VICTORIA - Volunteers building new homes for hard working, lower-income families or a café reinvesting its profits in neighbourhood programs and services. These are just a couple examples of Victoria-area social enterprises making a positive impact in their communities.

Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae showcased social enterprises on the legislature lawn today as part of Social Enterprise Month, including Habitat for Humanity Victoria and the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society.

Social enterprises differ from most traditional businesses in that profits are reinvested to achieve, sustain and further a social or environmental purpose. Based on a 2011 survey, B.C. social enterprises provided services to nearly 700,000 people and generated at least $60 million in revenues.

Today’s event was an opportunity to raise awareness of the growing social enterprise sector and its contribution to the strength and resiliency of B.C. communities. The Government of British Columbia has proclaimed April 2014 as Social Enterprise Month.

As an active member of the BC Partners for Social Impact, the B.C. government works with leaders in the field to promote and support social innovation and social enterprise across the province. Through this kind of collaboration, government is able to accomplish far more than it would if acting alone.