On Friday, January 16, 2026, Achēv and the Future Ready Initiative at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto welcomed community partners, government representatives, and local leaders to celebrate the successful launch of a new itinerant Employment Ontario service model. The event marked an important milestone in expanding accessible, community‑based employment supports for residents in the Don Mills area.

“We’re opening doors to good-paying, in-demand careers by breaking down barriers and helping more people gain the confidence, training and skills they need to build Ontario’s future,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By bringing services directly into the community and working alongside partners like Achēv and the Future Ready Initiative, we’re protecting Ontario workers and making it easier for them to access the supports they need to connect with real opportunities in a growing economy.”

Remarks were brought on behalf of Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship & Multiculturalism, the Honourable Graham McGregor, and local representatives MP Rob Oliphant & MPP Dr. Adil Shamji addressed attendees. Over 50 guests – including community partners, staff, clients, and government officials – attended the celebration.

During the event, attendees learned how Achēv has begun delivering on‑site Employment Ontario services at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto. This flexible model allows job seekers to access employment counselling, job search support, and training pathways in a culturally welcoming and easily accessible environment. The approach is designed to reduce barriers, increase service reach, and ensure that community members can receive support where and when they need it.

“At Achev, we put job seekers and communities at the center of everything we do, creating partnerships that amplify impact,” said Natalie Renton, Achēv’s Senior Director of Programs and Services. “Our collaboration with the Future Ready Initiative reflects this shared commitment to helping individuals access meaningful employment and building thriving communities together.”

“This partnership demonstrates how community-based collaboration can improve access to essential employment and support services,” said Aleem Punja, Executive Director for the Future Ready Initiative, Ismaili Council for Canada. “By delivering coordinated services in trusted community spaces, we are reducing barriers, supporting economic participation, and strengthening outcomes for individuals, families, and the broader community.”

For over 30 years, Achēv has dedicated itself to helping newcomers and Canadians achieve their full potential. Achēv’s Employment Ontario services help job seekers explore career goals, identify training needs, and acquire job search and retention skills. These high-quality employment services are delivered through seven convenient employment centres across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, North York and Richmond Hill. Virtual employment services are also available through interactive video conferencing, webinars and e-learning modules. This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

The Future Ready Initiative (FRI) is a national agency of the Ismaili Council for Canada, focused on improving quality of life through integrated, community-based supports. FRI provides personalized family development planning, wrap-around case management, and livelihoods coaching and career services that support long-term economic and social well-being. Through partnerships with educational institutions and cross-sector organizations, FRI connects individuals and families to curated opportunities in education, skills development, and career advancement. Guided by the Ismaili Council for Canada and supported by a national network of volunteers and professionals, FRI works to empower individuals, strengthen families, and support communities to thrive across Canada.

We’re excited to share that Achēv has been featured in the Mississauga News! The article covers our recent win as a Diamond Winner for both Best Non-Profit and Employment Agency in the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards and highlights our employment services and comprehensive support to newcomers, women, and youth.

To read the full article in the Mississauga News, click here. Learn more about our services, click here.

On Wednesday, December 17, a representative of local MPP Natalia Kusendova-Bashta met with the team at Achēv to celebrate $196,100 in funding they received through two Capital grants from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). These investments from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation have enhanced Achēv’s Peel-Halton resource centres, improving access to technology and helping streamline client services.

“For many years, Achēv has done outstanding work in Mississauga and across the Regions of Peel and Halton, providing valuable services to new immigrants and Ontarians,” says Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga Centre. “It is profound to see how our government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation is enhancing Achēv’s service delivery and helping its clients open new doors to employment, language training, and more.”

The first grant, awarded in June 2025, provided $64,200 to replace outdated computers across Achēv’s five Peel-Halton client resource centres. The project delivered 50 new desktops and 12 laptops distributed across Brampton, Malton, Mississauga, and Oakville. These upgrades are helping clients pursue employment and learning goals with modern, reliable technology.

The second grant, awarded in June 2024, provided $131,900 to introduce user-friendly tablets and kiosks at Achēv’s five Peel-Halton service centres. This Omni-Channel project has helped streamline intake processes, allowing clients to independently register, sign in, and access services in multiple languages. The new system also improved inclusivity, privacy, and efficiency, while enabling real-time feedback to support continuous service improvement.

“These Ontario Trillium Foundation grants have allowed us to modernize our service delivery and better meet the needs of our diverse communities,” said Moya MacKinnon, Achev’s Senior Vice President of External Relations. “By upgrading technology and improving access, we are ensuring that newcomers and Canadians alike can achieve their goals with dignity and efficiency.”

For over 30 years, Achēv has dedicated itself to helping newcomers and Canadians achieve their full potential. Today, it is one of the largest providers of employment, settlement, language, women, youth, and technology solutions services in the GTA. Further information about Achēv’s programs and services can be found at achev.ca.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

We are thrilled to announce Achēv’s win at the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards in Mississauga and Brampton! 

Achēv has been named the Diamond Winner of the 2025 Mississauga News and 2025 Brampton Guardian Readers’ Choice Awards in the Best Non-Profit Agency and Best Employment Agency categories. 

This marks our fifth consecutive win in Mississauga and third in Brampton! This incredible achievement would not have been possible without our amazing staff and their hard work, commitment, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to creating faster paths to prosperity for our clients every day. 

Becoming the Diamond Winner, the highest ranked category, in both Mississauga and Brampton reflects our commitment to our clients, our efforts to make a positive difference in the diverse communities we serve, and recognition of our achievements throughout the year. 

The Readers’ Choice Awards recognizes local organizations for their achievements, and thousands of people from the community are encouraged to nominate and vote for their favourite businesses and/or professionals. 

Achēv is pleased to announce the distribution of care packages from Canada’s favourite household paper products brands* – Cashmere, SpongeTowels and Scotties, to support newcomers in the Peel and Halton Regions.  

These kits include a box of Scotties® tissues and a $5 redeemable coupon for other Kruger paper products, such as SpongeTowels® paper towels and Cashmere® bathroom tissue, designed to help newcomers settle comfortably into their new homes. 

Newcomers can pick up their kit at the following Achēv NIC locations (The packages are available for a limited time and while quantities last): 

• Brampton South – 7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 601, Brampton 
• Brampton East – 263 Queen Street East, Unit 14, Brampton 
• Malton – 7420 Airport Road, Suite 104, Mississauga  
• Mississauga – 50 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Suite 300, Mississauga 
• Oakville – 690 Dorval Drive, Suite 100, Oakville  

Job Action Club – Toronto (JAC-TO) is a two-year employment program launched in September 2025 to support low-income residents of Toronto on social assistance.

Funded in part through Scotiabank’s ScotiaRISE initiative, the program offers a two-week, in-person boot camp focused on job readiness, digital skills, mentorship, and comprehensive support. JAC-TO connects participants to coaching, online learning, and employer networks. Building on a successful pilot in Peel, JAC-TO addresses the specific challenges faced by equity-deserving groups, including racialized individuals, newcomers, women, and youth.

The program aims to build confidence, career resilience, and foster long-term employment, helping participants break the cycle of poverty and create brighter futures.

To learn more about the Job Action Club – Toronto program, please visit the programs page here.

Achēv’s “Empowering Newcomers for Entrepreneurship” is a multi-year initiative supported by TD (since 2022) that helps newcomers across the GTA achieve financial stability by starting their own businesses.

Participants complete a four-week self-employment assessment, followed by a nine-week Core Learning Program that provides training, coaching, peer support, and access to funders. The program equips newcomers with the skills and confidence necessary to establish sustainable businesses in Canada. By addressing financial vulnerability and employment barriers, the initiative empowers participants to transform their creativity and international experience into sustainable careers.

With a strong focus on inclusion and accessibility, TD employees also serve as mentors and financial literacy specialists, enhancing community impact and fostering collaboration.

To learn more about the Empowering Newcomers for Entrepreneurship program, please visit the programs page here.

Achēv’s Job Action Club – Peel (JAC) is a practical employment program that helps low-income residents of Peel, especially those on Ontario Works, overcome barriers to meaningful employment.

Through a two-week, cohort-based bootcamp, participants gain essential skills, personalized coaching, and access to over 4,000 online courses via the Skills Council of Canada. Wraparound supports, such as transportation, technology access, and mentorship, help build confidence and connect participants to the labour market. Supported by the GTAA’s Uplift Fund (since 2024) and strong community partnerships, JAC helps participants find stable employment, reduce their reliance on social assistance, and achieve financial independence.

To learn more about the Job Action Club program, please visit the programs page here.

Since 2020, Achēv has been receiving funding from RBC to deliver the Elevate Program.

This program is a dynamic initiative supporting racialized newcomer women in Canada who face barriers to employment. Delivered primarily online, the program provides digital and specialized skills training, mentorship, and career planning to help participants build confidence, expand their professional networks, and connect with meaningful opportunities. RBC employees are engaged and volunteer as mentors, guest speakers, panellists and subject matter experts.

The Elevate Program guides women through personalized learning journeys, helping them gain skills to support their transition into sustainable careers. Rooted in Achēv’s deep experience with newcomer communities, the program addresses systemic inequities and builds pathways to success through tailored support and strategic partnerships.

To learn more about the Elevate program, please visit the programs page here.