In a world where one in three Canadians will experience mental illness in their lifetime, navigating the complexities of mental health and addiction can be daunting. Rise, founded in 2010, has emerged as a transformative force, redefining the narrative and empowering individuals facing these challenges through entrepreneurship.
The landscape of mental health and addiction is marked by significant hurdles. Nearly 35% of individuals report moderate-to-severe mental health concerns, and an estimated 21% of Canadians may confront addiction during their lifetime. The profound challenges faced by those navigating mental illness and addiction, including stigma, discrimination, and a lack of available services, act as formidable barriers to their full workforce participation, hindering economic inclusion, perpetuating isolation and impeding meaningful integration into communities.
For many, the quest for resources, education, and support is an uphill battle. Rise, however, stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing that small business ownership can improve financial well-being, elevate self-esteem, inspire optimism and hope, and foster independence.
Lori Smith, CEO of Rise, states, "It’s our mission to empower individuals with mental health and addiction challenges through entrepreneurship. To those who experience barriers to traditional employment, we offer a powerful alternative: self-employment. Through low-interest loans, no-cost training programs, mentorship, and other custom supports, we help people develop the skills and access the capital to build a business that can transform their lives.”
The traditional workforce has long grappled with accommodating individuals with mental health or addiction histories, perpetuating stigma and inadequacies in support. Rise challenges this narrative by presenting entrepreneurship as a liberating alternative. Guided by values of care, empowerment, and inclusion, Rise adopts a holistic view of its clients, recognizing the uniqueness of each person's journey. As a character-based lender, it treats each applicant as a complete individual, not just a credit score. Whether one experiences anxiety, sparse work history, or discrimination as a result of their mental health, Rise offers a range of programs to help individuals learn business basics, shape their work environment and define success on their terms.
The Small Business Lending Program provides low-interest loans, one-on-one mentorship, and other custom support to sales-ready entrepreneurs unable to secure traditional financing. The Peer Supported Startup Program and Youth Small Business Program provide tailored training and resources to help new entrepreneurs write actionable business plans with the support of their peers, Rise volunteer mentors and program facilitators.
For those in the earliest stages of business, the Rise Idea Generator and EnterpRISEing You offer self-directed online learning to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop their ideas and lay the foundation for their next steps.
Additionally, in early 2023, Rise launched the Women+ Entrepreneurship Program. Funded by the Government of Canada through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, this program takes a trauma-informed, inclusive and feminist approach to entrepreneurship, creating a safe space for diverse women, trans women, and non-binary individuals to build the skills and confidence to pursue self-employment. It is also the organization’s first bilingual program, helping it reach even more individuals across linguistic divides.
Rise’s journey from a Toronto-based in-person organization to a national force is marked by key milestones. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of virtual programs has played a key role in Rise’s expansion, enabling it to engage clients in every province. Similarly, since the pandemic, program demand has surged. Between 2022 and 2023, the organization experienced a 37% increase in applications to its Small Business Lending Program. In response, it disbursed more than 100 loans, totalling $450,000. In October 2023, Rise disbursed its 800th all-time loan, pushing the total value of its loans since inception over $3.3 million—further milestones that testify to its enduring impact.
While Rise celebrates organizational achievements, its primary focus is on translating these victories into client success. Client surveys reveal the multifaceted impact of Rise supports on clients’ personal and professional lives. For example, four out of five Rise clients are still in business after receiving a loan, showcasing their resilience as entrepreneurs. However, client success extends beyond traditional business metrics. Entrepreneurship is a vehicle for individuals to take control of their lives, boost their confidence, and redefine success. Rise's approach is validated by 75% of clients feeling more confident about taking on new challenges and 74% feeling that their contributions are valued by others. The positive impact is cumulative, as demonstrated by increased clients reporting improved ability to handle stress (+19%) and greater leadership confidence (+11%) when comparing 2021 and 2023 survey results.
Rise’s impact in clients’ lives is most evident in the success stories of those benefiting from its initiatives. The annual Rotman Family Entrepreneurship Awards honor exceptional client success, showcasing diverse businesses and journeys supported by Rise. This year’s recipients include Port Alberni’s Sylvain Rollin, Kelowna’s James Summers-Gill, and Gloria Averbach, a Rise volunteer based on Vancouver Island. Myriad other success stories, such as that of Heidi Nagtegaal, exemplify the transformative power of entrepreneurship in overcoming mental health challenges.
This impact is made possible through a community of donors and partners across Canada. Grants from organizations such as the Nicola Wealth, Nicola Gives Back Charitable Committee, and associated sources have contributed significantly to Rise's national presence. Nicola Wealth's support extends beyond financial contributions, serving as a connection to Canada's corporate and philanthropic community.
As Rise continues to evolve, it remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges through entrepreneurship. The organization's impact goes beyond financial assistance to foster resilience, confidence, and independence in its clients. With ongoing programs, success stories, and strategic partnerships, Rise is carving a unique path toward a more inclusive and empowering future for those often marginalized and underserved by traditional systems.
