful twelve hour ...

6 months, 1 week ago by Wesley Regan • Comment (0) • Like