Creating a solidarity economy in Surrey, BC

  • WHAT

    Based in Surrey, B.C. we help people from racialized backgrounds build their own enterprises, primarily but not exclusively in the form of worker co-operatives.

  • WHY

    We believe that through working co-operatively together over an extended period of time, we can foster a greater sense of place and belonging, and a different way of being in the world.

  • HOW

    We help our cohorts grow and thrive through mentorship, co-working space, funding, technical training, resources, and other organizational support.

☀️ Co-directors Jshan Jassal and Mahado Hassan led a workshop on community care for the folks over at Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op! Jshan and Mahado were invited to talk about cultural safety and anti-racism in the workplace as part of the co-
⚙️ Our co-op development team were workshop presenters at @ccinstitute1936 2024 conference called "Limitless: Imagining Brighter Futures"! The team presented a workshop on worker co-ops and the solidarity economy with examples from Solid
Our latest newsletter is out! 🗞️ Here are some of the highlights. Subscribe to read the rest, including updates from some of the many awesome co-ops at Solid State! To subscribe: You can go to our website and scroll to the bottom to add your name
🌱 Woah! The Cleaning Co-op (TCC) has grown so much! In just under a year, TCC started from three worker-owners to now having 16! Here are some of them hard at work. 🚗 Did you know TCC is also partnered with @modo_carcoop? In addition to cleaning
👏 Guess what. We had the good fortune of hosting LEANNE BETASAMOSAKE SIMPSON, renowned Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer and artist last Friday night at @theblackartscentre. Leanne created a thoughtful but familial setting with her work as
👋 Thanks @meganmdykeman for stopping by for lunch and meeting with some of the Food Hub team! Always a pleasure to host you. (L-R: Marcelo, Trixie, Asha, Megan and Chris Galloway - one of our friends from Co-Active Developments helping us with the p

CHECK OUT OUR INSTAGRAM | @solidstatecoop

SSCI Values

  • SOLIDARITY ECONOMY

    Solidarity Economy refers to a wide range of economic activities that aim to prioritize social profitability instead of purely financial profits. SSCI and its members are dedicated to creating positive social change and profitability for our community. SSCI co-ops and cohorts each have hopes, goals, and intention beyond simply making a profit.

  • SURREY-CENTRIC

    As one of the fastest-growing, most diverse, youth-filled cities in Canada, SSCI is proud to have it’s HQ grounded in the heart of the City of Surrey. SSCI dedicates itself to creating and maintaining consistent and meaningful connection to Surrey, its community and organizations.

  • COMMUNITY-CENTRED

    While the larger Surrey area and community can feel fragmented and disconnect at times, community is at the heart of our organization. Made up of youth from 30+ national backgrounds, the SSCI model is about building long-term attachments and commitments, while cultivating meaningful, cross-culture, inter-generational connections.

  • EXPERIMENT & INNOVATE

    With our passion for youth, solidarity economics and Surrey, it’s safe to say: SSCI is future-focused. Dedicated to charting new narratives and finding different, better ways of being in the world, we’re not afraid to experiment and innovate, to take our time, to try something new. And once we’ve got “it”, we maximize its impact!

  • YOUTH AS LEADERS

    Through the way we work at SSCI, we’re focused addressing the endemic lack of opportunity and economic mobility for (but not exclusively) marginalized and migrant youth under 35 years old). SSCI is dedicated to empowering youth as decision makers and leaders, providing the resources and support young people need to carry out the important work that they are doing.