Our Story.
the Beginning
In 2014, theDock opened its doors in FanTan Alley—in Victoria’s Chinatown—providing one of the first coworking spaces for social entrepreneurs and organizations. With just four desks and a small crew, theDock quickly recognized the sea of need for coworking spaces it was sailing on.
the First Expansion
In 2016 theDock moved to its current home at 722 Cormorant Street, a beautiful and bright space in heart of downtown.
For almost a decade, theDock grew on the 3rd floor of 722 Cormorant Street. This floor is the heart of the centre for social impact. When you visit, you’ll see and feel the home that has been created over the years. It’s warm, bright, and cozy.
theDock today
In 2023 theDock expanded to the 1st floor of 722 Cormorant Street! This floor was built by coworkers for coworkers. Now we are able to continue welcoming new collaborations with social impact professionals and organizations everyday. With two floors holding dynamic space options, bustling coworking and focused solo work are possible, and all in the same building! Plus, we have double the space for play and connection with the social impact community!
Meet our Parent
Company
Scale Collaborative became owners of theDock in June 2019. Scale believes in the tremendous power of social purpose organizations to transform community. Scale works to strengthen the social enterprise, social procurement and social finance ecosystem on Vancouver Island. We believe that providing space for collaboration and the incubation of ideas is key to a connected and supported social impact sector.
Victoria’s social impact community grows here.
theDock is a social enterprise created for community, by community. It is a special place. With such diversified social professionals all in one space, theDock is rich in impact.
Our overarching vision is a connected and impactful social change sector in Victoria, BC. Above all, theDock fosters connection, access to learning, and unique events within an inspiring culture.
theDock makes it possible to pilot and test initiatives, bring community together, support startups, and scale impact.
Meet theDock Team
Real people, with a passion for real impact.
Colin Richards, Community Manager
Colin (he/him) has worked in and for coworking spaces for the past ten years. For the past three years, he has been a core part of theDock’s inception and development. Currently, he is theDock’s Community and Operations Manager.
He’s been a barista, bartender, corporate video producer, a community activist and excels at the hospitality/account management side of coworking.
He loves learning what his members are working on, finding opportunities for collaboration, making connections and animating the space.
Eric Buhne, Community Coordinator
Eric (he/him) joined theDock in 2019 as a Dockhand to get space for his team at Curbside Community Farms Cooperative.
After working intermittently for theDock and other food security organizations, he started as theDock’s Social Coordinator.
Eric works to animate and support the community through events, programs, entertaining member communications, among other activities.
He is currently pursuing a Master in Community Development at UVic and continuing to build Curbside with his team.
Jade Chicorelli, Dockhand Coordinator and Marketing & Communications
Jade (she/they/he) is an evocative, energetic, and pirate/clowning professional. They began their journey with theDock Crew in 2023 as the Dockhand Coordinator, and is now the head of Marketing. Jade has recently completed their B.A in Psychology, Enviromental Studies, and Human Dimensions of Climate Change. They’re additionally a practicing holistic climate consultant with X3 Collective Consulting Alongside these selves, Jade is crazy about swing dance, clowning, improv, and all things growing.
Climb aboard theDockhand Crew, and become a member of this wonderfully diverse community!
Meet the Dockhand Volunteer Crew!
Dockhands are the official jack of all trades crew members of theDock! They manage the functional front helm flow of theDock, all while embodying the fun and fellowship of our social impact community. Becoming a Dockhand is an invitation to directly partake in creating and maintaining the space of social impact itself. Uniquely, Dockhands navigate the vessel between responsibility and opportunity, the experience of the program is shaped by Dockhands themselves. Discover the possibilities of your exchange below!
Patty Disbrow
Patty Disbrow (she/they) is well into their second year as a Dockhand, and remains an active driver of community with her passions of connection and justice! She has a professional background in childhood education and massage. Their balance of Joy, Creativity, Movement, and Laughter leads naturally into offering Games Night, Mending Circle, Plant Collection, and massage (by donation) at theDock.
Sirajum Munira (she/they)
With a dynamic blend of skills in mental health, disability and diversity inclusion advocacy, and professional photography, I am passionate about fostering inclusivity and diversity. I hold an MA in Social Integration and have worked internationally in Bangladesh, the UAE, and Hungary, developing strong skills in intercultural communication, psychosocial support, training, and teaching. My experience as a photographer and entrepreneur has taught me to be adaptable, resourceful, and creative. I’m excited to bring these strengths to my role as a dockhand, connecting with people from all walks of life and contributing to the community. Bonus 😉: Check out my photography here: https://solo.to/smunirafotografie
Ruthven S.
Ruthven (she/her) is an enthusiastic learning devotee dedicated to contributing to community spaces like the Dock. A person of countless interests, Ruthven delights at the opportunity to interact with Dock members and learn about the wonderful things they use the space for. In her spare time, Ruthven dances, bakes sweet treats, crafts, explores the outdoors, and reads books from the Staff Picks section of the public library. Ruthven joined the Dock in late 2023 to access a comfortable study space for her university classes. You can find her in the floor kitchen making a cup of tea.
Arsham Saeidi-Pour
Arsham (he/him) discovered the Dockhand program while seeking a space to record his course, Financial Intelligence 2.0. He's the founder of two dynamic startups. Mint Mantis, a talent and management consulting agency, is dedicated to assisting artists to build business from art. His second venture, Sookie, is an investment platform that bridges the gap between values-based investors and community-driven startups and social enterprises for private placement investments.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Arsham is an avid sports enthusiast. He enjoys long-distance running, swimming, basketball, and exploring hidden gems around town.
Hector Perez
Hey everyone! I'm Hector (he/him), originally from Guatemala and settled in Vic since 2013. With a degree in computer science and music, I've worn many hats—from developer to now helping at Proyectum, where I'm diving into on-demand courses for project management and gearing up to teach virtually. Outside of this, I keep busy at Indigo Bookstore part-time . In my downtime, you'll find me jamming on guitar and ukelele, tinkering with Logic Pro, and enjoying standup comedy. When I need a break, I love strolling around (often with snacks in hand—popcorn and M&Ms, anyone?) and sharing ridiculous facts like "you can't learn to swim from a library." Looking forward to connecting with you all!
Anoushka Thakkar
Hi, I’m Anoushka (she/her)!
I’m blending my mental health background with a new focus on health communication, which has sparked my drive to support racialized and underrepresented communities and build inclusive networks. My journey includes everything from research to community outreach, all centered around mental health and healthcare.
Karleena Parmar
Karleena (they/any) - Hey! I'm Karleena! I am passionate and driven, striving to create regenerative support within my communities. I am currently studying sociology at UVIC. My passions include environmentalism, sociology, photography/art and overall care for the planet and people. I hold strong values centered around mutual aid, decolonization, and community-based support systems. I am currently a board member for Wild Embrace Farm Society and Curbside Co-op and an active member of the UVSS gender empowerment center at UVIC. I joined the dockhand program because I was striving to fill my day with fulfillment and meaning, and Eric suggested I join! Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive! I am always down to chat about anything social, community, or political related or really anything, so feel free to say hi! I am very excited to see what the future holds here at the Dock and look forward to connecting with you.
Matthew Enright
Matt Enright is a filmmaker based in Victoria. He previously lived in Vancouver and worked in production management roles on major projects such as "Arrow", "Chip and Potato", "Snoopy in Space", "The Snoopy Show", and "Rick and Morty. He recently created his own docuseries called "TALK SHOW w/ Matt Enright" which is available on YouTube and Spotify. He recently received a grant from Telus StoryHive to create a video podcast on the staff and organizations within theDock, which is now in production. When he's not making movies he can usually be found at the beach, comedy show, or movies. You can find out more about his projects at https://linktr.ee/mattenrightmedia
Contact Us
learn more about Social Impact and how theDock can be the right place for you!
Come for a visit
300-722 Cormorant Street
Victoria, BC, V8W 1P8
Canada
GETTING TO THEDOCK BROCHURE
View the brochure to explore nearby parking options and bus routes.