ONTARIO NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Helping More Women in Mississauga Build Skills and Get Jobs

Mississauga Board of Trade
Mississauga Board of Trade

Published

July 18, 2023

Subscribe

Updates on new members, upcoming events, and the latest news.

"*" indicates required fields

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Helping More Women in Mississauga Build Skills and Get Jobs

Mississauga among 10 new Investing in Women’s Futures program locations

July 18, 2023

Children, Community and Social Services, Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity

 
MISSISSAUGAThe Ontario government is expanding the Investing in Women’s Futures program to 10 additional locations across the province, including Achēv in Mississauga. This will help more women who are experiencing social and economic barriers connect to supports and develop the skills they need to gain financial security and independence. This expansion is part of a $6.9 million investment over three years to enhance the program and create more economic opportunities for women.

“Through this new Investing in Women’s Futures program location in Mississauga, more survivors of gender-based violence will have access to the employment readiness and wraparound supports they need to increase their well-being and enter or re-enter the workforce,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. “Our government is helping women gain financial independence, because when women succeed, Ontario succeeds.”

The Investing in Women’s Futures program provides a range of services and employment supports to help women overcome any barriers, increase well-being, build skills and gain employment. The addition of 10 new sites brings the total number of service delivery locations to 33, providing greater access for more women across Ontario.

In Mississauga, the Investing in Women’s Futures program will be delivered by Achēv through an investment of $324,932 over three years. The organization will provide employment readiness programming, including digital literacy and workplace intercultural training, financial workshops, networking, mentorship, and one-on-one coaching, to survivors of gender-based violence. Achēv will also offer wraparound supports including counselling, safety planning, and legal rights workshops.

“This investment in the expansion of the Investing in Women’s Futures program is monumental for our community here in Mississauga Centre, and I want to thank Minister Williams for her advocacy and support of vital community partners such as Achēv, who play such an important role through the services they deliver,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga Centre. “Achēv promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are values inherent to our province, and I am truly grateful for all of their hard work and dedication to the women of our community.”

“Achēv is grateful for this investment which allows us to better serve women facing barriers in a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment,” said Tonie Chaltas, Chief Executive Officer, Achēv. “Our new RISE (Resilience, Independence, Support, Empower) program is more than just a program; it is a commitment to making a real and lasting difference in the lives of women who are confronted by the unfortunate realities of gender-based violence.”

This $6.9 million investment builds on the $18 million funding from 2022-2025 to support the Investing in Women’s Futures and Women’s Economic Security programs.

 

Quick facts

  • As a result of COVID-19, women and gender-diverse Ontarians have faced additional challenges, such as increased economic insecurity, greater burden of caregiving responsibilities and a rise in the incidence of domestic violence. Young women, mothers of young children, racialized women, single mothers, Indigenous women, immigrant women, women with disabilities and women without university degrees have been most affected.
  • In June 2021, the government launched Ontario’s Task Force on Women and the Economy to provide advice on addressing the unique and disproportionate economic barriers women face. Building on the work of the task force, the government is taking action to address the challenges women face in the workforce.
  • In 2022-23, the Investing in Women’s Futures program helped nearly 1,300 women across Ontario secure employment, start their own businesses or pursue further training and/or education.

Additional Resources

Media Contacts

Arpi Akelian
Minister’s Office
arpi.akelian@ontario.ca

Media Relations
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
media.mccss@ontario.ca

Scroll to Top