Opening Opportunities is a free community program for women and gender diverse people facing low-income challenges. The program is led by 10C Shared Space and the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition and supports entrepreneurship, employment and skill building through learning and community connecting.
Opening Opportunities supports a free entrepreneurship training program that provides self-paced learning and community connection for women and gender-diverse people exploring self-employment. You can learn more about the entrepreneurship training here.
Community Workshop Series
The Community Workshop series brings employment and entrepreneurship training into communities across Guelph and Wellington County. We offer a range of workshops in community spaces based on interest and demand from community members. Click the link below to receive updates about upcoming community workshops. A list of workshops currently offered is below.
Queer Financial Wellness Workshop Series
Dates: February 9, February 23, March 9, March 23 I 6:30PM – 8PM
Location: Out on the Shelf, 42 Carden St. Guelph ON
A supportive series designed to help 2SLGBTQIA+ community members build financial confidence and security. Through practical tools, interactive exercises, and community discussion, participants explore budgeting, income planning, saving, and navigating unique financial challenges in a judgment-free space that honours diverse experiences and identities.
Budgeting for Irregular or Precarious Income
February 9 I 6:30PM – 8PM
We’ll explore practical tools for planning when your income changes from month to month, and preparing for slow periods without shame or stress. You’ll learn simple strategies for prioritizing expenses, setting flexible financial goals, and building stability over time as your incomes shifts.
Funding Transition Related Healthcare Costs
February 23 I 6:30PM – 8PM
We’ll explore common expenses and break down what is and isn’t covered through public funding, private insurance, and community-based supports. You’ll learn practical strategies for planning ahead, finding financial assistance programs, advocating for coverage, and building a personalized savings or funding plan that fits your situation.
Queer Entrepreneurship and Side Hustles
March 9 I 6:30PM – 8PM
We’ll break down what it really takes to start a small business or new side project. You’ll learn how to spot opportunities that match your strengths, validate your idea before investing too much, and create simple systems that support your wellbeing. We’ll also talk about navigating barriers that queer entrepreneurs often face and how to tap into supportive networks and community resources.
Mutual Aid and Community Wealth Building
March 23 I 6:30PM – 8PM
We’ll unpack what mutual aid really means and how queer communities have historically organized to meet each other’s needs. You’ll learn practical models for sharing resources, redistributing wealth, and creating community-led financial supports. We’ll also explore how to start or strengthen a mutual aid project in your own community, at a scale that feels sustainable.
Opening Opportunities is a free community program for women and gender diverse people facing low-income challenges in Guelph and Wellington County. Learn more at: www.10carden.ca/projects/opening-opportunities/