Opening Opportunities
A free community entrepreneurship program for women and gender diverse people facing low income challenges.
Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for change that can help you take control of your futures and make contributions to your community. Opening Opportunities is a free program from 10C Shared Space and the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition that supports entrepreneurship, employment and skill building for women facing low income challenges.
Who is Opening Opportunities for?
Opening Opportunities is for women and gender diverse people over 16 years of age who are facing low income challenges. Opening Opportunities will support you to learn more about self-employment and entrepreneurship. The program is not about competition – we will come together to share, learn, and grow.
How is the Program Delivered?
Opening Opportunities is a self-paced program. The program is delivered through online and in-person sessions at 10C and in neighbourhoods across Guelph. Program team members will guide you to find the learning opportunities and resources that meet your needs. The program is designed around 6 core elements.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Opening Opportunities is designed to specifically support women and gender diverse people who face low income challenges. Our Program Interest Form includes a few questions to check if you’re eligible, like asking about your income and household details. Once you’ve filled it out, we’ll be in touch to confirm your eligibility.
In order to prioritize people facing low income, the program uses income criteria based on household size. Program team members will use discretion when determining eligibility.
Program Interest Form
Program intake will open in mid-November 2024 and will remain open for the duration of the program – ending in spring 2027. You can complete the Program Interest Form anytime. We will review these forms as they are received and let you know if you are eligible and inform you of upcoming program start dates. We will work to respond to all program interest inquiries within 2 weeks. If you have any question, please contact us opening@10carden.ca.
Program Delivery
The program is fully customizable and self-paced. From helping you to improve basic employment skills to developing and launching a successful small-business, the program is designed to support your goals. Once accepted to the program, you will be connected to a learning cohort providing a supportive network to improve your learning experience. You will also be connected to a program team members to help you navigate your unique path. We expect that most participants will complete the program within 6-9 months.
Program Pathways
Is Entrepreneurship for You?
Entrepreneurship is the act of starting, developing and growing a business. This can involve improving an existing service or product, envisioning a new audience for an existing product or introducing a unique product or service to the market. If you’re someone who is drawn to innovation, creativity, problem-solving and taking risks – entrepreneurship can be an exciting, challenging, and rewarding journey. Opening Opportunities centres on 10 core entrepreneurial skills.
Skill-building
Whether you are embarking on the self-employment path or are looking to ready yourself for the workforce, skill-building and practical trainings are essential components of the program.
This may look like workplace preparation (resume writing, interview skills, finances and budgeting, human rights and workplace health and safety), personal development (self-reflection, goal setting, work-life balance), storytelling and more.
We recognize that participants have diverse learning styles, and will offer a wide variety of instructional methods and programs.
Support to Succeed
Our approach is deeply rooted in inclusivity. We recognize the unique challenges faced by women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, with a range of challenging life circumstances and systemic barriers. The program will provide wrap-around supports such as childcare, transportation, and access to local community service providers, to begin to reduce some of the barriers that may stand in the way of your participation. Throughout the program, 10C will foster and build a network of people, places, and partnerships that will support participants to continue their success beyond the program. As we get to know you, we will learn more about the supports that will be most helpful to you as you navigate the program.
Partners & Funders
10C Shared Space
Opening Opportunities is led by 10C. At 10C Shared Space, we are driven by the desire to create a more inclusive and equitable future. Our mission is to build the social infrastructure that allows individuals and communities to thrive. Opening Opportunities is a direct reflection of this commitment—designed to foster entrepreneurship and economic security for those who need it most. 10C will develop and curate content across a range of themes and serve as the main learning hub, supporting virtual and in-person learning.
Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition (GNSC)
As a main program partner, Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition will support and drive outreach and engagement activities for Opening Opportunities. Their various community embedded program sites will act as a “welcoming front doors” in neighbourhoods across Guelph. GNSC will also lead the delivery of location-based services like resume-writing workshops and basic budgeting, aimed at reducing barriers and increasing awareness of the broader program. GNSC is a community liaison, connecting interested people to the program fostering safe, supportive relationships that prioritize participants’ needs.
Government of Ontario
Opening Opportunities is funded in part by the Government of Ontario. To learn more about the Ontario’s Women’s Economic Security Program click here.
