The Ivey International Centre for Health Innovation and London-based community agencies are rising up to help people with mental health or addiction challenges launch their new business ventures.
The groups have launched Rise Asset Development (Rise) London, based on the Toronto program founded in 2009 by Sandra Rotman, wife of Western Chancellor Joseph Rotman.
The program provides mentoring and microfinancing for people with mental health or addiction challenges to launch or grow entrepreneurial ventures. Rise also expanded to Ottawa earlier this year.
“Meaningful employment is an important pillar in a person’s well-being and identity; however, people with mental health issues or addictions often face barriers to the traditional job market,” said Anne Snowdon, Chair, Ivey International Centre for Health Innovation, at a ceremony at Ivey announcing the program on October 17.
Toronto-based entrepreneur Hamid Razaghi knows firsthand what a difference the program makes. He launched his business, HBD Baby, two months ago thanks to support from Rise.
WOTCH provides community mental health services in London and is one of the groups collaborating with Ivey on the program. WOTCH Executive Director Don Seymour said many businesses like HBD Baby are succeeding because of programs like Rise. He revealed that his own brother became a successful business owner because a B.C. credit union took a risk and gave him a credit card.
In addition to WOTCH, Goodwill Industries, United Way London & Middlesex, Sisters of St. Joseph, London Small Business Centre, Emerging Leaders, MindYourMind and Youth Opportunities Unlimited are working with Ivey to design and roll out the program.