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Kruger paper products of Scotties, Purex, Cashmere and Sponge Towels arrange in a line against a red background with the text "Newcomer to Canada? Welcome!"
October 22, 2025

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  
October 20, 2025

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.

October 20, 2025

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.

October 20, 2025

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.

October 20, 2025

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.

achev toronto pearson uplift fund
June 5, 2025

Toronto Pearson is awarding $1.57 million through its Uplift fund to 11 organizations dedicated to supporting workforce development and expanding the construction skilled trades in communities surrounding the airport. The airport is also committing to broadening its focus to include organizations and jobseekers across the entire Pearson Economic Zone over the next three years. 

This investment will provide more than 2,000 local residents with job placements, training, and career coaching in communities around Toronto Pearson, including Brampton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke.

Through the Workforce Development Stream, Achēv is to receive funding for our Job Action Club program, which helps low-income residents in Brampton and Mississauga overcome unemployment through job coaching, skills training, and job search support. 

“Toronto Pearson understands the importance of investing in our community as we move forward with bold plans to build the airport of the future,” said Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson. “The Uplift Fund is just one way we’re supporting inclusive economic growth and helping to build a skilled, diverse workforce that reflects the needs of our region. We are committed to opening doors, removing barriers, and creating long-term opportunity for people who live and work within our community.” 

The Uplift fund, part of the Propeller Project, has now contributed more than $5 million in community funding over the past five years. Since 2018, Toronto Pearson’s Uplift Fund has been investing and collaborating in programming, advocacy, and research to support local residents in gaining the skills, connections and opportunities needed to be meaningfully employed. 

Achevment Awards Post-Event
May 21, 2025

We were thrilled to host our third annual 2025 Achēvment Awards on May 14! The Achēvment Awards celebrated the power of collaboration between our partners, clients, and the communities we serve. Y Media covered the event and here are the highlights:

Congratulations again to our 2025 Achēvment Award winners:

  • Welcome Centre Immigrant Services – Community Partner Award Winner
  • AAS Canada – Employer Partner Award Winner
  • Blue Branch – Service Delivery Partner Award Winner
  • Ahmed Mumtaz – Client Award Winner
Food Basics Newcomer Welcome Kit
May 21, 2025

Achēv in partnership with Food Basics launches the Newcomer Welcome Kit Program to help newcomers feel at home by providing familiar foods, valuable savings, and a hassle-free shopping experience. 

By providing welcome kits, Food Basics’ aim is to ease the stress of food shopping, helping newcomers find familiar foods and navigate their new environment with confidence. 

The Welcome Kit – What’s Inside? 

  • Five Non-Perishable Essentials: 
  • Parle G 300 g Cookies 
  • Tata Salt 650 g 
  • National Seekh Kebab Spice 
  • Divya Roasted Chana 
  • Bhikharam Chandmal Navaratan Mix 
  • One (1) Informational pamphlet (with four coupons included)  
  • One (1) Moi card – free rewards card that helps you collect points  

All coupons are valid at the following locations, until July 31, 2025:  

  • All store locations across Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa and the following London, Ontario locations: 509 Commissioners Rd W, 1401 Ernest Ave, 1299 Oxford St E, 1225 Wonderland Rd N.  

View the coupon redemption process here. 

Collect your kit by speaking to our staff at our Mississauga location (while supplies last): 

  • 50 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Suite 300, Mississauga, L5B 3C2 
achevment awards
May 14, 2025

Achēv is celebrating its third annual Achēvment Awards at a breakfast event this morning in Mississauga.

Achēv is a leading charity and non-profit provider of employment, language and newcomer settlement services in the GTA. The Achēvment Awards recognize a client who has the courage to overcome barriers and fulfill their dreams and organizations that embrace collaboration to grow our economy and help our communities thrive.

“The Achēvment awards celebrate the power of collaboration between our partners, clients, and the communities we serve,” said Achēv CEO Tonie Chaltas. “Our partners make it possible for our team to do the work we do every day, and together, we are helping to put over 100,000 people each year on a faster path to prosperity.”

Recipients of the 2025 Achēvment Awards are: 

Ahmed Mumtaz – Client Award Winner

Ahmed came to Canada to build a new life. Despite having great credentials and a top education, he struggled to break into the Canadian job market. After searching for employment in his field for eight months, Ahmed turned to Achēv for help. While working with Achēv, Ahmed embraced every opportunity to build his network and market his skills. After six weeks of working with Achēv, he landed a great role in his field. Watch Ahmed’s story here.

AAS Canada – Employer Partner Award Winner

AAS is committed to creating meaningful career paths for its employees. Many Achēv clients join AAS at the entry-level, and the training and work experience they receive enables them to advance within the organization and assume managerial roles. This is an incredible career opportunity for our clients and has allowed AAS to get the qualified candidates that they need to continue to build and support their business. 

Welcome Centre Immigrant Services – Community Partner Award Winner

For over 13 years, the Welcome Centres in York, Durham and Simcoe have welcomed Achēv language services into their shared services hub. The key to our long collaboration is a shared commitment to provide complimentary services that break down silos, enhance the client experience and ensure efficient service delivery.

Blue Branch – Service Delivery Partner Award Winner

The Blue Branch team embodies Achēv’s commitment to creating faster paths to prosperity. This award honours their commitment to bring together the best people and the right organizations to help individuals overcome challenges and thrive.  Together Achev and Blue Branch have partnered on Government funded programs and services that get Ontarians upskilled and working.

Award Recipient Quotes:

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Achēv on this important work. Together, we’re helping young people and internationally educated healthcare professionals find meaningful careers in communities where their skills are urgently needed. This award is a reflection of what collaboration can do—when nonprofits, for-profits, and government work together with purpose, we don’t just fill jobs, we change lives. We look forward to continuing this work alongside Achēv as we build stronger futures across Ontario and set a model for the rest of Canada.”

— Todd Clyde, CEO, Blue Branch

“Achēv has proven to be a remarkable partner for AAS Canada. Their prompt engagement and careful consideration in identifying and presenting candidates have made a significant difference in our recruitment process. The skilled Employer Liaisons have exceeded expectations by identifying outstanding talent and demonstrating a deep understanding of our organizational requirements. As AAS Canada continues to expand, we look forward to further collaboration that will yield positive outcomes for the Toronto Pearson Community.”

— Ximena Bustillos, HR Manager, AAS Canada

“As a true friend, Achēv has been instrumental in supporting me through ‘3 Hs’ of my life: Honoring my past, harnessing my present and hoping for a progressive future which set me up for great strides in my professional, personal and social life in Canada.”

— Ahmed Mumtaz, Achēv Client

“The York Region Welcome Centres are delighted to be the recipient of Achēv’s Community Partner Award. Over the past decade, the Welcome Centre has partnered with Achēv creating a collaboration that is more than just a working relationship; it’s a shared commitment to building faster, more inclusive paths to prosperity for the people and communities we serve. Through our joint efforts, we have been able to accelerate access to resources, opportunities, and support systems that help newcomers not only meet their immediate needs but also achieve long-term goals. This has been especially powerful for individuals and families who are navigating the complexities of a new country while striving to build a better future. We look forward to continuing this relationship by creating new milestones and helping to transform the lives of the people we serve.”

— Tim McLinden, Manager, Welcome Centre Immigrant Services, Newmarket

ABOUT: 

Achēv is a leading charity and non-profit provider of employment, language and newcomer settlement services in the GTA. Each year, we put more than 100,000 clients on a faster path to prosperity by making it easier for them to access the services they need – when and where they want them.  

We offer over 50 employment, settlement and language programs and services with specialized support for women, youth and businesses at 8 GTA locations.  

Learn about our impact at Achēv.ca

 

financial barriers newcomer women
November 26, 2024

Achēv was proud to partner with Credit Canada for their 2024 Financial Literacy Month campaign. Our CEO Tonie Chaltas was a guest on the “Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery” podcast.

Newcomers already face challenges when settling in a new country. Newcomer women, in particular, encounter not only typical settlement obstacles but also additional financial barriers unique to their experiences as women. In the podcast episode, Tonie speaks with Credit Canada CEO Bruce Sellery about:

  • The unique financial barriers faced by newcomer women
  • The impact of cultural differences on these financial challenges
  • Free community resources available through Achēv to help overcome these issues

We invite you to watch her segment on the podcast below: