Meet the category winners: Strengthening community connection
See the videos submitted by the Xero Beautiful Business Fund winners in the strengthening community connection category.
Global winner: The Bowling Club | New Zealand
The Bowling Club is a community eatery offering $4 meals—or free for anyone in need. Originally a food truck, it now serves an average of 900 meals per night with a team of 23 staff members. The funding will go towards a new blast chiller and storage to help meet growing community needs.
Website: https://thebowlingclub.co.nz/
Zenly | Australia
Zenly is a sensory haven for neurodivergent adults and teens to move, rest and connect. They provide daily yoga, pilates, weights and meditation classes, as well as hosting in-demand skills groups. The funding will go towards building a new therapy room and expanding their community support.
Website: https://www.zenly.com.au/
Well Suited Kingston | Canada
Well Suited Kingston (WSK) is a not-for-profit that promotes the economic independence and wellbeing of men in need. They provide free work-appropriate attire and life skill workshops such as job interview preparation. The funding will help WSK to grow the peer support they provide their community.
Website: https://www.wellsuitedkingston.com/
Foreword Coffee | Singapore
Foreword Coffee is a social enterprise with a mission to mainstream disability and normalise inclusion through their cafes. Over 80% of their employees identify as a person with a disability or having a mental health issue. They’ll use the funding to subsidize their training centre setup to upskill their staff in different areas of their business.
Website: https://forewordcoffee.com/
The Underdog Project | South Africa
The Underdog Project is a non-profit that connects underprivileged youth and shelter dogs to inspire collective healing. They work with local youth to build life skills and teach humane education in conjunction with force-free dog training with shelter dogs. They’ll use the funding to establish a permanent peer-leader program for previous graduates.
Website: https://underdogproject.org/
ArtWorks South Yorkshire | UK
ArtWorks is a non-profit creative arts organization, helping adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential and develop important life skills through creative workshops and placements. The funding will help them relocate to a new studio and deliver new workshops to create for-profit murals.
Website: https://www.artworks-sy.co.uk/
The Chicago Tool Library | US
The Chicago Tool Library is a non-profit library of things that lends thousands of items to help with home repair, gardening, camping and more, in an affordable and sustainable way. They'll use the funding to expand their community program, purchase high-demand items, and increase staff capacity.
Website: https://www.chicagotoollibrary.org/