#CraftChange Partners: highJinx Social Enterprise

Frustrated with the degrading paperwork and bureaucratic red tape that come with a lot of assistance programs in the city, Karen and Lea both left their established careers in the mental health system to make an organization that offers help without barriers.

highJinx Social Enterprise is an eclectic, second-hand community shop that sells antiques and unique homeware to help fund their goal of giving back all ways possible.

“highJinx is about people helping people,” say Karen and Lea on the social enterprise’s website. “There is no judgement or assessment. If you need a toaster, you get a toaster. If you need a coach, we will find you a coach.”

The cozy little Centretown shop is stocked with donations from all over the community, with the pair now receiving new inventory every week to help fund their dream of unconditional giving.

Thanks to warm character of Karen and Lea, highJinx has now become an impromptu community center for many of their neighbours. The pair hosts drop-in days for free food and operates a furniture bank for those in need of anything from a sleeping bag to a microwave.

Using the money raised, the women have been giving back through other unconventional methods including paying people’s bills when the funds get low, attending appointments with those who need a partner, or just giving hugs to those who need it.

In order to help continue their amazing work, Maker House Co. is proud to announce that highJinx will be our next #CraftChange partner and will be receiving two per cent of all our sales for the first three months of 2017 as a donation.

We hope that our contribution will allow Karen and Lea to keep doing what they do best: help everyone who needs it.