Let me be the first to admit that I had no idea what the Center for Social Innovation (CSI) was until I began my journey as an intern at the Canadian Arab Institute. It's a shame, really, because the CSI is one of the coolest centers for anyone who is in search for an inclusive and positive environment that inspires creativity and humanitarianism.
Plainly stated, the Center for Social Innovation is a space made available for organizations and/or individuals - with social missions and a desire to change the world - to come together to share their innovative ideas and put into practice their humanitarian hopes. In other words, the CSI is home to creative minds and huge hearts that wish to share their visions of a better future with other creative minded and huge-hearted humans.
As a creative mind and big-hearted human myself, I find the Center for Social Innovation to be a positive and inclusive space for these 5 reasons:
1. The CSI promotes Cooperation:
Individuals working in the Center for Social Innovation are expected to share space and share resources. There are over 30 desks of all sizes set up in one giant room, and a collection of basic office resources for everyone to use collectively. This set up forces us all to work cooperatively with one another in order to increase efficiency.
This is the open-concept office space of the CSI located in Regent Park (the Canadian Arab Institute's office - where I work - is to the right, next to the zebra patterned chairs).
2. The CSI encourages Thinking and Innovation:
The environment is just so bright and uplifting - there is always something that will catch your eye and invoke your mind to spin with curiosity. Supportive quotes and inspiring artwork decorate the walls, cool and intricately patterned carpets layer the hardwood floors, and miss-matched furniture fill the space of the CSI community room.
3. The CSI is a safe and affordable space:
It is a space for students and young creators who may not have sufficient financial support to carry their ideas through. The CSI provides the security of a safe and affordable space so that creative minds can focus on implementing their social programs without worrying about securing an affordable workspace.
4. The CSI is Cozy:
And by cozy, I mean everything you may need to be as comfortable as you wish is made available. Tea and coffee may be found in the kitchen in the community room. There are couches and chalk and colouring books and a balcony for those moments where you want to scream out to the world, "Yes, I found heaven and yes, it's right here!"
5. The CSI promotes Co-Working and Partner-Making:
There are countless numbers of charity organizations, non-profit organizations, and individual humanitarians working in the Center for Social Innovation. Each individual is encouraged to wear a lanyard that identifies their name and the organization they are affiliated with, making it simple for us to identify one another. Given the open-concept nature of the Center, we are all encouraged as members to get to know one another and take the time to learn about one another's ideas.
My very own lanyard. The reverse side says "Joy - Always Joyful"
The CSI gathers individuals who share the same passion for changing the world and places them all together in one room to innovate and materialize their humanitarian hopes.
The best part of the Center for Social Innovation is that it is a reflection of the world it seeks to create - a space that promotes creativity, inclusivity and possibilities.
Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed.