Ontario Expands Support for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Mississauga and Brampton

Ontario is enhancing its Investing in Women’s Futures program by establishing 10 new service locations throughout the province, including Mississauga and Brampton. These centers aim to assist women, including those facing gender-based violence and social isolation, in overcoming economic and social barriers by developing their financial skills.

The announcement was made in Brampton on Tuesday, with Brampton-Centre MPP Charmaine Williams emphasizing that the new center in Brampton will offer comprehensive support and resources to help women rebuild their lives, increase workforce participation, and achieve financial independence. The services provided will include employment readiness programs, workshops, access to financial resources, networking opportunities, peer support, and self-care seminars to prepare for entering or re-entering the workforce.

Roots Community Services and Achēv will deliver the initiative in Mississauga and Brampton, both of which have received investments from the province under the program. Roots Community Services plans to assist 75 women annually through its Social Enterprising & Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) program, offering 12-week programs aimed at healing from past trauma, building confidence, and working towards financial independence.

Angela Carter, Executive Director of Roots Community Services, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to provide women facing social and economic barriers with skills and knowledge to establish a solid foundation for a brighter future.

The recent announcement pertains to the establishment of 10 new centers under the program, funded by a $6.9 million investment. These centers include organizations such as Huronia Transition Homes in Midland, Community Resource Center (Killaloe) Inc. in Killaloe, Achēv in Mississauga, Resolve Counselling Services Canada in Kingston, Women’s Centre of York Region in Newmarket, Roots Community Services Inc. in Brampton and Mississauga, Up with Women in Toronto, Women’s Multicultural Resource & Counselling Centre of Durham Pickering, and Counselling Centre of East Algoma in Elliot Lake.

According to the province, since 2021, over 1,300 women have benefited from the project, securing employment, starting their own businesses, or pursuing further training and education.