A CHANCE MEETING |
In the Fall of 2012, soon after Skwachàys Lodge and the Urban Aboriginal Fair Trade Art Gallery opened, Jon Zwickel, president of InnVentures Hospitality Corp. visited the Gallery. While there, he happened to meet David Eddy, CEO of VNHS, the not-for-profit society that owns the building. It is home to 24 supportive housing live/work studios whose residents are First Nations artists and two social enterprises – the 18-suite Hotel and the Gallery.
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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE |
Under the social enterprise business model, 100% of the Hotel and Gallery profits flow directly to the non-profit owner. This arrangement reduces VNHS’s dependence on government subsidies and private donations while enabling it to continue its mandate of providing safe, transitional, affordable housing to Vancouver’s urban Aboriginal population.
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BOUTIQUE HOTEL |
The Lodge had been moderately successful, but Jon saw the potential for further improvement by strengthening the connection between the Gallery, the Hotel and the artists-in-residence. Donating his time and resources, Jon worked pro-bono for two years to transform the modest lodge into a luxury boutique hotel.
Six Aboriginal artists were selected to create a vision and theme for each of the hotel suites. The artists were teamed with six interior design firms who donated their services. Jon and the designers brought together dozens of industry colleagues who donated more than $600,000 in cash, goods and services to meticulously renovate the Lodge. Everyone involved understood that by increasing Hotel and Gallery revenues, they were establishing a sustainable cycle of positive social impact. The group fulfilled a vision of transforming Skwachàys Lodge into a highly successful boutique hotel that has social impact while giving guests the opportunity to experience and celebrate authentic Aboriginal arts and culture. |
RECOGNITION |
In recognition of Jon’s work at Skwachàys, he was the recipient of the 2016 Canada’s Volunteer Award in the Business Leader category for British Columbia and the North. The award included a $5,000 grant which Jon used as seed money to establish The Wheel Community Fund.
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