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ONTARIO 🧑🔎👩 Ontario Helping More Women Build Skills and Get Jobs 💵

Friday, 10 November 2023 12:00.PM

- Toronto among 10 new locations for Investing in Women’s Futures program -

The Ontario government is expanding the Investing in Women’s Futures program to 10 additional locations across the province, including Up with Women in Toronto. This will help more women 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 bilingual Investing in Women’s Futures program location in Toronto, more survivors of gender-based violence will have access to the employment readiness and wraparound supports they need to increase their participation in the workforce and provide for themselves and their children,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity. “Our government is empowering women to achieve the success they deserve – 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 Toronto, the Investing in Women’s Futures program will be delivered by Up with Women through an investment of $325,000 over three years. The organization will provide services in French and English, such as therapeutic counselling services for women and gender-diverse individuals who are survivors of gender-based violence and homelessness. Services will also include workshops on financial wellness and employment readiness, one-on-one coaching, and peer support groups to reduce social isolation and build connections.

“Thanks to Investing in Women’s Futures, we are able to build our capacity to keep up with demand for service and reach more clients where they live, including from the regions of Halton, York and Durham,” said Lia Grimanis, CEO of Up With Women. “This will help eliminate barriers and ensure more Ontario women and gender diverse individuals will get the service they need to build a sustainable pathway out of poverty.”

“Launching this bilingual Investing in Women’s Futures program in Toronto provides survivors of gender-based violence with essential employment support and services in French as well as English,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. “With this initiative, we empower survivors to join the workforce and secure financial independence. Our commitment is clear: when women thrive, Ontario thrives."

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.

SOURCE: Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

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