Since 2006, informal and formal research has been carried out in relation to the potential establishment of a Catherine House Social Enterprise.  In 2008, the Director and one other staff member attended the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Director also took the opportunity whilst overseas to visit social enterprise sites in the UK and USA, as part of the ongoing research into the potential setting up of such a project.  

In January 2009, a 'Think Tank' of prominent business people met with the Director and other Catherine House staff to deliberate on these research findings, and to come to a decision whether or not to proceed with the venture.  At the end of that year, the group made a recommendation to the Catherine House Inc. Board that consideration should be given to the establishment of a Job Placement Service Social Enterprise. 

Early in 2010, a group of business women was set up to work with the Director and the Business Development Coordinator to formulate a Business Plan for the new work, which eventually was named WorkNext. The Catherine House Inc. Board approved the WorkNext Job Placement Service Business Plan in June 2010.   Subsequently, two mentoring groups were established – Investor and Employer – that continued to do in-depth research on their given topic area.

Catherine House is highly appreciative of the work of our one-day-a-week volunteer researcher who holds a PhD in research.   She ensures that the organisation is fully-briefed on current trends in the marketplace, and up-to-date with relevant data from research studies that have been released.

Catherine House has a demonstrated track record in collaborative research involving industry partners, government (local, state and federal), community organisations and university research departments. Research continues to be a much valued and keen aspect of our day-to-day work and practice.