Our Impact
Our Core Programs
We offer low-interest loans, coaching and education through our Small Business Accelerator program to help emerging entrepreneurs launch their business.
Our free workshop series equips newcomer women with the tools they need to build a profitable business—and economic independence.
We help educated newcomers re-launch their careers, creating a better future for them—and the Canadians who will benefit from their services.
Client Results: 2015-2020
160 CLIENTS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $843,216 IN
LOANS
supporting small business entrepreneurship, foreign credential recognition and professional development.
44%
helped newcomers upgrade their credentials to work in Canada
43%
helped people launch their business idea
13%
provided opportunities to train for a new career
85%
on average, have paid their
first loan in full without
defaulting.
80%
of business clients surveyed
were able to achieve what
they wanted to for their
businesses.
5%
who paid off their first loan,
re-applied for a second loan
to expand their businesses.
More than 100 WOMEN
learned how to create
business plans and to pitch
their ideas in our WBA
workshops.
Women in our WBA program have gone on to launch businesses in public relations, food services, retail and more.
“I just want to tell you that the WBA program did improve overall my business value. I’ve been connecting with a bunch of agencies who want to adopt my service to their services or products and I’ve been feeling more confident presenting it. I’m hoping to help small businesses and communities, and one day I get to volunteer at ACCESS 
What you do at Access will result in producing many successful entrepreneurs!”
I didn’t have a credit history, but even with no outstanding debts, I couldn’t get funds from the banks.
Christon Taylor, The Right Movers
Their loan was a real jumpstart. It gave me the confidence
to take this next step.
Khadijah Haliru, K Body Blends
ACCESS was very supportive. They offered a lot of guidance, and they put me in touch with other agencies who could help me out.
Monina Navarrete, Lil Hearts
Daycare
Our loans improve lives
A few of the industries our clients specialize in include:
Jewellery
Travel
Clothing and accessories
Pet toys
Experiential marketing
Law
Caribbean food
Cosmetics
Bicycles
93%
reported a positive impact
on their well-being, reduced
stress and increase in
motivation
86%
said their business
knowledge had increased and 66% improved their
knowledge and ability to
manage their personal
finances.
80%
were able to achieve what they wanted for their businesses through planning, coaching support and financial backing.
84%
of our current clients identify as racialized.
58%
of our business clients were
born outside of Canada.
More than half of our clients immigrated to Canada
spanning 23 countries around the world, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe
Eleven clients currently employ over 50 people
“Over the past year and a half I have employed approximately 25 families, and it’s a great feeling.”
Yashelle Jackson, Owner of 416 Guards
We create financial inclusion
OVER 90%
of our revenue goes towards serving our clients
80%
of our clients are living in poverty or at risk of falling into poverty based on CRA’s low-income indicators
40%
would not have been able to start or continue their
business without their ACCESS loan
We’re powered by people who care
Our volunteers speak a combined 24 languages
such as Arabic, Hindi, Mandarin, Swahili and Urdu.
More than 139 clients
have been matched with a business coach
We have over 100 volunteers
providing coaching, loan reviews, admin support and more.
Top industries our volunteers represent are:
Financial: 52%
Business Services: 19%
IT Services: 16%