Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISE) Research Program – Synthesis – 2017 to 2022

On this page

• Background
• 1. Alleviating homelessness: quasi-experimental study
• 2. The WISE project for training at-risk youth
• 3. BC Work Integration Social Enterprises project
• 4. Field trials and evaluation of WISE programming in North Simcoe
• 5. WISE impact: an outcome study focused on WISE in the mental health sector
• 6. Research project on the effectiveness of Work Integration Social Enterprises (CRISES)
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Annex

Background

A Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE) helps vulnerable people who are trying to join the workforce. WISEs provide clients with on-the-job training and experience. There are 2 major types of WISEs: WISEs that train people to work in other businesses (transitional model) and WISEs that provide long-term employment within the organization (permanent employment model). WISEs offer a range of training and other supports, including social services.

Following preliminary work started in 2014, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) launched the WISE research program (2017 to 2022). The goal of the program was to gain a more complete understanding of the effectiveness of WISEs in promoting the social and labour market integration of vulnerable groups. Traditional WISE research has been primarily carried out through case studies. The program aimed to capture long-term outcomes.

ESDC funded this WISE research program under the Employment Insurance Part II Expenditure Plan for Pan-Canadian Projects. It consisted of 6 research projects, of which 4 were in Ontario, one was in Quebec, and one was in British Columbia. Participating organizations focus on different at-risk groups and vary in location, training programs and the supports they provide.

The research program was guided by the following questions:

1. are WISEs effective in promoting social and labour market integration of vulnerable individuals?
2. which WISE models and types of training work best?
3. how does the success of interventions vary based on different circumstances and recipients?
4. what is the return on investment for government?

This synthesis compiles the findings of the 6 projects' final reports, highlighting significant lessons that were learned and identifies areas for future research.

The findings for each report are included as distinct sections in the subsequent pages, followed by segments for additional considerations, and a final concluding statement at the end of the synthesis.

1. Alleviating homelessness: quasi-experimental study

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) and the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) conducted this study to assess the longitudinal socio-economic outcomes of WISE interventions for individuals in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The study compared one cohort that received a WISE intervention and another group who received support from community organizations. Details about the methodology, sampling strategy, characteristics of study participants, and the WISE partners are available in the annex of this synthesis. The following are the major findings of the study:

1.1 - Employment resiliency and improved satisfaction

The WISE and comparison groups demonstrated similar rates of unemployment at the baseline. By the final survey, over half of WISE participants reported that they were employed (36.7% full-time and 14.3% part-time) compared to two fifths of the comparison group (17% full-time and 22.6% part-time).

In year 3, the comparison group reported being consistently unemployed more often than the WISE group (51% vs. 30%), demonstrating how employment among WISE participants was more resilient. Additionally, among those who had lost a job, 18% of WISE participants were rehired by the final survey, 3 times more than the comparison group. Half of respondents from both groups agreed or strongly agreed that their participation had helped them bounce back after hard times.

After exiting the program, WISE participants reported high satisfaction with their training (4 out of 5) and their employment experience at the WISE (4.4 out of 5). WISE participants cited increases in self-esteem, improved ability to deal with challenging situations and improved life satisfaction as the top 3 areas of their lives that their WISE experience changed. The majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their experience helped them adapt to change. The interview findings indicated that the high levels of satisfaction and resiliency among participating WISEs and their clients could be due to:

• the relationships that WISE participants developed with WISE staff and other employees; and
• the hands-on training or paid employment in a safe and supportive environment

1.2 - Supporting health and well-being through a participant-centered approach

Mental health, addiction and trauma-related barriers are factors that increase unemployment among persons who have experienced homelessness. In the 3-year survey, over a third of the comparison group reported barriers due to challenges with health (disability/injury/illness) more than double the proportion of WISE participants.

Reliance on benefits from Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) as a source of income decreased by around 8% for the WISE participants between the 2-year and 3-year follow-up. WISE participants also reported nearly half the use of OW or ODSP as part of their income than the comparison group at the 3-year follow-up. This might be indicative of the nature of WISE employment, which typically includes support for employees facing workplace barriers. For example, the WISE partner "Building Up" uses a participant-centered approach that provides access to wrap-around supports needed to address unique employment barriers in addition to standard skills training and employment network building. Another partner "Gateway Linens" offers individualized programming (personalized supports based on screening of mental health challenges, and history of addiction). Other partners such as "DC Cleaning," "Hawthorne Food & Drink," and "Social Coffee Bean" also connect members with wrap-around support services. The interview findings suggest that an environment that supports members' health and well-being contributed to the outcomes of WISE participants.

However, a noteworthy proportion of both groups continued to report physical and mental health issues by the 3-year follow-up (after beginning to recover from the pandemic). During the third-year follow-up, 8.7% of the WISE participants disclosed substance use issues, half the amount reported by the comparison group. This suggests the existence of a range of persistent barriers experienced by the target population.

1.3 - Housing

Housing insecurity was a prominent issue during the COVID-19 pandemic and insight into the stability of housing is of particular interest for this study's target population. Between the 2-year and 3-year follow-up the housing challenges due to COVID-19 were slightly more pronounced for the comparison group (16.98%) than the WISE participants (10.20%).

During the 3-year follow-up, 37.74% of the comparison group reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted their social and community supports, more than double the incidence of impacts on WISE participants. While a similar proportion of WISE members initially reported that COVID-19 had impacted their social support systems, the WISE group experienced greater improvements.

At the end of the study, three quarters of the research subjects reported no change to housing in the past 12 months and there were no significant differences between the WISE participants and the comparison group. However, there was still evidence of precarious housing situations. At intake, a third of WISE participants were always worried and nearly half were sometimes worried about their current housing situation, while only a fifth of them were never worried. By the 3-year follow-up, less than a tenth of WISE participants were always worried, about a third were sometimes worried and more than half were never worried about housing. The cost of housing ranked as the greatest worry for both groups (20.4% of WISE participants and 34% of the comparison group). The research showed that, while WISE participants continue to experience challenges related to housing, the WISE group overall has a more positive outlook on their current housing situation.

2. The WISE project for training at-risk youth

This study focused on the socio-economic outcomes of WISE programs concentrating on the workforce integration of at-risk youth in Ontario. The project also aimed to assess whether WISE interventions produce better results than conventional youth training programs funded by the government that provide classroom-based training programs (for example, resume writing, job searching and interview skills, etc.). The study sample consisted of youth between the ages of 17 and 35 selected from 4 WISEs and 4 non-social enterprise (non-SE) non-profit organizations which provide classroom-based training programs.

Details about the methodology, sampling strategy, characteristics of study participants, and the WISE partners are available in the annex. The following are the major findings of the study:

2.1 - Overall skills development and reduction in employment barriers

The study found that workforce integration programs facilitated the development of job search and on-the job skills for both groups, diminishing barriers that prevent the workforce integration of participants. When asked to describe the tangible skills they had gained during the program, a majority of interview participants (22 out of 32) cited resume and interview preparations as helpful.

Both groups demonstrated progress in skills development and reported fewer employment barriers related to lack of training, knowledge, and experience by the final survey. Additionally, both groups reported professional and mental health benefits from the social nature of workforce integration programs. Barriers related to lack of social contacts markedly decreased among both groups between the baseline and 3-year survey, demonstrating this benefit.

2.2 - Employment disparity between SE and non-SE participants

Forty-five percent of the WISE cohort was employed 6 months after participating in the program and, by the end of year 1, the total employment numbers increased to 58%, demonstrating initial positive impacts of WISE training and placements. However, this gain was lost partly due to the pandemic. Eight out of 15 SE participants who were interviewed said that they lost their jobs and/or switched jobs during the pandemic. This was largely due to a decrease in part-time employment between year 1 and year 2. By year 3, the percentage of non-SE participants who were employed (56%) was noticeably higher than SE participants (45%).

SE participants reported an increased financial well-being (2.25 at baseline vs. 2.43 at year-3)^{Footnote 1} despite a significant decrease compared to the year-2 post COVID-19 results (2.67). Receiving emergency government benefits, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program, might explain this increase at year-2 and the end of these benefits may have led to the decline in year-3. In comparison, the financial well-being of non-SE participants generally continued to increase indicating the more persistent employment exclusion and greater precarity of SE participants. It was unsurprising that the COVID-19 pandemic measures impacted the SE group that relied on precarious part-time employment.

2.3 - Improvements in measures of precarity recorded at baseline

At baseline, compared to non-SE members, a higher proportion of SE participants had less schooling, accessed foodbanks at least occasionally, experienced barriers to employment due to mental health and experienced fear of losing government financial assistance.

Although both groups experienced positive changes in areas of vulnerability, SE participants reported a greater reduction in measures of vulnerability such as foodbank use and housing precarity. For example, the percentage of SE participants who reported occasional foodbank use fell from half at baseline to just over a quarter in the 3-year survey. Indicators of housing security also improved as the proportion of SE participants who said that they are couch-surfing, staying in a shelter or elsewhere (not with family) rent-free was more than 4 times lower in the 3-year survey than the baseline of 16.7%.

2.4 - Employment barriers related to health and declines in areas of well-being

The study revealed the positive impacts of WISE programs in terms of addressing mental health barriers related to employment. In the interviews, some participants noted that learning critical job search and professional skills resulted in reduced anxiety related to their professional and personal lives. For example, 2 participants from the SE group said that learning job interview skills reduced their anxiety towards the process of job searching. This was corroborated by data from the quantitative survey showing that, between the baseline and 3-year survey, the SE group reported an 18% decrease of anxiety in interviews compared to a 14% decrease among non-SE members. In addition, interview participants from both the SE and non-SE groups reported the professional and mental health benefit of socializing and networking with people in similar situations.

On the other hand, the quantitative data showed small increases in the proportion of participants who experienced barriers to employment related to health and wellbeing. For example, both SE and non-SE participants reported a slight increase (by around 1 to 2 percentage points) in employment barriers due to mental health issues between the baseline and year 3. These barriers were likely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the proportion of SE participants who expressed fear of losing social assistance as a barrier was 4 times greater than the non-SE cohort, despite falling by a third over the course of the study.

Both groups also reported overall declines in different areas of well-being, such as personal well-being, family and community relations, and their access to services over time. In terms of improving access to WISEs and employment services, both groups suggested during the interviews that organizations do more follow-up after the program, do more outreach, invite more external speakers, teach about entrepreneurship, and offer return to school as an option.

3. BC Work Integration Social Enterprises project

The BC Centre for Employment Excellence (BC CfEE), a division of the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), conducted this study to assess the longitudinal impacts of WISEs operating in British Columbia. Factors of vulnerability (for example, rurality, indigeneity) prevalent in the geographic areas of study (Abbotsford and Hazelton) were the focus of the study.

Details about the methodology, sampling strategy, characteristics of study participants, and the WISE partners are available in the annex. The following are the major findings of the study:

3.1 - Resilience and adaptability

Overall, most respondents credited their WISE experience as having a role in their resiliency and adaptability in dealing with challenges, and a number of respondents reported that the WISE organization helped them develop other important life and social skills, which contributed to their quality of life. The findings indicate that WISEs are an effective means of supporting the labour market and social integration of those who face barriers to employment while also providing goods or services to the market.

The majority of participants (61.4%) reported being unemployed at the start of the study. Among this group of unemployed participants, a quarter had been unemployed for more than 1 year and more than a fifth had never been employed prior to the study. At the start of the study, most participants reported barriers to employment, such as a lack of education/work experience (44.4%), up-to-date technical skills (20%), Canadian experience or foreign credential recognition (8.9%), and unaccommodating work environments (13.3%).

At the 1-year survey, the proportion of participants employed full-time nearly doubled from the baseline of 20.5%, although this returned to baseline levels in the 2-year and 3-year surveys. This was partially due to a shift towards part-time employment (1-year 16.7%, 2-year 47.6%, 3-year 31.8%), possibly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

When asked in the final survey what impact COVID-19 had on their current employment, over half of participants reported no change. However, nearly a tenth of participants had their hours reduced, lost their job or remained unemployed. Nearly a fifth of respondents reported that they had lost their job and since been rehired. Employment gains from the initial WISE interventions persisted until the final survey, as most participants remained employed.

During the 3-year survey when asked if their WISE experience had an impact on their employment, almost half of participants reported having gained work experience or training. Nearly a fifth of participants indicated that they had been unemployed and that their WISE experience helped them find a job.

Between the 2-year and 3-year survey, the number of participants who reported impacts to their social or community support systems due to COVID-19 decreased from half of participants to 13.6%.

The findings suggested that the hard and soft skills that were gained from the WISE program impacted the resilience and adaptability of participants in regard to the challenges they faced in the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, most participants had begun to bounce back in terms of employment and other areas except for about one-fifth of participants who continued to struggle with uncertainty and long-term career planning beyond the pandemic. At the 3-year follow-up, three quarters of those who participated agreed or strongly agreed that their WISE experience helped them recover quickly after hard times. In addition, nearly seven tenths of participants also strongly agreed or agreed that the WISE program helped them adapt to change.

3.2 - Persistent insecurity among some participants

Despite these positive indicators, researchers identified negative outcomes for a subsection of participants in areas such as their housing situations, financial position, stress levels, and long-term employment prospects. These patterns suggested that it is important to pay attention to this subgroup that could benefit from additional wrap-around supports after their participation at the WISE.

At the baseline, a third of participants reported living in precarious housing (15.6% couch surfing, 4.4% in transitional housing). Precarious housing considerations were a concern as about half of participants indicated they were sometimes worried about their housing situation and a tenth indicated they were always worried about their housing situation. Despite reduced levels of concern regarding their housing situation in the 3-year follow-up survey, signs of precarity persisted among a subsection of participants, as indicated by fear of eviction, concern for the rising cost of housing and being unable to find a better place to live.

By the 3-year survey, nearly a third of participants reported that they were comfortable or optimistic about the future of their financial situation and over a fifth of participants reported that they would like to generate more income but were managing. However, nearly a fifth of respondents continued to report that their financial situation was affecting their well-being. Nearly a tenth of participants struggled a bit to pay their bills and half as many participants found it hard to pay (4.5%) or could not pay their bills (4.5%). A fifth of participants also indicated that they could pay their bills but have nothing left by their next paycheck.

This is notable considering how many respondents relied on government assistance as part of their income at the 3-year follow up. When asked to describe their sources of income, more than half of participants reported receiving government assistance.^{Footnote 2} Just over half of participants reported receiving wages from the WISE or other employment.

3.3 - Challenges noted through the research process

Facilitating post-intervention employment is challenging in Hazelton due to the limited employment opportunities in the small community.

In Abbotsford, WISEs are struggling with increasing labour costs caused by labour shortages in the competitive market.

It was also noticed that every WISE partner had some degree of senior staff turnover during the study.

Commitment from Indigenous-led organizations was uncertain during the period of the study. This was due, in part, to leadership and priority changes in those organizations.

Maintaining connections with small WISEs whose leaders may have limited time and capacity to support research was also a challenge.

Another factor that was noted during the final interviews is the importance of business planning and staying informed of local market conditions, competition and innovations in order for WISEs to maintain market share and competitive advantage. Several WISE partners described how they struggle to secure funding for capital or technological investments needed to keep up with increasing automation and market innovation. The prospective Social Finance Fund was discussed as a potential avenue for financing such investments, but it was unclear whether partners would be in the position to pursue this option.

Recommendation: Develop a process from the outset where participants feel invested in contributing to the outcomes of the study. Since participants became harder to reach after WISE intervention, a solution might be to make participants understand before starting the intervention that their participation is independent of their role in the WISE. The study also highlighted the challenges of regularly engaging participants through WISE staff or the research team. Researchers recommended communicating more frequently with participants and including additional incentives to increase motivation. Another solution could be engaging participants through other support services or networks of people with shared experiences (for example, self advocacy groups).

Learning Community members participated in discussions to share WISE insights and models. In 2021, the mandate was expanded to transition the Learning Community into the BC Social Enterprise Network, a provincial network of WISE organizations in BC that would persist after the study.

During the final interview, WISE partners identified the benefit of the quarterly discussions, the Learning Community, and the ESDC-hosted national WISE workshops. This highlighted the advantages of sharing ideas with other partners, learning of other WISE approaches and challenges, and brainstorming solutions to the difficulties they faced. Partners communicated interest in remaining connected through the BC Social Enterprise Network and recognized the important opportunity this represented to learning how to grow and adapt with changing market realities.

4. Field trials and evaluation of WISE programming in North Simcoe

Research was collected by the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) in partnership with the Karma Project. The study assessed the long-term effect of WISE interventions on the labour market outcomes and social inclusion of at-risk youth in North Simcoe County.

The Karma Project, a small rural social enterprise with a local community focus, operates under an approach that links food security, education, and employment training, while employing unique WISE interventions that center on food as a tool to engage and support local at-risk youth that are unemployed or at risk of dropping out of high school. Developed by the Karma Project, the Social Enterprise Education (SEED) program involves innovative food-based social entrepreneurship programming that teaches youth about the food cycle and food skills through workshops.

Additional details about the methodology, sampling strategy, characteristics of study participants, and the WISE partners are available in the annex of this synthesis.

The researchers created a Social Return on Investment (SROI) tool as a complimentary analytical device to estimate the economic value of the outputs of the SEED program during the final year of the project (April 2021 to March 2022). The SROI tool used financial proxies to measure the economic values of social and non-economic activities and outcomes. The team generated proxies to estimate the incremental costs of work integration supports (recruitment, training, employment supports, mentoring, etc.) and the financial value of non-remunerated work.^{Footnote 3} The tool determined that the SEED program has a return on investment of $1.89 for every $1 of funding.

4.1 - Positive labour market outcomes despite demand for superior job positions

During the 2-year survey, over a third of participants reported being employed, with the majority of those reporting full-time employment. Compared to the first-year survey, this represented a shift away from part-time employment (71.4% vs. 38%) towards full-time employment (28.6% vs. 63%) among the section of participants who were employed.

The most reported impact of WISE interventions on employment was gaining work experience or training (77.3%), followed by gaining certificates (68.2%), and the support of staff or colleagues at [WISE] through any other challenging situation (63.6%).

Participants live in communities with few employment opportunities; half of the participants reported limited job opportunities in the community or local area as a barrier to their employment. Two fifths of respondents reported a lack of education or previous experience for the jobs they wanted and nearly a third reported not having relevant experience as barriers to their employment. The SEED program accounts for these local circumstances. Participants in the focus group shared how the SEED program provided them with experience that is relevant to local industries (agri-food industry and tourism) that are major sources of employment in the Simcoe Muskoka regions.

During the 2-year follow-up, every participant reported they were looking for long-term or better work, indicating to the researchers that they were not in the job they envisioned for their long-term career. However, when asked about their career plans, half of the respondents agreed they had a plan for their career and nearly a third agreed they had a strategy to achieve their career goals. Nearly four fifths of respondents had moderate to much confidence in their ability to find information about careers and to choose a career that fits their abilities, although no participants reported complete confidence.

4.2 - The SEED program and food security and social inclusion

During the interviews, Karma Project stakeholders described how engaging in the SEED program helps alleviate food security issues by improving participants' knowledge about food preparation, healthy foods, and awareness of local food situations. Using the UN Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), the research team determined that a substantial proportion of participants continued to experience food security concerns at the 2-year survey. Although the number of respondents facing issues related to food insecurity markedly decreased between intake and the 2-year survey (38.7% vs. 28.4%), a portion of participants continued to experience signs of food insecurity (for example, going without eating for a whole day, skipping a meal and eating less or unable to eat healthy and nutritious foods) due to a lack of money or resources to buy food.

The focus group participants identified that the SEED program helped them strengthen connections with the community, expand their social network and build their confidence. Half of the survey respondents reported that their network of friends and people they know had increased as well as having more relationships that provide them with support due to their experiences with the SEED program.

Community impacts: During the interviews, stakeholders described how participants play a vital role in disseminating the Karma Project's objectives within their own local communities due to the difficulty of sharing information across smaller isolated communities, especially given the large geographic area served by the Karma Project. This promotes the creation of strong community relationships and networks between participants and their local area.

Karma Project stakeholders also highlighted the community economic benefits of the SEED program beyond the participating youth. For example, Karma Project enterprises (the Affordable Market, RX Food program, and Good Food Box) purchase their food from local producers, suppliers, and retailers when possible. The Karma Project also creates connections between local business through collective goals and community events.

4.3 - Improvement in well-being despite persistent mental health struggles

All participants indicated some level of daily stress in the 2-year survey; six tenths of participants reported being a bit stressed, more than two tenths reported being quite stressed and over a tenth reported being extremely stressed. In addition, half of participants indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected their physical or mental health. To address this issue, the SEED program offers wellness-oriented workshops, such as yoga and meditation sessions.

There were positive improvements related to well-being and mental health. Over four fifths of participants reported that they were better able to deal with challenging situations due to their WISE experience at the 2-year follow-up. Over half of participants reported improvements in their life satisfaction and physical and/or mental health. A third of respondents also indicated that their self-esteem had increased.

4.4 - Additional considerations

The COVID-19 pandemic required a significant decrease of the Karma Project's capacity in order to follow health guidelines. The SEED program continued to support youth both online and in person (at a reduced capacity). In other areas, the Karma Project shifted and expanded their activities to meet increasing local food needs due to the pandemic. As part of this, the Karma Project received a $40,000 grant from Community Food Centres Canada through the Good Food Access Fund to support emergency food programming. Thus, despite the challenges created by the pandemic, the Karma Project and SEED program demonstrated the ability to adapt to the needs of participants and food needs of the community.

The research team noted that rural social enterprises like the Karma Project face barriers in hiring workers and serving clients due to higher costs per capita than urban social enterprises.

The SEED program relies on a small number of staff and volunteers. However, funding from the Government of Ontario's Skills Development Fund has enabled the Karma Project to hire SEED program graduates to provide mentorship as well as lead activities in the gardens, kitchens, and markets. Stakeholders disclosed that an increase in revenue (for example, through funding) would enable the Karma Project to offer a living wage to workers (who are currently volunteers or paid through honoraria).

Stakeholders shared how organizational reliance on funding can limit the organization's ability to plan for project sustainability and future opportunities or projects. The researchers highlighted the need for funders to recognize the value of context-specific goals and structures of rural social enterprises. They noted the potential benefits presented by the SROI tool in expressing this value.

5. WISE impact: an outcome study focused on WISE in the mental health sector

This study focused on the social, economic, and health impacts of WISE programs within the mental health sector in Ontario. The researchers compared the change in socio-economic indicators for participants who remained employed long-term (4+ years), and short-term (3 years or less) within the WISE organization and those who left the program for employment elsewhere in order to determine features of WISEs that improve the social and employment outcomes of participants. Participants were recruited from partner WISEs that focus on persons who face barriers such as addiction, disability, and who experience(d) mental illness, or mental health challenges.

Details about the methodology, sampling strategy, characteristics of study participants, and the WISE partners are available in the annex. The following are the major findings of the study.

5.1 - Positive impacts of WISE support for employees with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI)

The majority of participants reported more than one mental health concern. Nearly a tenth of participants who moved to community employment were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (for example, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), more than 4 times less than those participants who remained employed at a WISE or who were unemployed. However, nearly three quarters of the community-employed respondents experienced anxiety and depression compared to two fifths of WISE participants and half of the unemployed cohort.

At the third follow-up, almost half of the participants who took part in the interview were employed by a partner WISE; in comparison, just over a tenth were working in community jobs. WISE workers tended to work fewer hours than those working in community employment (average of 15 vs. 35 hours/week). Desire for a higher income was a common factor in leaving for community jobs. It was noted that there are often few opportunities for advancement at WISEs, although stakeholders provided a few examples of workers who were promoted to supervisory or administrative roles.

Of the 26 participants (a third of respondents) who were unemployed at the third follow-up, 10 individuals reported that factors related to COVID-19 had impacted their employment. Another third of those who were unemployed (n=9) at the third follow-up were not working because serious mental illness (SMI) or addiction affected their ability to maintain steady employment. This group shared that they valued WISE programs that allowed them to take time off and rejoin when they were healthier.

Based on the interview findings, some saw WISEs as a source of ongoing, supportive employment while others viewed WISEs as a place to re-group, build confidence and position themselves to return to the competitive labour market. Compared to community employment, some participants viewed WISEs as a unique, favourable experience with several reasons to stay involved, including the benefit of support networks made up of leadership staff and colleagues, the flexibility of hours and performance measures, and other supports (for example, basic needs, cash advances, and connections to healthcare). Another benefit is the possibility of being rehired after a period of illness or failed community employment. Interviewees noted the positive work culture at WISEs, where people are treated more fairly and are valued for their contributions (rather than judged for their shortcomings). In WISEs' stigma-free environment, members are less nervous about discussing and disclosing mental illness and disabilities due to the culture of openness and acceptance. Long-term WISE employees described the stable and accepting environment of WISEs during the interviews.

The researchers determined one of the benefits of sustained WISE employment is a higher monthly income relative to those who were unemployed by the end of the study. At the baseline, WISE participants received an income slightly above the poverty line in Ontario in 2017 ($17,758), earning on average $855/month through WISE employment for a total of $1,673/month from all sources. At the third follow-up, participants earned an average of $997/month from WISE employment for a monthly income of $1,774 (annualized income of $21,288). Those in community employment reported earnings of $2,210/month (annual income of $26,250), and both groups fell below the 2021 poverty line in Ontario ($26,426). Unemployed participants had a much lower average income ($1,332.46), demonstrating how other income sources could not compensate for the loss of employment.

5.2 - Stability in areas of well-being and health despite minimal change among WISE participants

Another significant benefit of sustained WISE employment, according to the researchers, was stability in multiple measures of wellness.

For example, by the third follow-up, average values for physical functioning and emotional well-being for WISE participants remained stable and were significantly higher than for those who were unemployed or in community employment.

Secondly, participants who remained in WISE employment at T1 (4.87)^{Footnote 4} had the highest average satisfaction with life at the beginning of the study. These WISE employees continued to have the greatest satisfaction with life by the end of the study, although the difference between the WISE (4.75), unemployed (4.25) and community employed (3.95) cohorts was less significant at T3 compared to T1.

Thirdly, using the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)^{Footnote 5} to measure risk of substance use, the researchers found that WISE employees had the lowest scores across all measures (except tobacco) at the baseline and third follow-up. Those who ended the study unemployed had the highest substance use risk score at the beginning of the study. Participants employed within the community tended to increase their risk score throughout the study for every measure of substances except tobacco, which, by the end of the study, led to the highest risk scores for every substance besides tobacco. However, the majority of group averages fell within the low-risk range, except those employed within the community at the third follow-up who, on average, had moderate risk scores^{Footnote 6} for cannabis (7.18), cocaine (5.09), and sedatives (4.09).

5.3 - Impact of government support clawbacks on the behaviour of participants

Many participants relied on government income supports for a significant proportion of their income. Half used the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), nearly a fifth used Ontario Works and nearly a tenth used the Canadian Pension Program - Disability supplement (CPP-D).

During the interviews, both workers and supervisors highlighted that the requirements and restrictions of ODSP interfered with WISE employment. Both described how the ODSP clawback of 50% of earned income past $200 per month^{Footnote 7} from ODSP payments shaped worker choices about the amount they work and left some in precarious financial situations. While some chose to work (due to the mental health benefits, experience, etc.), others ensured that they worked hours that would not exceed the $200 maximum or chose to contribute in a voluntary capacity. This planning is an important component of scheduling and created stress for workers as extra income earned 1 month would be deducted from a future month's ODSP payment (the timing of which was not always predictable). Similarly, income unpredictably affected the rent for those living in subsidized housing.

It was also noted that ODSP is based on assumptions that disability is chronic and permanent, which does not align with episodic disabilities such as those associated with mental health conditions. Many workers avoided increasing the hours they worked in fear that they could be flagged for review and be deemed ineligible for ODSP. Participants were specifically worried about losing the long-term stability of benefits if they returned to similarly precarious situations.

5.4 - Additional considerations and recommendations

Researchers noted a possible limitation was that outcome data could be skewed in favour of those who remain in WISE employment since it is easier to follow-up with this cohort with help from the organization. This highlights a problem with how WISE results are measured, since those who leave can be hard to trace, resulting in an undocumented group of vulnerable participants who left WISEs and continue to face persistent barriers.

In all but 3 cases a different administrator completed the closing interview. This was due to a change in leadership except for in one outlying case. This highlights the organizational transitions that can occur within WISEs and partners' resilience when faced with organizational change.

The benefits of WISE interventions could be improved by revising disability support programs to account for episodic conditions and by providing more financial support to WISEs so they can scale up their operations and offer employees higher wages, more advancement opportunities, and more intensive supports.

WISEs reported that a solution to the challenge of hiring workers who are disadvantaged in their work capacity is to provide a limited number of hours and shifts to ensure productive workers are present to maintain service or product quality.

6. Research project on the effectiveness of Work Integration Social Enterprises (CRISES)^{Footnote 8}

Led by the Centre de recherche sur les innovations sociales (CRISES), this study evaluated the longitudinal socio-economic impacts of Quebec WISE programs within the Collectif des entreprises d'insertion du Québec (CEIQ). It has the goal of measuring the financial situation, well-being, and social and professional abilities of participants who completed a 6-month CEIQ program. In addition, the study aimed to assess the unique interventions and models used by Quebec WISEs.

Details about the WISE partners, methodology and sampling strategy can be found in the annex of this synthesis.

The researchers found that the sample of participants had higher proportions of youth, immigrants, and those who had started but not completed secondary education compared to the Quebec population.Footnote 9 Before starting the study, 41% of participants had begun but not completed secondary education compared to only 17% of the Quebec population. Participants were also generally young, as 3% of subjects were under 18 years old and 73% were between the ages of 18 and 35 before beginning the study. Nearly one third of participants (n=30) had immigrated to Canada between 1990 and 2019. The researchers observed a generally diverse population of WISE participants; however, they suggested that the model could be more inclusive by involving more participants between the ages of 16 and 18 and if it were to accept people under the age of 16 who had dropped out of school.

When asked why they chose to take part in the program, nearly half of participants cited help with (re)finding employment, nearly a third discussed developing new skills, and a fifth answered to make more money.

All participants had to be unemployed in order to be eligible for the WISE program. By T1, only 3 tenths of participants were unemployed, which decreased to about two tenths of participants by T6.^{Footnote 10} At T1, just over half of participants had found employment and, by T6, most participants were employed (65%) or employed and in school (5%). At T6, a fifth of employed participants were working part-time and four fifths were working full-time. Across the study, more than half of participants were working in a different sector than the area related to their WISE program. On average, most employed participants made more than minimum wage, a third of respondents made more than $20 per hour and nearly half made between $15 and $20 per hour.^{Footnote 11} Between T3 and T6, more than half of participants reported that their work environment was good and nearly three tenths reported it as very good.

Participants were asked about their level of appreciation of the integration pathway starting a year and a half (T3) after completing the training program. On average from T3 to T6, the majority of participants were satisfied (39%) or very satisfied (27%) with their integration, although a tenth of participants reported being unsatisfied (8%) or very unsatisfied (2%).

6.1 - Overall improvements related to financial situation, well-being, and professional and social abilities

As part of the study, data on 3 dimensions of quality of life were measured on a scale of 0 (minimum) to 4 (maximum).^{Footnote 12} After completing the WISE program, there were noticeable improvements in participants' financial situation and professional or social skills. While less significant, the researchers also recorded initial improvements in levels of well-being, although this fell at T4 and persisted.

Figure 1 - Text version

Time	Financial situation	Well-being	Professional and social abilities
T0 (n=110)	2.06	2.88	2.51
T1 (n=62)	2.52	3.13	3.04
T2 (n=60)	2.63	3.04	3.03
T3 (n=71)	2.6	3.16	3.05
T4 (n=41)	2.61	3	3.07
T5 (n=52)	2.8	3.03	3.03
T6 (n=38)	2.68	3.02	3.1

This is supported by the finding that, by T6, a majority of participants reported that their financial and personal situation had improved a bit or significantly. However, nearly a fifth of participants also reported that their financial situation had deteriorated or deteriorated a little.

In addition, most respondents reported that their job skills had strongly improved or improved a bit during the program. Since these positive results persisted, the research team noted the perceived retention of job skills. At T3, nearly half of participants reported using professional knowledge acquired during the WISE program compared with nearly a third of respondents at T6. Between a fifth (T3) and a third (T6) of participants reported using soft skills.

Over the course of the study, nearly 3 quarters of respondents indicated, on average, that their relationships had stayed the same. However, only a small section of less than a tenth of respondents indicated that their relationships had deteriorated or deteriorated significantly.

The study also showed a slight increase in housing autonomy (7% increase in people living in solo or co-tenancy housing, 6% increase in people renting alone). Three respondents also noted that they became homeowners because of the WISE program.

Based on the findings, the researchers observed improvements among a majority of participants related to their well-being, financial situation, and professional or social skills. This indicated to the team that the WISE program was positive and beneficial for most participants. However, the researchers noted that the situations experienced by participants vary and that some endured difficult situations after completing the program.

6.2 - Pathways to socio-economic integration

The observation of a variety of experiences (positive, mixed, negative) revealed the presence of distinct profiles among participants. This led the research team to conduct a latent profile analysis using Mplus software to separate participants into similar profiles.^{Footnote 13} The analysis found that a model with 3 profiles was most suitable. The following table provides descriptions for each profile:

Table 1: Description of profiles among participants

Profile #	Definition	Characteristics
Profile 1 (unconsolidated integration)	Members of profile 1 might have integrated into the labour market; however, limited access to components of the WISE program necessitates additional individual effort and time to enter a stable place in the labour market For profile 1, the work integration program was positive overall, but not necessarily sufficient	Lower Quality of Life (QoL) scoresFootnote 14 than the study average At T4, nearly half of profile 1 was employed (majority part-time) At T3, nearly half (46%) were in school Profile 1 reported forms of vulnerability more frequently than profile 2, such as being single, having poorer perceived physical and mental health, and being unemployed more than several weeks prior to starting the WISE program
Profile 2 (consolidated integration)	The achievements of the program allowed members of profile 2 to take advantage of components of the work integration program that support entering the job market, enabling complete integration into the workforce	Higher than average QoL scores in 3 measures (financial situation, well-being, and professional/social skills) At T4, 65% of profile 2 members were employed (all full-time) Members of profile 2 had pre-existing self-confidence in the quality of their professional skills Profile 2 members were more likely to be born outside Canada and have good physical and mental health. They were also less likely to have been unemployed several weeks prior to starting the WISE program
Profile 3	Participants who left the integration process before the program was completed for various reasons	N.A.

Based on the profiles' characteristics, the research team concluded that quality of health and distance from the labour market can play a role in the success of integration.

The researchers suggest considering the profile characteristics to provide different integration pathways based on individual needs (for example, addressing social, cultural, technical, and professional skill gaps). Individualized training and program timelines might mean staying longer in the program for some (while providing bridging to other community supports) and faster integration for others (while creating a safety net to track the success of integration). The existence of these profiles indicated to the researchers that not all people have the characteristics required to integrate successfully into the labour force based on the supports offered by WISEs. Since sections of the target population require additional support that WISEs may not offer, it is important that WISEs adapt to provide a variety of employability and skills development training to adequately support trainees who face greater difficulties in their labour integration.

A consolidation process might occur over time since a significant proportion of profile 1 members joined the consolidated profile at a subsequent period. While this process is generally indicative of the positive effects of WISE interventions, a fifth of profile 2 members (consolidated integration) remained in vulnerable situations at T6. The researchers concluded that this group might require additional support to complete the consolidation of their integration trajectory.

6.3 - Additional Considerations and Recommendations

The researchers' recommendations tend to fall into 2 categories: incremental changes to existing models and radical innovations exploring new approaches.

When assessing the changing socio-economic situation in Quebec (Appendix 3 of the CRISES report) and how WISEs have adapted to changes in the labour market (Appendix 2 of the CRISES report), the researchers noted that the Quebec economy has recently had relatively strong growth and that there is a labour shortage in Quebec. Despite the demand for labour, the team noted that employer requirements (for example, social or professional skills) are increasing for all types of jobs. In order to adapt, it was suggested that the WISEs adjust the programs they offer to account for the emerging needs of employers.

The research team found that job polarization is accelerating along with an increase in demand for high skill jobs. However, after exiting the program, WISE clients tend to end up in mainly low-skilled jobs or medium-skilled jobs, in terms of required social and professional skills. The researchers suggested that WISE pathways should be adjusted to teach relevant social and professional skills. While this might not address the strong skills necessary for high skill jobs, this enables the opportunity to return to training/education upon successful integration to achieve high level competencies.

The research team also discussed the need for regular Research and Development (R&D)^{Footnote 15} projects in the future to support non-linear WISE innovation. They highlighted the role that federal and provincial governments can have in supporting this research.

The research team made suggestions related to the 3 stages of WISE intervention. Starting with recruitment, the team suggested that WISEs adjust their recruitment tools to account for the 3 latent profiles that were identified during the study, enabling targeted recruitment. The team noted that the profile of WISE recruits has changed across Quebec due to an increase of recruits ‘without a cheque' who are excluded from social programs (no employment income and no income from employment insurance or employment assistance programs). For the researchers, this emphasizes the need to review recruitment approaches and strategies. They suggested including a more targeted approach based on referrals through networks of local WISEs, institutions, community organizations, and private companies. Agreements would be made with the organizations to incentivize referring recruits. The team also envisaged that this network could facilitate a recruitment pooling system.

A WISE network could also involve the creation of common tools between organizations, and the sharing of best practices, tools, recruitment strategies, and resources.

In regard to training, the team proposed that facilitating the integration of all 3 profiles would help improve retention. First, they suggested personalizing integration pathways through flexible training plans that emphasize different skills (for example, social, cultural, technical, or professional). Secondly, they proposed the option of flexible courses with personalized timelines (for example, less intensive at the beginning, instituting a probationary period to assess the suitability of supports) as well as creating opportunities within programs for short internships and to pursue simultaneous training/education.

Finally, the team recommended that the follow-up process should include participants who completed the integration process early. The first type of follow-up would address participants who left due to difficulties with the program and could aim to reintegrate this group when they are ready. For those who found the program unrewarding, alternative options could be provided.

The researchers noted that WISEs cannot operate solely on the sales of goods and services. In order to ensure that the social mission of WISEs is not overshadowed by the economic objectives, the team suggested expanding public, private and social sources of WISE funding.

The research team also called for the mobilization of provincial government departments (for example, Ministère de l'Éducation and the Ministère de l'Économie et innovation) to join the existing follow-up committee managed by Service-Québec which monitors WISEs.

The researchers identified gaps within the study, such as not measuring the integration of participants and not observing how participants were recruited. For future research, the team highlighted the possibilities of measuring why people choose certain pathways during recruitment as well as discovering why participants chose to stay or leave the program.

Conclusion

Regarding the first research question, the reports demonstrate that WISEs are usually effective at promoting the social and labour market integration of vulnerable individuals. Most of the studies' recorded improvements were related to financial and employment indicators as well as signs of employment resiliency. Participants also disclosed the social benefits of WISE intervention, such as expansion of social networks and strengthening community relations (highlighted in the SRDC's North Simcoe report).

However, several reports, like the CLSEW and the BC CfEE reports, uncovered signs of persistent precarity among some participants. The CRISES report also identified a section of participants who were unable to integrate completely based on the supports that WISEs offer. The CRISES research team suggested WISEs institute additional measures and supports for these individuals.

The findings presented mixed results concerning the second research question on which WISE models and types of training work best. While most observed models (for example, transitional and permanent employment models) had positive results, the suitability of these models depends on individual circumstances. Participants valued a variety of different aspects of WISE interventions. For example, the "Outcome Study Focused on WISE in the Mental Health Sector" showed how different participants preferred on-going and transitional WISE employment models, and the CRISES report highlighted that some might benefit from programs that are shorter than 6 months.

WISE models that target specific populations (such as homelessness, youth, and individuals experiencing serious and persistent mental illness) proved to be effective at addressing unique vulnerabilities and barriers (for example, lack of experience due to age and employment precarity due to persistent mental illness). Community capacity building was also highlighted in both the BC CfEE and SRDC North Simcoe reports as WISE programs that were able to provide specialized interventions that fit community needs (for example, the SEED program, using food as a tool) can extend the potential social benefits of the program. However, adaptability also seems to be a key characteristic of the WISE models that works the best. Individuals require a range of supports that fit their evolving needs and personal employment goals. Ultimately, the most effective model appears to be a WISE that offers specialized supports that suit community needs, with the flexibility to offer individual support when necessary.

In regard to the third research question, the studies uncovered mixed results concerning how the success of interventions varies based on different circumstances and recipients. For example, the CRISES report identified a few common demographics among those whose WISE integration was successful, such as being a new Canadian^{Footnote 16}.

In addition, the CRISES report disclosed some negative factors for success, for example, being single, having poor perceived physical and mental health, and long-term unemployment (more than several weeks). The "Outcome Study Focused on WISE in the Mental Health Sector" also noted that all 9 Indigenous participants in the study were either unemployed or unreachable by T3. While this is likely reflective of labour market barriers experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada, it might indicate that current WISE programs may not meet the needs of Indigenous participants experiencing mental health barriers.

Answering the final research question related to return on investment, the SROI included in the SRDC North Simcoe report supports the idea that funding WISE programs can have a positive return on investment. In the case study of the SRDC's North Simcoe report, the SEED program had a return on investment of $1.89 for every $1 of funding. The CRISES report did not measure return on investment (ROI) in their objectives since existing studies (reviewed in Annex 1 of the CRISES report) conducted by Emploi-Québec (now Service-Québec) and for the CEIQ already show the efficiency both WISEs. These studies revealed that it is beneficial for government bodies to invest public funds to support WISEs both in the short term (CEIQ studies) and medium to long term (government studies).

While most of the reports planned to measure the return on investment (ROI) of publicly funding WISEs, many of the reports were unable to measure ROI due to various reasons. For example, the CCEDNet team was unable to use the study's data to create an estimate on the ROI of WISE funding because the comparison group could not act as a counterfactual sample of what would happen if WISE participants had not entered the program due to limitations in how the comparison group was recruited. As part of the CLSEW study, Dr. Laurie Mook produced a social accounting framework which partner organizations could use to assess how the economic and social returns of WISE programs compare to the investment. However, results related to the return on investment were not included in the final report, although the report's next steps include sharing results with partner organizations and preparing a final social accounting report for partners by fall 2022.

Bibliography

BC Centre for Employment Excellence (BC CfEE). (July 2022). BC Work Integrated Social Enterprises Project - Final Report: https://www.srdc.org/publications/BC-Work-Integrated-Social-Enterprises-Project-Final-Report-details.aspx

Canadian CED Network (CCEDNet). (July 2022). Alleviating homelessness: Quasi-experimental study - Final Report: https://ccednet-rcdec.ca/resource/work-integration-social-enterprises/

Celeste L., de Raaf S., and Poitevin-Desrivières C., (July 2022). Field trials and evaluations of WISE programming in North Simcoe County - Final report. Social Research and Demonstration Corporation: https://www.srdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/WISE-North-Simcoe-Final-Report.pdf

Government of Ontario. (February 2023). Working and earning on the Ontario Disability Support Program. Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: https://www.ontario.ca/page/working-and-earning-ontario-disability-support-program

Lysaght R., Fecica A., Brock K., Krupa T., Packalen K., Ross L., and Roy M., (July 2022). WISE Impact: An Outcome Study Focused on WISE in the Mental Health Sector - Final Research Report. Queens University: https://rehab.queensu.ca/wise/reports

Rochman J., Croteau L., Fontan J-M., Alberio M., Bouchard M., Coulombe S., Dumais L., Léonard M., Michaud V., and Tremblay D-G., (July 2022). Projet de recherche sur l'efficacité des entreprises d'insertion. Mesure longitudinale de l'impact socioéconomique de l'intervention d'entreprises d'insertion québécoises sur une population de bénéficiaires sur une période de trois années (no. ET2208). Centre de recherche sur les innovations sociales (CRISES): https://crises.uqam.ca/cahiers/et2208-projet-de-recherche-sur-lefficacite-des-entreprises-dinsertion-mesure-longitudinale-de-limpact-socioeconomique-de-lintervention-dentreprises-d/

Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC). (March 2021). Field Trials and Evaluations of Wise Programs in North Simcoe County - Interim Report.

Tarhan, D., Vieta, M., and Hodgson-Bautista, J. (July 2022). Final Research Report: The WISE Project for Training At-Risk Youth. Centre for Learning, Social Economy & Work (CLSEW), Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto: https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/clsew/research/projects/wise

Annex

Table 2: Project 1: Alleviating homelessness: quasi-experimental study

Research team	Area of focus	Study objective	Study participants	Partner WISE organizations	Methodology
The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) in partnership with Allan Day and the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC).	WISEs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who train or employ individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.	A longitudinal assessment of the outcomes of WISE supports for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.	Quasi-experimental design: Compares the outcomes of one group who received a WISE intervention and another that did not. WISE Group: 130 participants (final survey retention of 49 members) Comparison Group: 144 participants (final survey retention of 53 members) The comparison group were clients of community organizations in the GTA that serve persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and operate one or more social enterprises, offering support or pre-employment programming to individuals.	GTA WISE partners: Building Up, Hawthorne Food & Drink, Gateway Linens & Disposal Services, Serving and Housing in the Province (SHIP), and LOFT Kitchen. Community Organization Partners: Working for Change, Parkdale Activity - Recreation Centre (PARC), Peel Youth Village as well as Services and Housing in the Province (SHIP). Partners provided transitional training and employment. Building Up provided middle skills training. The other organizations conducted low skills training.	The study consisted of an initial survey of WISE clients and the comparison group, accompanied by 3 annual follow-ups and a final interview with WISE participants. The research was partnership-based, involving both researchers from SRDC and a team of community researchers with lived experiences. The Community Researcher team helped conduct interviews as well as facilitated survey completion and retention by developing relationships with study participants and offering guidance to SRDC researchers.

Table 3: Project 2: The WISE project for training at-risk youth

Research team	Area of focus	Study objective	Study participants	Partner WISE organizations	Methodology
Team of researchers from the Centre for Learning, Social Economy & Work (CLSEW) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) of the University of Toronto (UoT)	The workforce integration of at-risk youth in Ontario.	The objective was to assess the success of WISE integration (economic and social) for at-risk youth. The project also aimed to assess whether WISE interventions produce better results than conventional youth training programs funded by the government.	WISE Group: 82 members (retention rate of 46% at the 3-year follow-up). Non-SE Group: 534 members (retention rate of 57% at the 3-year follow-up).	SE organizations: Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Operation Come Home, Eva's Phoenix and Furniture Bank. Non-SE organizations: YMCA Employment Services, ACCES Employment, the Center for Education & Training (TCET), and St Stephen's Community House. Partners followed a transitional employment model, offering low skills on the job training.	A mixed-methodology approach, which analyzes quantitative and qualitative data together, was adopted. Surveys: Conducted over a 3-year period using the Asset Matrix model developed by Sustainable Livelihoods. Descriptive data analysis and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to assess changes to well-being. Interviews: Conducted with a section of participants (5%, n=26) at 6-months and 3-years.

Table 4: Project 3: The BC Work Integrated Social Enterprises project

Research team	Area of focus	Study objective	Study participants	Partner WISE organizations	Methodology
BC Centre for Employment Excellence (BC CfEE), a division of the SRDC with support from Rupert Downing, a BC-based social enterprise consultant.	BC WISEs (particularly in Abbotsford and Hazelton) and the labour force integration of BC workers facing employment barriers.	The study aimed to assess the long-term employment outcomes for WISE participants, particularly in BC. To assess what sector supports, and capacity building is necessary to improve the outcomes of BC WISEs and support hiring vulnerable populations sustainably. In addition to the main objectives, the researchers aimed to create a Learning Community of practitioners.	New WISE members were selected to participate over a 3-year period. 45 participants were recruited. By the final survey, 22 participants were retained (49% response rate). Cluster Design: Using the aggregation of outcomes data, participating WISEs from the 2 communities (Hazleton and Abbotsford) were separated into 2 case studies based on their locations. This offered the opportunity to compare rural and urban circumstances. However, by the 3-year follow-up, only 3 Hazelton participants remained in the study, forcing the research team to pool the survey data from both areas/clusters.	Abbotsford (Urban) WISE Partners: Archway Community Services, Communitas, and Mennonite Central Committee Community Enterprises (MCC CE) Hazleton (Rural) WISE Partners: Storytellers' Foundation, Upper Skeena Development Center [Senden Farm], and Gitanmaax Development Corporation Some partners focused on transitional training or employment. Other partner's (for example, Communitas) offered a mix of transitional training and permanent employment.	Survey: Completed upon enrolment in the study and over the course of 3 years. Developed with input from the 6 partner WISE organizations. Interviews: Preliminary and interim interviews were conducted with participants as well as each of the WISE partners. Final interviews were conducted with WISE partners to gain insight after the study.

Table 5: Project 4: Field trials and evaluation of WISE programming in North Simcoe

Research team	Area of focus	Study objective	Study participants	Partner WISE organizations	Methodology
Led by the SRDC in partnership with the Karma Project, a social enterprise that aims to support the long-term employment and well-being of at-risk youth in North Simcoe County.	The study focused on the long-term assessment of the effectiveness of providing social entrepreneurship training and work experience to marginalized youth, combining aspects of employment and community food security as an intervention that encourages learning food skills while cultivating employment skills and experience.	The study aimed to answer this research question: "Do WISEs provide meaningful opportunities for vulnerable youth populations in rural communities to improve their labour market outcomes and social inclusion?"	The SEED program recruited 59 students. 36 youth were enrolled at Simcoe Alternative Secondary School and at risk of leaving school before graduating, while the YMCA in Midland referred 23 remaining participants who were facing barriers to employment. 22 respondents remained by the final 2-year follow-up with a retention rate of 37.3%.	The SEED program developed by the Karma Project delivers food-based, work integration training for local youth that are unemployed or at risk of dropping out of high school. To provide work experience, many aspects of the Karma Project's network are incorporated, like the Affordable Market, the Good Food Box, the Rx Food program, student nutrition programs, and community gardens. Transitional training and support; however, a few SEED participants continued to support the organization on a voluntary basis.	Quantitative Data Sources: Pre and post intervention surveys and the SEED program database (which tracks participants' activities and referrals to other supports) Qualitative Data Sources: Field observations, interviews with Karma leadership and community stakeholders, and a focus group.

Table 6: Project 5: WISE impact: an outcome Study focused on WISE in the mental health sector

Research team	Area of focus	Study objective	Study participants	Partner WISE organizations	Methodology
Team of researchers from Queens University, UoT, and Glasgow Caledonian University	The social, economic, and health impacts of WISE programs within the mental health sector.	The study's core objectives were to profile persons with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) who work in WISEs and measure their social and labour market integration. The study also aimed to compare the socio-economic indicators of WISE employees and those who left the WISE to secure community employment.	Participants were selected from both new WISE hires and long-term employees. 106 workers were recruited, and 78 respondents completed the T3 interview. At the baseline, 43 participants were employed long-term at partner WISEs and 63 were recruited to the study upon hiring after previously being employed in the community (n=27), being unemployed for at least 6 months (n=24), or other (n=12).	Partner Ontario WISEs: Causeway Work Centre, Fresh Start Cleaning & Maintenance, Goodwill Industries, Rainbow's End, VOCEC (Jobwell), Impact Junk Solutions, and Working for Change. Refer to Appendix B of the final report for profiles of partners. Most participating WISEs support permanent employment, but transitional employment was common among participants. Although, participants frequently return to the WISE later on and a section of workers continue to work at the organization in the long-term.	Quantitative Interviews: 3 waves of interviews administered between Sept. 2017 and May 2022 to record demographic stats and measures of personal and economic wellbeing. Qualitative Interviews: Conducted with a subsection of participants (n=22) to study their experience working in the WISE. Qualitative interviews were also conducted with frontline WISE supervisors (n=14), focusing on employment practices and support structures. Finally, organizational level interviews with WISE administrators were preformed at the start and end of the study in the fall of 2017 and in May 2022.Footnote 17

Table 7: Project 6: Research project on the effectiveness of Work Integration Social Enterprises (CRISES)

Research team	Area of focus	Study objective	Study participants	Partner WISE organizations	Methodology
Team of researchers from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and the Centre de recherche sur les innovations sociales (CRISES)	The longitudinal socio-economic impacts of Quebec WISE programs.	The project aimed to track the impact of work integration programs on the financial situation, well-being, and social and professional abilities of participants. In addition, the study aimed to assess the unique interventions and models used by Quebec WISEs.Footnote 18	The project recruited 110 participants at T0. After the integration process, 93 individuals actually participated at some point over the course of the study. T1: 62 respondents T3: 71 respondents T6: 38 respondents.	Consisting of members of the CEIQ, participating WISE organizations included Insertech, Imprime Emploi, Les Ateliers d'Antoine, and Propret. The employment model was transitional (6-month training program), following CEIQ standards.	Quantitative and qualitative data was collected over a 3-year period using surveys, interviews, participant observations, a literature review, and document analysis. The literature review was used to broadly assess the Quebec WISE setting and intervention models and to describe the history of the Quebec labour market. SurveysFootnote 19 were analyzed using descriptive and latent profile analysis. Interviews were conducted at the start and throughout the study to accompany these findings.