EMBERS (Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society)

EMBERS is a charity, operating since 2001, whose mission is to provide jobs, training, and support for people — one person, one job, one day at a time. We empower individuals to rebuild their lives through the power of work. Since 2001, we have provided a comprehensive array of job placements and support services that address the full employment continuum, from pre-employment to sustainable employment. We run three employment programs:

EMBERS Staffing is a non-profit temporary labour company owned and operated by EMBERS. EMBERS Staffing connects people facing employment barriers with transitional jobs, bridging them to full-time employment and helping them reintegrate into society. As a social enterprise, we invest 100% of profits back into the community in the form of worker support programs, higher hourly wages, free tool and equipment rentals and certified skills training opportunities. EMBERS Staffing has been recognized across Canada for its innovation, economic and social impact, including receiving the Governor General’s Innovation Award in 2020 and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Special Citation in 2022.

EMBERS Eastside Works in an income generation hub located in the Downtown Eastside. We work with multiple stakeholders in the community and within the government to develop new employment models, such as peer employment, that are focused on helping people facing multiple barriers, gain access to work and income.

EMBERS Training is our division dedicated to providing hard and soft skills training to people getting back into the workforce, helping them move forward in their careers and lives.