What exactly is Social Entrepreneurship & why does it matter to apartment communities?

Did you know that TOMS shoes has a program called Shoe Drops? What is a shoe drop exactly? It’s an event that invites employees and public volunteers to visit really poor countries & participate first hand in the experience of giving. Volunteers on shoe drops are able to hand-deliver shoes to children in need.

And why is TOMS shoes so popular anyway? It all started when founder Blake Mycoskie was in Argentina participating on The Amazing Race. “I was sitting on a farm pondering life, and it occurred to me, ‘I'm going to start a shoe company, and for every pair that we sell, I'll give a pair to someone who needs them'“.

His idea was simple, for every pair of TOMS Shoes purchased, a pair of new shoes is given to a child in need. What did the TOMS founder know that set his idea apart? He understood that people want to connect to one another & actively participate in giving.

Imagine if apartment communities began to adapt this model of first hand giving. A percentage of a lease renewal could be given to a charity like Habitat for Humanity. The clubhouse could host volunteer events & training sessions. Social networking could be used to promote volunteer opportunities, creating a sense of community for the residents. Photos of residents volunteering could be on display in the leasing center, clubhouse & website.

With hundreds of people living in an apartment community longing for community, active giving is a tool that brings people together.

Some information was courtesy of NAAHQ & Wikipedia.