Innovations

  • Created and designed the first One-Stop Transition Centre in Canada, called Beatrice House that provided a client-friendly process, integrating all of the stages needed to help each homeless mother become employed while also providing ECE to their children

 

  • Created a Health And Wellness Committee in York Region that connected mental health agencies, employment agencies, Veteran Affairs, police, and government agencies. It was considered a unique committee with a purpose of sharing information and resources that will ultimately benefit the clients (see blog)

 

  • Applied Mayo Clinic Approach to two non-profit organizations in order to increase the client experience and ensure client objectives were met (see blog)

 

  • Applied Logotherapy, Viktor Frankl’s “meaning-based” therapy to the design of programs at Inn From The Cold. All the programs had a clear purpose and were chosen to complete the overall, client process (see blog)

 

  • Developed a comprehensive employment program for people with mental health issues that again incorporated all the services and programs at the same location, integrated five outside service providers and then avoided duplication.

 

  • Created opportunities for our clients to “Give Back” and feel part of society (see blog)

 

  • Expanded Crumbaugh and Maholick’s “Purpose of Life Test” and used it as an initial test for the employment clients.
  • Developed a “Managing By Outcomes” operating model for non-profits that combined organizational alignment, purpose, and outcome and performance measures. Trained over 1000 leaders from across Canada.

 

  • Organized a “community-based” ice show combining top professional figure skaters like Toller Cranston with amateurs from local skating clubs to raise money for two local charities.

 

  • Organized a fundraising concert combining the Boys Choir of St. James Cathedral in Toronto with talented musicians from Dixon Hall’s music school. It was a way to increase St. James’s presence in the community, raise money for Dixon Hall and to make all feel welcome at the Cathedral.

Here’s What Others Have to Say

“Line of credit, which was established to assist with start up costs was repaid in full before the due date…we would have no hesitation working and supporting her in another business opportunity.”

Bill Clementi, Royal Bank of Canada – Read More

 

“Brenda propelled the Inn’s services to a self-sustaining model that includes a thriving catering business, a health and wellness and employment programs”

Joy Hulton, Chair, Inn From The Cold – Read More

 

“Brenda Northey is a social entrepreneur. …people like Brenda Northey will become increasingly important, if we are to maintain a civil society at a time when governments are cutting back their support for the needy and pulling back from their traditional responsibility for social progress”

David Crane, Toronto Star – Read More

“Dear Brenda,

You were brilliant in recognizing what could and should be done. Without your persistence in the importance of doing this, this concept would never have taken place. Thank you for your creative energy that was key in establishing Beatrice House.”

Fraser Mustard, Chair of Beatrice House – Read More

 

“Dear Brenda,

On behalf of the Foundation, I want to thank you for the remarkable job you have done in moving a germ of an idea…to your Canadian-based expression of an important vision for disadvantaged single mothers. I had the opportunity to see first-hand the integration of services under one roof and the staged process beginning with education and ending with a job.”

Charles E. Pascal, Atkinson Foundation – Read More

And From Her Earlier Days ...

“Impossible” Skate show big success…Brenda Northey fought back tears as a sellout audience of 4200 spectators rose in unison to reward the courageous efforts of the young 19 year old University of Western Ontario General Arts Student. In mounting “An Evening With Stars”, Northey pulled off what many had warned her was impossible…”

Jim Cressman, London Free Press – Read More

Brenda was the Show Manager for our most successful fundraising event, “From The Heart… A Gala on Ice”. Her role encompassed co-ordinating the entire logistics of the skating show. Her excellent organizational and management skills were reflected in the 12000 persons in attendance at Maple Leaf Gardens netting $337,000. Brenda’s enthusiasm and good humour was appreciated by all.

Rick Gallop, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario – Read More