# Maintenance Services Co-ops Self-Reliance Solutions Creates Employment Opportunities in Toronto By Rebecca Byers | Published 2012-11-20 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfreliance-solutions References: [self-reliance](http://www.self-reliance.ca/) We became aware of Toronto's Self-Reliance Solutions Inc. (SRS) during the pitch session by students of the [Ontario School for Social Entrepreneurs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/enhancing-access-to-spaces) at day one of the 2012 Social Finance Forum at Toronto's MaRS Centre. Self-Reliance Solutions offers commercial maintenance and cleaning services to the Toronto area and was formerly known as the Self-Reliance Workers' Co-op. SRS is a community initiative aiming to provide gainful employment to members of the Regent Park community, many of whom live in the rent-geared-to-income units of Toronto Community Housing, today employing 20 members of the community and being run independently by tenants of Regent Park. A full list of the comprehensive range of services offered by SRS is available on their [website](http://www.self-reliance.ca/services/). **Contact Information** Self-Reliance Solutions [website](http://www.self-reliance.ca/) Self-Reliance Solutions on [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/pub/self-reliance-solutions/43/85b/b27) Self-Reliance Solutions on [Twitter](http://twitter.com/SRS5903) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Community Maintenance Services:** There is an opportunity for businesses to provide maintenance and cleaning services to marginalized communities and create gainful employment opportunities. - **Socially Responsible Co-ops:** Businesses can operate as worker-owned cooperatives to provide gainful employment to underprivileged members of society while still remaining profitable. - **Rent-geared-to-income Employment:** Businesses could explore opportunities to provide employment to individuals living in rent-geared-to-income units of affordable housing in their communities. ### Who This Affects Most - **Janitorial Services:** There is an opportunity for janitorial services companies to collaborate with communities in providing employment opportunities for marginalized individuals. - **Affordable Housing:** Socially responsible businesses could explore opportunities to provide employment to residents of affordable housing complexes. - **Cooperative Businesses:** Cooperative businesses can be started to benefit communities with the mission of providing gainful employment opportunities to its members. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Restorative Wellness Clinics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sana.md) - [Empowering Homeless Youth Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tradeworx.md) - [Improved Homeowner Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garage-door-repairs.md) - [Customized Personal Care Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/right-at-home.md) - [AI-Enhanced Employment Accessibility](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/enabled-talent.md) - [Awareness-Raising Shoe Store Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soles4souls-canada.md) - [Eco-Friendly Self-Care Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/self-care-community-center.md) - [Inclusive Job Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inployable.md) - [Civic-Led Buy Local Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-local.md)