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We are Employ to Empower

Empowering low income entrepreneurs to overcome barriers.

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Who We Are

Employ to Empower (ETE) is an award-winning Vancouver charity that believes no one should get left behind, no matter the barriers they face. Every person has strengths to offer and deserves the opportunity to thrive. We collaborate with people facing systemic barriers by providing free entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and community support.

Our programs empower people navigating challenges such as disability, mental health, and substance use, by working alongside them to build confidence, generate income, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

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Introduction to Entrepreneurship Workshop

This interactive session will explore five key concepts in entrepreneurship, guiding participants in clarifying their business ideas and uncovering the WHY and PURPOSE behind them. It’s a great starting point for those curious about entrepreneurship!

Our Services

8 Weeks

Business Skills Training Program

This hands-on program helps you develop a basic business plan using practical business skills, entrepreneurship tools, and guided facilitation. Over eight weeks, you’ll refine your business idea step by step—building a strong foundation to launch your business.

Ongoing

Mentorship Program

Upon acceptance, the Mentorship Program is to empower entrepreneurs with guidance, support, and resources to help them develop their skills, achieve their business objectives, and build confidence in their abilities.

Entrepreneur Testimonies

”For me, Employ to Empower means community. Since becoming involved with ETE, I have gained a little more exposure and I have increased my personal participation in social events. If I have learned anything, is it to check my damn emails!! Overall I know ETE is an important part of our community because I can send people there and know they are not judged for their substance use or area code.

Iven S.Founder of Medicine Art

”ETE represents community and collaboration while having respect for all. I’ve never met an organization that does its very best to uplift and inspire entrepreneurs like Employ to Empower does. The changes I’ve seen within myself are more confidence and a spark for a promising future.

Mikaela F.Founder of BYOV

”Since joining ETE, I have seen new possibilities, new opportunities and new ways to grow my business. I’ve learned how to be a businesswoman. Before I used to work all by myself and now I have seen myself being a part of a team, working together. Employ to Empower are supportive of me and always ready to help. They’ve taught me that whatever you put into a project, that’s what you take out. They mean everything to me.

Julie M.Founder of Enviro Bag Evolution

”Being a part of Employ to Empower has opened up a lot of doors for me and I’m really grateful for that. Employ to Empower supports me and since joining, new aspects of my art are being shown in a variety of different ways. People want and are taking time to hear my story.

Deirdre P.Founder of Deirdre Pinnock Designs

”ETE means the world to me because it has been a lifelong dream to be an author. I have seen many outstanding CHANGES personally, as in more confidence and willingness to learn. ETE has taught me to be more accountable, mindful, and open-minded and I am able to laugh and share the joy with others. ETE is an important part of the community because there is so much talent here in the DTES.

Yvonne M.Writer & Poet

”During the immigration process, I started carrying barriers that were getting in the way of a stable job and consuming my identity and self-worth. ETE has helped me to change that, by giving me a change to not only find other ways to earn money but to redefine myself and get in touch again with art. Now I have started seeing the possibility to be an entrepreneur and consider my art as business. Since graduating from the program, I now have an attainable idea of what I want to reach and I’ve been able to build my art brand from scratch. Impacting positively my self-worth and mental health.

Deryana H.Founder of Deryana’s Art

”I was in a really dark place with addictions and this 10-week program really provided me with a purpose and most importantly, hope, because I didn’t really have much before joining. In a way, this saved me because I was not headed down a good road. I will be forever grateful for ETE offering that kind of spark back into my life.

Sonya B.Founder of Gheelicious