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WHAT
Based in Surrey, B.C. Solid State is made up of 25+ organizations working in diverse fields from farming to health care and everywhere in-between. We help racialized and migrant groups build their own enterprises, primarily but not exclusively in the form of worker co-operatives.
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WHY
We are working towards our goal of creating a solidarity economy; a way of living made by and for the people doing the work. We use the co-op model because we see it as highly capacious. It brings people together to work on a common project, build real-world skills, develop new mobilities and earn real income.
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HOW
We support the development of worker co-ops and social enterprises in our network with business planning, partnerships, co-working space, funding support, technical training, and connection to our wider community. Check out our biannual intake process to learn more!
What’s a Solidarity Economy?
A Solidarity Economy refers to a 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 for our community. SSCI co-ops and cohorts each have a vision on how to funnel wealth, opportunities, and resources back into their communities rather than simply making a profit.
Click to read more about solidarity economics:
Surrey Centric
As one of the fastest-growing, most diverse, youth-filled cities in Canada, SSCI is proud to have its 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
Solid State started by supporting a network of youth from 30+ national backgrounds and has grown into an organization that supports socially minded organizations in many sectors. The SSCI model is about building long-term attachments and commitments, while cultivating meaningful, cross-culture, inter-generational connections.
Experiment & Innovate
With a larger goal to create a solidarity economy in Surrey led and operated by racialized and migrant communities, 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, to take our time, to try something new.
CHECK OUT OUR INSTAGRAM | @solidstatecoop
SSCI Values
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.