Did you know that women now own 39% of small-to-medium enterprises in Canada? According to Statistics Canada, immigrant women play a vital role in this landscape, with 25% of women entrepreneurs identifying as immigrants.
However, accessing funding remains a significant hurdle, with 68% of women entrepreneurs struggling to secure financial support. This makes the work of organizations that cater to immigrants and other women all the more important.
Let’s see how the six organizations are promoting women’s empowerment and evolving their entrepreneurship in Canada.
Women Empowerment: 6 Canadian Organizations Making a Difference!
Starting a business isn’t easy, especially for immigrant women who often face unique challenges like limited access to funding and the complexities of navigating a new culture.
Below are the 6 organizations that are dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in Canada. They not only provide resources and mentorship but also empower women to break barriers and achieve financial independence.
Here is the list:
-
Weecommerce: Empowering Your Digital Storefront Dreams
If you’re a woman dreaming of starting your online store but feel overwhelmed, Weecommerce is here to make things easier. Think of them as your business best friend, offering all the support you need to thrive in the digital space.
What Weecommerce Offers
- Free Websites: They offer a professionally designed website to showcase your business online. The best part? It’s completely free for one year.
- Dedicated Support: Weecommerce doesn’t just hand you a website and leave. They’ll guide you every step of the way, ensuring that your site is set up for success.
- Unlimited Product Showcase: With Weecommerce, there are no limits to the number of products you can feature. Display as many items as you like to attract customers
Weecommerce is dedicated to lowering barriers for women entrepreneurs, making economic empowerment accessible to all. We’re committed to promoting women’s empowerment by helping them take charge of their financial futures with confidence.
-
Sakeenah Canada: A Safe Haven for Healing
Imagine having nowhere to turn after leaving an abusive situation. Sakeenah Canada steps in as a lifeline, offering women a safe shelter. They provide a holistic support system to help women rebuild their lives and regain independence.
What Sakeenah Canada Offers
- Employment Support: Need help crafting a resume or acing an interview? Sakeenah’s workshops prepare women to secure jobs or even start their businesses.
- Financial Assistance: Leaving an abusive situation often means starting over with nothing. Sakeenah provides financial grants to help women get back on their feet.
- Education and Life Skills Training: From financial literacy to entrepreneurial skills, Sakeenah equips women with the tools they need to thrive.
- Referrals: Whether it’s accessing government programs or connecting with other organizations, Sakeenah ensures women have a network of support.
Sakeenah Canada focuses on cultural sensitivity and women empowerment, ensuring every woman feels seen, heard, and supported. They embody the true meaning of women’s empowerment by fostering education, skill-building, and financial autonomy.
-
Newcomer Kitchen: Turning Recipes into Opportunities
Picture a group of newcomer women gathered around a kitchen table, cooking meals that remind them of home. That’s the heart of Newcomer Kitchen, a social enterprise transforming culinary skills into economic opportunities for immigrant women.
How Newcomer Kitchen Helps
- Cooking Workshops: These are opportunities for women to generate income by preparing meals for sale.
- Food Handler Certifications: Certifications in Arabic help women gain Canadian work experience and open doors to employment in the food industry.
- Catering and Pop-Up Events: Women showcase their talents, share their culture, and earn money through various culinary events.
Newcomer Kitchen is more than a workplace. It’s a space for cultural exchange, financial independence, and community building. It shows how women’s empowerment starts by leveraging the skills they already have.
-
Syrian Canadian Foundation: Bridging Cultural Barriers
The Syrian Canadian Foundation (SCF) believes in building strong communities by empowering refugee and newcomer women. They offer tailored programs to help women achieve their entrepreneurial dreams and take active roles in their communities.
Programs to Watch
- Newcomer Entrepreneur Women Venture: This initiative equips refugee women with training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to launch businesses.
- Civic Engagement Initiatives: SCF encourages women to become changemakers within their communities.
- Skill-Building Workshops: From technical skills to entrepreneurial training, these workshops prepare women to succeed in the workforce or as business owners.
SCF’s programs are designed to address the unique challenges refugee and immigrant women face, ensuring they feel confident and capable of rebuilding their lives in Canada.
-
Scadding Court Community Centre: Helping Women Lead
The Scadding Court Community Centre (SCCC) is all about inclusion and equity. For women entrepreneurs, especially newcomers, their programs offer the tools and mentorship needed to transform ideas into successful businesses.
Empowering Women Through Programs
- Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub (NEH): This free program offers pre-incubation training, mentorship from industry experts, and networking opportunities for immigrant entrepreneurs.
- Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub (WE-Hub): Over five weeks, participants receive business training, marketing support, and mentorship to launch their ventures successfully.
- Pop-Up Markets: These events allow women to test their business ideas and connect with potential customers.
SCCC is a launchpad for women’s entrepreneurial journeys, offering practical resources and a strong support network.
-
Up With Women: A Place for a Heroic Comeback!
Imagine rebuilding your career after facing homelessness or domestic violence. Up With Women is a national charity that helps women rebuild their lives around the world through career and entrepreneurial programs.
What Up With Women Offers
- One-on-One Coaching: Women receive personalized guidance to rebuild their careers or start businesses.
- Workshops: Covering topics like marketing, financial literacy, and business planning, these sessions empower women with actionable skills.
- Mentorship: Women are paired with industry professionals who guide them through the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Up With Women focuses on long-term success, helping women transition from crisis to self-sufficiency. They prove that with the right support, every woman can rise above adversity and thrive.
Conclusion
These six organizations are transforming the lives of women, especially immigrants and those in vulnerable situations. By offering essential resources, promoting women’s empowerment, and providing support, they pave the way for hope and financial independence.
Are you ready to share your talents with the world? Start your entrepreneurial journey today with a free website from Weecommerce!
FAQs
What website-building tools does Weecommerce provide? Weecommerce offers a professional, free website design for one year, along with ongoing support to manage and grow your website effectively.
How does Sakeenah Canada assist women with legal issues?
Sakeenah Canada connects women with lawyers and Legal Aid agencies to help them navigate legal challenges, ensuring they have the resources to proceed confidently.
Can Newcomer Kitchen help women earn certifications?
Yes, Newcomer Kitchen provides Food Handler Certifications in Arabic, giving women a head start in the Canadian food industry.
