Organizational Information:

EMBERS (Eastside Movement for Business & Economic Renewal Society) is a charitable non-profit that assists in the revitalization of Vancouver's inner city by facilitating community-based business development. EMBERS provides business services and training support services to assist individuals with limited resources from Vancouver's Eastside to start their own micro-enterprises. EMBERS provides ongoing coaching and hands-on support to micro-enterprise clients for up to 3 years.

Program Description
At EMBERS the following services are offered:

Capital Acquisition and $avings Help (CA$H Plan) - A matched savings program where a participant's savings toward a business are matched 3 to 1;
Business training courses 3 times a year aimed at giving people skills and tools to plan and operate their business;
One to one business coaching to help clients prepare business plans, loan applications, as well as, launch, market and operate their businesses successfully;
Financial literacy classes - participants reflect on their personal relationship with money and develop money management skills in, personal budgeting, building credit history, and dealing with debt;
Mentorships - volunteer business professionals are matched to clients to help them become more successful in their business;
Business support services - phone, computer, bookkeeping, mail.

The EMBERS program goals are to:

Empower people to turn their talents into self-owned small businesses;
Help revitalize Vancouver's inner city by assisting people to become self sufficient owners of their own micro-enterprise;
Provide accessible, low cost business training and support to individuals, no matter their situation or background.

Target Participants

EMBERS targets under-resourced entrepreneurs living and/or working in Vancouver's Eastside and Inner City. EMBERS is the only self-employment training program in Vancouver that is accessible and affordable to people regardless of education or employment history. Typical clients include:

Part-time and working poor who can't risk leaving their job to start a business;
New immigrants;
People with disabilities or on other forms of assistance;
Single parents that have been out of the workforce;
Existing micro-businesses that want to grow or recover from early setbacks.

Program Contact Information

Marcia Nozick
Phone: (604) 692 -0781
Email:marcia@dtes.ca
Website: www.embersvancouver.com

This website was produced with CEDTAP, Vancity, Bell Canada, and the Royal Bank of Canada.