mission: make a difference
Discover more about SLAK flowers, our mission and core beliefs, and the team behind spreading loving acts of kindness.
Our goal is simple: to hire people who are experiencing homelessness without exploiting those in need.
Not all people who are experiencing homelessness are unemployed or without opportunities, but for those that are, finding a job can be a never ending struggle. A lack of opportunity, unfounded judgement, and a system designed to hinder rather than support keeps countless doors closed.
Whether this is by choice, due to red-tape, or simply through a lack of access, it’s a problem that for far too long has been left untackled. If a gapless CV or a flawless suit is to define a successful interview, are we truly tapping into someone’s inner passions or talent?
Thus begins a heart breaking loop. Without employment, a permanent address is hard to come by. Without a permanent address, employment opportunities are seriously limited. It often isn’t a lack of want or dedication to break the cycle, it’s that the cycle has been created by those who simply don’t understand these struggles. People who haven’t taken the time to address and fix these obvious injustices that we have in the modern world.
With around 100,000+ people in Australia alone counted as without homes, this is a large part of our communities we are failing. Why? That’s a very good question. In a country such as Australia, rich in resources, passion and opportunities, we shouldn’t be having these conversations.
Regardless of the individual reasons people who are experiencing homelessness and the many misinformed or misconceptions that accompany these discussions, we have a duty of care to our fellow humans.
These aren’t just numbers or statistics, these are people with names and dreams. Brothers, sisters, parents or children. Individuals with stories and passions, skills and desires. It’s on this level we want to get to communicate, to care, to get to know each other. It’s at this level we want to spread loving acts of kindness.
We need to move beyond the stereotypes and statistics. Will you join us?
At SLAK our team is led by highly experienced and professional florists, but most importantly we exist to provide training, development, and guaranteed employment opportunities for people who are homeless.
We believe social entrepreneurship and social enterprises are in a privileged position to truly tackle some of our greatest injustices heads on. One day, one person, one story at a time. While the creation of stable employment and income, training and development is a key part of this story, establishing safe spaces, community, and a commitment to invest and develop (one-year contracts) are equally important.
Every change in this world starts simply with a conversation. An understanding, a meeting-in-the-middle style situation. Through learning, understanding, support and commitment, we can break the cycle so many are needlessly stuck in.
We aren’t a charity, because we believe that self worth and dignity are essential parts of a successful journey. Instead, we believe in investment and development, and hard earned opportunities. By growing confidence and giving individuals the chance to shine, we know a real change can be made.
Between those who wish to join the SLAK training program, your continued custom for our designer flowers, and our ongoing dedication to growth opportunities, together we will all make a difference.
Proudly support a florist with a difference, a social enterprise which creates more prosperous futures and join us in spreading loving acts of kindness through. Click here to begin your journey with us by viewing our range of flowers.
Spreading loving acts of kindness can take on many forms, from something as paramount as providing life changing opportunities, to the simple act of gifting a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
At SLAK flowers, we hold our seven core beliefs in our heart and wear them on our sleeve. These are our commitments, our purpose and our mission.
Once a member of the SLAK family, always a member of the SLAK family. When our time together ends we know it won’t be goodbye, it’s simply time for another game changer to step into the world and shine. Equipped, empowered, and embarking on their own mission to spread loving acts of kindness.
The film, which tells the story of how a community in a Delhi slum have been empowered through education, self-esteem and new skills, captures the essence of all that Simla believes in and had more importantly been a part of on the ground in India. When international borders closed in 2020, it didn’t take long for Rockefeller’s words to come true, and Simla’s heart led her to founding SLAK flowers.
Founder of the Empowerment Tourism concept and the Hands on Journeys tour company, Sydney based Simla is a passionate believer in creating opportunities and empowering individuals to realise their full potential.
She has travelled the world as a global speaker and initiated and supported countless projects across continents. A firm believer in empowering through skills and employment opportunities, it was natural that one day she would bring this concept back home to Sydney and thus, SLAK flowers was born.
“I never ruled out the value of creating the same social impact in my home country but somehow, I was always engaged in projects outside. So, in a world where all the old rules have been turned upside down, and where the future appears more unpredictable than ever, I needed to reconsider my purpose and I saw an unparalleled opportunity to stand up and own my space to provide real, lasting value in Sydney. I have seen firsthand the immeasurable benefit of providing initial opportunities to people, in the right environment so they can thrive, and every time I am blown away by how people take those small offerings of support and use it to transform their lives” says Simla on the birth of SLAK flowers.
“After all, empowerment is about providing an opportunity for those in a disadvantaged situation to rise out of poverty, it’s about identifying strengths, boosting skills and supplying the tools and training to succeed.”
Simla’s personal story of overcoming her own hardships and challenges, from immigration to near-death experiences has inspired thousands of delegates as a key-note speaker globally. However, it’s the one-on-one connections, in providing opportunities and empowerment to individuals which fire her up more than speaking to any crowd.
So, we invite you to buy different, make a difference. Join us in spreading loving acts of kindness through floristry.