My grandfather had many obstacles and set backs in his life but he didn’t give up. Yesterday was my Nonno’s ( Giovanni Marcuzzi’s) birthday and although we didn’t make the restaurant happen by our goal date we haven’t given up either!

We’ve had some set backs. A few really. The last year has been a HUGE learning curve and rather than jumping into something and doing it only at half capacity we decided to wait to do it 100%. Building this is important to me and many others. The idea of Giovanni’s Passion is not to just to live out the dream of my grandfather but to provide young women with an employment opportunity like no other. An opportunity for young women not only to build employment skills but also to learn about community, about carrying themselves well in this world and living fully. It is an opportunity full of possibilities and we need to make sure it’s sustainable and supported well.

We’ve all seen many businesses come and go and even more so social enterprises. In honour of Giovanni we need to make this happen when all the pieces of the puzzle are present.

Although an often tough and opinionated man my grandfather had a very soft heart. He would offer help whenever someone needed it and when he’d sit in front of the television and see an ad for people in need he would ask my grandmother to send a little money. He worked hard for the life he lead and knew the challenges of poverty and being an immigrant well. He also never forgot that opportunities he had in his life time because of people who provided him with opportunities when he came to Canada. It was those people and their families that allowed him the space to make his life a reality and it is with that that I am moved to the same.

If it was not for the people who have surrounded me and provided me the tools I’ve needed along the way I would not be working out the details to make more opportunities for young women in such a BIG and powerful way.

A special thanks to:

Aiyanna from Bandidas Taqueria

Scott Hawthorn of wayyyy to make things to list (Salt Tasting Room, Native Shoes, etc)

Joel Solomon of Renewal 2

Cory LePage

Madeleine Shaw of Lunapads

Pam Chaloult of Renewal 2

Wayne Holmes of Spectra Foods

Jon Cohen and Margot White, Passion Directors

Loretta A. Cella

Founder and ED of Passion Foundation

Passion Foundation is holding a March contest to design and create a logo for our social enterprise Giovanni’s Passion

Do you have what it takes?

We are seeking a simple old meets new design using our passion purple, black, and white, typewriter font and the rest is up to you.

Requirements:
Must have the words “Giovanni’s Passion” in design

This will be an opportunity to enhance your portfolio, win a gift card and be featured in Loretta Cella’s regular column in the Vancouver Observer.

Deadline March 20, 2011 at 4pm.

For more information please contact Loretta at 604.395.7685

Passion Foundation has made a decision to take a leap into the social enterprising world.

Working with an amazing group of young women (Lucia, Kiran, and Manpreet) from the YWiB SFU Project Give, Loretta is looking to create a euro style pastry shop in the memory of her nonno (grandfather) Giovanni Marcuzzi.

Giovanni’s Passion will be a old New York meets Euro style pastry stop with an urban twist. Not only will it be offering great coffee but old school pastries and yes… raw desserts. It’s social, local, and has value.

Giovanni’s Passion will be a place that will offer young women in the Metro Vancouver area a one year term employment opportunity in front and back of the house. Providing not only formal skills and stable employment but also an opportunity increase literacy and social capital.

The idea of Giovanni’s Passion is to take a long standing dream that Giovanni had. He had hoped that someone in the family would open a restaurant where people could come together have great food and chance to connect and celebrate life.

We’re set up a twitter account, youtube channel, and will be posting videos and updates as we move along in this journey.

The idea is to open Giovanni’s Passion on May 9, 2012, what would have been Giovanni’s 90th birthday.

Follow our progress through out social media outlets.

Have questions or would like to be involved? (604). 395.7685