Tiny City Makers
A social enterprise project of A Better Tent City, officially launched on December 11, 2024!
Tiny City Makers is an arts-based therapy program designed for the residents of A Better Tent City (ABTC). We use all proceeds from the sale of products to compensate ABTC residents and the facilitators for their time and materials. Our vision is to enrich the lives of ABTC residents by offering self-sustaining arts programming that inspires hope.
Why this is Important:
“We often see how residents channel their artistic and creative skills to contribute to life at A Better Tent City. Now, we can provide residents with supplementary income and build their confidence while sharing our story with the rest of the Region."
-Laura Hamilton, Founding Board Member at ABTC
Our Christmas Collection
Over the past two months, residents have participated in three arts-based workshops to create unique Christmas ornaments and Holiday Cards for our community to purchase. You can discover the entire collection below!
Our Supporters
We are grateful to our financial supporters and partners who helped to make our Tiny City Makers project a reality.
Developed by and for the residents of ABTC
We engaged A Better Tent City residents throughout the research, branding, and creation of Tiny City Makers to ensure our new project aligned with their personal goals.
"I'm a huge arts person, I love colouring, drawing, and building stuff, working with my hands."
- ABTC Resident
“It would be good if everyone had something to do, if people had a purpose, and give them money for what they need, make them feel like they're a part of something.” - ABTC Resident
"I really want to work, I've always wanted to. I just want to contribute something."
- ABTC Resident
How to Support Tiny City Makers
1. Purchase Online
Place an order online for your favourite christmas ornaments and holiday cards!
2. Select Pick Up Time
Select a time to pick up your order at the SDG Idea Factory in downtown Kitchener.
3. Feel Proud of your Impact!
That’s it! We’ll have your order ready for pick-up during your selected time and day.
Zoe Miller, The Community Company
"By creating intentional space for residents to learn new arts-based skills and process their experiences and emotions through art while being paid for their time, Tiny City Makers is creating a pathway to hope and supporting residents with life-stabilization. More than that - residents are sharing their stories and their skills through art, local artists are connecting with residents by facilitating arts-therapy workshops, and the greater Waterloo Region is able to support ABTC in an entirely new way.”
Tiny City Makers
Products for Sale
Let’s Get in Touch!
Do you have an idea for how we can improve Tiny City Makers? Are you a maker interested in facilitating a workshop? Are you a business or funder looking to support Tiny City Makers? Contact us if you want to collaborate or share an idea!
abtc@waterlooregion.org