The newly opened on-campus thrift store will support student learning through the Chiu School of Business, while giving students better access to affordable clothing and WINS House to Home program. It also supports Women In Need Society with its mission of supporting women and families.
May 21, 2026 (Calgary, AB) — Women In Need Society (WINS) and Bow Valley College have partnered to launch a first-of-its-kind campus social enterprise thrift store, bringing together education, sustainability, and social impact in a powerful new way.
Located on Bow Valley College’s downtown campus, the store is designed to serve students and staff while advancing social good and functioning both as a community resource and a living classroom. Through a collaboration with the Chiu School of Business, students across disciplines —including business administration, supply chain management, human resources, data analytics, and marketing — will engage directly with WINS’ operations, gaining hands-on experience within a mission-driven social enterprise.
As part of Bow Valley College’s Work Integrated Learning program, the initiative allows students to apply classroom learning in areal-world environment. First-year business students are already contributing to the store’s marketing strategy, with expanded opportunities to participate in operations, volunteering, and potential employment as the model grows.
“This is more than a store — it’s a living social enterprise and a support system for students. This model demonstrates in a real and visible way how business can create social impact,” said Karen Ramchuk, President and CEO of WINS. “Students won’t just learn about business — they will see the direct impact of their work benefiting fellow students. That experience shapes how future leaders think about the role of business in our communities.”
Through its thrift stores, WINS works to address gender inequality and poverty for women and their families while promoting sustainability through the reuse of quality used goods. The campus store extends this impact by providing free emergency clothing and essential items to students in need, helping remove barriers so learners can focus on their education with confidence and dignity. Eligible students will also have access to WINS’ House to Home program, which offers essential household items, furniture, and clothing to support stable living environments.
“Students contributing to the store will see first-hand how their work connects to real-world outcomes,” said Lynn Connell, Vice President, Student Experience and Digital Transformation at Bow Valley College.“ This initiative gives purpose to their learning while providing meaningful experience they can carry forward into their careers.”
“Women In Need Society is a strong advocate for social entrepreneurship and advancing a circular economy,” said Bart Chudleigh, Dean, Chiu School of Business and Technology. “This partnership gives students the opportunity to engage with these ideas in a tangible way — not just studying them but applying them in practice.”
This collaboration demonstrates how two innovativeCalgary organizations can work together to create new solutions that supportstudent success, advance social impact, and strengthen the broader community.
About WINS
WINS is a Calgary-based non-profit organization that has been providing support to women and families for over 30 years, through free community programs that provide basic needs, emotional support, and employment training. They do this by reinvesting revenue generated through their 7 WINS Thrift Stores and the More Store, and through the generous donations of Calgarians like you. Together, everyone WINS!
