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ABOUT US

A Vancouver-based charity that empowers low-income individuals to overcome barriers through entrepreneurship.

Who We Are

Employ to Empower (ETE) is an award-winning Vancouver charity that believes no one should be left behind because of the barriers they face. We empower people navigating disability, mental health challenges, substance use, poverty, and newcomer experiences through free entrepreneurship training, mentorship, counselling, and community support.

Entrepreneurship provides a flexible pathway for people to build confidence, generate income, and contribute their talents to their communities when traditional employment isn’t accessible.

2024–2025 Annual Report

Why This Matters

50% of employers are hesitant to hire people living with barriers, leaving many talented individuals without opportunities to contribute their skills.

Our Mission

To empower low-income entrepreneurs to overcome systemic barriers.

Our Vision

A world where no one gets left behind, no matter the barriers they face and everyone gets to put their full skills and talents to use.

Eight Years of Impact

When people live with barriers, traditional employment opportunities can be limited. Entrepreneurship offers a flexible pathway for individuals to use their talents while building purpose, pride, and self-agency. Over the past 8 years, Employ to Empower has empowered 606+ entrepreneurs with an average 80% program completion rate.

Skills & Confidence Building

92% members shared an increase in skills and confidence

Empowerment

95% sharing feeling capable of acheiveing their goals

Business Growth

73% started a business and are earning money

Our Values

Community

We aim to cultivate an interconnected community of impact makers.

Empowerment

We collaborate to unlock self-confidence, self-belief, and self-agency so our community can step into their power.

Acceptance

We strive to create an environment where we meet each other where we’re at, without judgment.

Access

We work together to reduce the systematic barriers to endless opportunities.

Founder’s Story

Hello! I’m Christina Wong, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Employ to Empower. Growing up in Chinatown, I was curious on why people were sleeping on the streets and I had a home. As a child who always asked questions, I never got answers from my teachers or parents, so at the age of 14, I started volunteering in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to find my own answers.

Throughout getting involved in the DTES community for the past 18 years, I quickly learned that people have strengths and simply need an opportunity over a handout to unlock their full potential. When I learned this, I quit my corporate job and Employ to Empower was born in 2018.