Homelessness is a palpable social ill in Atlanta. Experts estimate more than 10,000 people in the state become homeless every day. There’s no doubt that homelessness has a grip on Atlanta’s streets and one organization that is intimately engaged with the issue here in Atlanta, is United Way. United Way has been working to reduce homelessness for decades and now they are starting a new conversation about how to approach this complex social issue.
On April 29, United Way hosted a Colloquium on Social Enterprise. The city’s leaders in Social Enterprise gathered to discuss how social enterprise can be a big part of the solution to homelessness in Atlanta and what lessons we can learn from each other as businesses that are dedicated to the social good.
The Colloquium was exciting because it addressed a breadth of issues within social entrepreneurship but addressed challenges that are most prevalent in Atlanta. The event opened with the question of what social enterprise is and some of the special challenges that come with being a social enterprise that’s addressing homelessness.
All the guests enjoyed a lunch where we were able to enjoy some really solid keynote speakers each with a distinct perspective on social enterprise and homelessness. Former Mayor Shirley Franklin, Program Director of the King Center, Wesley Tharpe, and President and CEO of the Social Enterprise Alliance, Lisa Nitze each delivered inspiring and informative speeches.
It then went into various panels and workshops that broached subjects like collaboration, sustainability, and our favorite subject, technology and business management. We were glad to be represented on a panel about technology’s role in social enterprise management. Marty Maxwell, ifPeople’s Project Director discussed with other panelists how technology can be used to strengthen and maximize the efficiency of social enterprises.
At Innovation for People, we know an idea is only as good as the quality of its execution. We work tirelessly to help social enterprises use technology as a tool that brings our clients closer to their goals.All the ideas that are coming to the surface through this event are an encouraging signal for us. It’s a sign that the sector is growing locally and values driven businesses are taking their place in the market. Let’s continue to put our heads together through events like these to build the kind of thriving social economy we want to see.
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