Reconnecting Ontario
Because this summer should be spent reconnecting with those we care about most.
Our 13th community project was created in partnership with J.O.E., a Guelph-based charity focused on innovative, community-based employment and job-training for adults with developmental disabilities.
Isolation has been tough
Humans are social creatures, and many of us have experienced anxiety, loneliness, and depression as a consequence of this pandemic.
The good news is that we’re on Step 3 of Reopening Ontario, and we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. As we begin to safely reopen our province, let’s not forget about reaching out to our friends and family that we haven’t heard from recently.
While a text message is nice, there’s nothing like receiving a handwritten note in the mail.
“My community has given me the means to connect with people. I feel like I belong.”
Everyone appreciates the friend that goes the extra mile
We’ve had to look after ourselves this past year and focus on our own well-being. And that means we’ve likely lost touch with a few of our friends that we still care a lot about.
Let’s use this summer to check in with our friends and family and let them know we’re excited to see them again.
Become the friend who reconnects with others. And help us and our J.O.E. community members Reconnect Ontario.
“You matter. And you should be proud of yourself, especially for making it through this pandemic. It’s important to love yourself and to validate yourself.”
Like you, we also miss connecting with others
Our J.O.E. Creators used to serve at coffee nooks across Guelph and they miss interacting with our community. We created this project to spread happiness and to remind everyone in Ontario how nice it’ll be to connect with each other again.
From the postcard designs to the organizations we’re partnering with, this entire project was created collaboratively with our J.O.E. Creators through online workshops.
In addition to sharing profits with our J.O.E. Creators, The Community Company has a goal of donating 4,000 postcards to community organizations across the province to encourage people to reconnect!
Our Postcards
Every card is high-quality, designed locally, and gives back to our community.
You are Beautiful Postcard
Designed by Susie.
“I want my postcard to make other people happy and to make them smile, because it has been so lonely and stressful during the pandemic."
“I came up with the idea of having a big heart in the middle of my postcard, surrounding by all different kinds of beautiful flowers, representing my friends.”
“And because I wanted to make all of my friends happy, I suggested that we could make flowers look happy but adding emojis with smiley faces.”
Better Together Postcard
Designed by Zach.
“The design I chose was a tree. Picture the tree as a house or park and each of the squirrels in the tree as friends or family. That’s what being in a community means to me.”
“You get to hang out and talk about your goals and have lunch together. This postcard means gathering and people getting together in whatever way they can.”
Teddy Bear Postcard
Designed by Ranju.
“I chose a joke theme for my card because everybody loves jokes. People get cheered up even if they are having a bad day. My jokes put smiles on the faces of the J.O.E. customers.”
“They would expect a new joke from me every time they see me and it gave me incentive to collect jokes from many sources.”
“Hopefully my card will brighten up the recipient’s day!”
Let’s Connect Postcard
Designed by Nathan.
“My postcard is inspired by serving at the coffee nook with J.O.E. at the medical centre. We met a wide variety of people there and I remember someone telling me once that even the smell of coffee there really brightened people’s days.”
“We all have our own stories and we’re all unique, so I represented that by putting unique books on the bookshelf. Community is all about lowering our walls and forming a connection without fear of judgement.”
Delivering 4,000 Postcards
For every postcard you purchase, two postcards will be donated to community groups across Ontario to brighten people’s day. We’ve contributed the first 2,000 postcards; help us get to our goal of funding 4,000 postcards this summer!
3,288
Postcards funded
4,000
postcard goal
About our Postcard Creators
Our four postcard Creators are all part of J.O.E.'s community-based employment and job-training program. Learn more about them by clicking their picture!
Become a Changemaker.
Here are four ways you can help us Reconnect Ontario.
Purchase a set of Postcards Today
Every postcard is high quality, locally designed, and includes a themed envelope.
Reconnecting Ontario Postcards
$0.75-$2.00 per card, depending on quantity.
About the Cards:
The premium 4x5.5 inch postcards have a gloss finish and were professional designed and printed. Every postcard also includes a vintage-themed envelope.
About the Creators:
We partnered with J.O.E., a Guelph-based charity based focused on innovative, community-based employment and job-training. Our postcards were co-designed with Maya Masengi, a Waterloo-based artist to help Creators bring their postcard vision to life!
Profit Sharing:
The Community Company is a social enterprise that strongly believes in Linked Prosperity, meaning that as our business grows, our partners should benefit and grow alongside us.
Our four Creators for the Reconnecting Ontario project were paid $50 for their time, and earn 5%-12% from every postcard sale.
“I really liked how I could work Maya to make my postcard. It looks exactly like how I was picturing it in my mind. I think we make a great team!”
Print your Own Postcard
You are welcome to print your own postcard or send it as an e-card!
Our postcards are meant to be shared
If you’d rather save a few dollars, DIY your own, or send it as an email, click the button below to go to a Google Drive that has all four of our postcards in PDF format.
We want our postcards to be shared with as many people as possible!
Postcard Stands
Every postcard stand includes a pre-written chalk sign and postcards for you to give away to your guests, customers, or staff.
Postcard Stand
Starting at $50 and includes 50 postcards with envelopes or 100 postcards without envelopes.
You can purchase a Postcard Stand to offer free postcards to your guests, customers, or staff who visit your organization’s storefront or office. Every Postcard Stand also includes a handwritten chalk sign.
Help us Reconnect Ontario!
For bulk orders, please contact info@communitycompany.org
Share a Photo or Video
Our Creators are proud of their postcards and would love to see photos and videos of people enjoying their work!
Share a photo or video of you and your new postcard!
Let the Creator know your favourite thing about their card and how it made you smile. Did you send or receive a card from a close friend or family member? Let us know!
Take a photo. Or record a video. And tag us @thecommunitycompany on a Facebook or on Instagram. All tagged photos will be entered to win a handwritten postcard from one of our Creators as well as a special thank you gift!
"I want my postcard to make other people happy, to make them smile” - Susie
In the Media
The Community Company supporting social causes
Interview with Alexandra Pinto, CTV News Kitchener, August 4, 2021.
Click the button below to watch our interview with CTV Kitchener about our Reconnecting Ontario project!
