Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Trauma Through the EMPOW3R Program

Some of the most meaningful certifications we help provide aren't purchased individually online — they're earned as part of a larger journey toward healing and financial independence.

Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, in partnership with VEEES, runs EMPOW3R — a free, fully online employment program for adults who have experienced violence, abuse, or trauma and are working toward meaningful employment. Over 6 to 8 weeks, participants work through topics like recognizing and overcoming the impact of abuse, health and wellness, workplace leadership, and job search skills, alongside a cohort of peers who often become a support network for one another.

At the end of the program, participants walk away with several certifications at once — including an Early Childhood Education Assistant (ECE-A) certificate, an Emergency First Aid certificate, and the Responsible Adult (Childcare Settings Course) certificate. We've been proud to support EMPOW3R participants with this certification in the past, and we're looking forward to continuing to work together as the program grows. From there, EMPOW3R supports participants through four weeks of paid work experience placement, along with financial assistance, training allowances, and referrals to community and WorkBC resources.

Participants have described real shifts as a result of the program — renewed confidence, improved English, new job leads, and a sense of being genuinely supported through a difficult chapter. For many, this isn't just a path to a childcare job. It's a structured, supported step toward rebuilding.