Introduction

Unisphere Canada (UC) is a not-for-profit organization. Our primary goal is to facilitate economic opportunities and promote income generation through entrepreneurship and innovation. Our efforts will be focused towards vulnerable groups of Ontario residents who are in proportionately excluded from the mainstream economy.

There is a misconception that being impoverished equates to being uneducated, inexperienced and having nothing of value to offer. At Unisphere, we see their potential and build on their experiences gained directly in these communities and the strengths this provides. Nobody knows best what type of business or service will do well in a specific community better than those who live, work and raise their families’ there. We will support their dreams to become economically empowered through the establishment of new community owned and operated businesses- businesses whose benefits will be far reaching beyond the individual.

We are a volunteer-based organization with diverse backgrounds: from business leaders, marketing experts, local and international development experts, community economic development leaders at the local, national and international levels Our goals are lofty, but we believe attainable: poverty reduction, capacity building and more.

In essence, we are passionate about building welcoming and resilient communities that are effectively addressing the issues of poverty and inequality at a grassroots level.

UC strongly believes in action and seeks to transform communities across Ontario and Canada, making them more self-sufficient through sustainable entrepreneurship and innovative programs.

UC is determined to empower the community members to bring about change by providing support to their future entrepreneurs enabling them to make an impact on the oppressive cycle of poverty in which they currently reside.

UC believes strongly that if we find practical and innovative ways to empower these low-income people to lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty, then the payback to themselves, their communities and society as a whole will be significant.

We know that if we continue to strive to support the base of people who are struggling to earn enough money and often have to decide between keeping the lights on or feeding their kids, that with all of the resources we have at our disposal we will be able to make the change we see as so critical to our communities- again, with all of this benefiting the individual, their community and society.

UC works with partner organizations. We believe that together we can bring a positive impact and contribute to creating a world closer to breaking the cycle of poverty and economic inequality/injustice. Our work will help create a more fair world that truly respects the basic rights of all human beings, not just those considered to be higher economic status.

We believe that together, we can bring change and the change we hope to achieve is to contribute to creating a fair world, free of poverty and injustice. A fair world that respects the basic rights of all human beings.

What We Do

UC is working with individuals and groups who are seeking advice and technical support to start or develop a small business. We are also working with partner organizations to connect these entrepreneurs with small no-interest business loans, as well as basic training and food handling certification.

In the coming year we are planning to establish our first Saving Box program. Savings Box will be a community-led business loan program geared towards both individuals and groups. It will consist of three streams of program delivery tailored to the size of the start-up and each entrepreneur’s needs. Participants of UC Saving Box programs will also receive wrap around services, such as mentorship and coaching tailored to their unique objectives to further ensure they reach their goals.