Create + Connect: Social Enterprise Studio

Create + Connect: Social Enterprise Studio is a hands-on mentorship and creative learning project by Resilient Hearts, empowering 10 young adults with developmental disabilities to develop entrepreneurial and life skills through crafts, art-making, and micro-enterprise creation.

Over six months, participants will meet weekly in a supported studio environment guided by 5 volunteer mentors — local artists, entrepreneurs, and community members — who will teach them the full process of designing, creating, pricing, and selling handmade products such as candles, crafts, or art prints.

Participants will learn practical business and financial literacy skills while developing teamwork, problem-solving, and communication abilities. The project will culminate in a Community Market Showcase, where participants will sell their handmade items, practice customer service, and celebrate their achievements with the public.

The Studio will operate from Resilient Hearts’ accessible space in Calgary, blending creativity, mentorship, and entrepreneurship in an inclusive setting. The approach supports skill development, social participation, and confidence-building, offering participants meaningful community engagement and the opportunity to contribute economically.

Ultimately, Create + Connect will demonstrate that young adults with disabilities can thrive as creative entrepreneurs when provided with mentorship, inclusion, and opportunity — inspiring both the participants and the community to see ability in new ways.

Create + Connect will benefit 10 young adults (ages 18–35) with developmental disabilities who face barriers to employment, independence, and community inclusion in Calgary. These individuals often have limited access to hands-on learning or creative business opportunities that build both confidence and real-world experience.

Through the program, participants will:

• Gain practical skills in product creation, budgeting, and marketing.

• Improve confidence and communication through mentorship and teamwork.

• Build connections with mentors, peers, and the broader community.

• Experience economic inclusion by selling their handmade goods.

The project will also benefit 5 volunteer mentors who will develop inclusive leadership skills, and families who will see their loved ones grow in independence. The wider Calgary community will benefit from exposure to inclusive entrepreneurship during the market showcase.

By focusing on a small cohort, the project ensures individualized attention, clear outcomes, and measurable progress — demonstrating that inclusion, creativity, and economic participation can thrive together.