TOES Niagara

What TOES Niagara does

TOES Niagara (Tools of Empowerment for Success) is a Canadian non-profit organization headquartered in Welland, Ontario, serving the Niagara Region. Founded in the mid-2010s, it delivers trauma-informed, culturally responsive educational programs and support services targeted at immigrant and racially marginalized women and their families. Its program portfolio includes the SistersCAN social mentoring initiative for newcomer women, a culturally focused mentorship program for Black children and youth aged 9-25, The Green Room mental wellness sanctuary, The MOVE youth health promotion program, Invest In You financial literacy training, Institutional Capacity Enhancement training for external organizations, the annual ABEAN Black History Month fundraiser supporting the Wilma Morrison Scholarship Fund, and — most prominently since its 2024 launch — The Code of Conduct for Human Trafficking Prevention in the Niagara Region, developed in partnership with Brock University with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada.

The organization operates a multi-pillar programming framework (Economic Development, Leadership Development, Education for Sustainable Development, Personal Development, Social Development) and delivers services free of charge to beneficiaries. Its underlying "technology" is a programmatic and curriculum-based stack rather than a software product: structured workshops, mentorship modules, an Afrocentric 7-module life-skills curriculum, and policy frameworks co-developed with academic and institutional partners. Distribution is community-led and regional, relying on direct program delivery, community partnerships (Brock University, Niagara Region Public Health, YWCA, CMHA, Victim Services Niagara, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce), and a steering committee that includes law enforcement, municipal government, hospitality industry, and women's services representation.

The revenue model is exclusively non-commercial: government grants (federal WAGE, provincial Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, regional NRPH), foundation grants (Niagara Community Foundation), and donations/fundraising proceeds from events such as ABEAN. Programs are provided at no cost. The organization employs 1-10 staff supplemented by board members and volunteers, and entered a new strategic phase in April 2026 focused on research, policy reform, and systems advocacy after nearly a decade of community-based programming.

Name

TOES Niagara

Legal name

Tools of Empowerment for Success (TOES Niagara)

Website

https://toesniagara.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TOES Niagara is a Welland, Ontario-based non-profit delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive educational programs, mentorship, and advocacy services for immigrant and racially marginalized women and their families across the Niagara Region, funded by government and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Youth mentorship programs
• Anti-human trafficking training
• Immigrant support services
• Cultural competency training

Headquarters

HQ city

Welland

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Primary revenue from government programs including WAGE (Women and Gender Equality), Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and Niagara Region Public Health funding for specific programs.
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from organizations such as Niagara Community Foundation to support mentorship and youth programs.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Proceeds from events such as ABEAN Black History Month fundraiser support the Wilma Morrison Scholarship Fund.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TOES Niagara delivers trauma-informed, client-centred, and culturally responsive educational programs and support services for immigrant and racially marginalized women and their families in the Niagara Region. Core offerings include mentorship for Black youth, the SistersCAN newcomer mentoring program, The MOVE youth health promotion, The Green Room mental wellness sanctuary, Invest In You financial education, the Code of Conduct for Human Trafficking Prevention, and Institutional Capacity Enhancement training for organizations.

Product overview

TOES Niagara operates as a community-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of social programs rather than a unified technology product. The organization provides eight distinct programs addressing empowerment, mentorship, health, and advocacy: The Code of Conduct for Human Trafficking Prevention (a training and certification framework for hospitality/tourism sectors), Institutional Capacity Enhancement (organizational training), The Green Room (mental wellness sanctuary), the Mentorship Program (culturally focused youth development), SistersCAN (newcomer integration support), Invest In You (financial literacy), The MOVE (youth health promotion), and ABEAN Awards (Black excellence recognition). Programs are delivered through workshops, community sessions, and one-on-one mentoring rather than through software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Code of Conduct for Human Trafficking Prevention in the Niagara Region A proactive framework for hospitality and tourism sectors to prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations, grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive principles. Businesses sign on as signatories and receive training, resources, and referral pathway protocols.
• Institutional Capacity Enhancement (ICE) Supports organizations in transformative development by integrating trauma-informed and decolonial approaches, offering workshops, Gender-Based Analysis (GBA), and culturally responsive service delivery training for non-profits, public agencies, and community organizations.
• The Green Room A safe sanctuary space for women to decompress, reflect, and access mental health resources and culturally responsive support services, addressing mental health disparities and emotional well-being.
• Mentorship Program ('What they see is what they will be!') A culturally focused mentorship initiative for Black children and youth aged 9-25 featuring a 7-module life-skills curriculum covering identity, civic engagement, leadership, financial literacy, and mental well-being through an Afrocentric framework. Funded by Niagara Community Foundation.
• SistersCAN A social mentoring initiative pairing newcomer women with Canadian sisters to provide cross-cultural support, language skills development, and help with cultural integration. Funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.
• Invest In You Financial education program for mentorship students and families covering earning, budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, insurance, risk, and behavioral economics to advance economic empowerment.
• The MOVE A health promotion initiative empowering Niagara youth by highlighting the connection between physical activity and mental well-being, co-designed by youth and Young Adult Peer Leaders. Funded by Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services.
• ABEAN Awards (Advocating for Black Excellence Awards of Niagara) Annual Black History Month celebration recognizing Black men and women who demonstrate excellence and advocate for Black excellence in the Niagara community; proceeds support the Wilma Morrison Scholarship Fund.
• Wilma Morrison Scholarship Fund Scholarship awarded to students enrolled in higher learning institutions demonstrating academic achievement, community involvement, leadership skills, and financial need, funded through ABEAN Awards proceeds.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700% increase in victims/survivors identified (48 total) in human trafficking prevention initiative between 2023-2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Niagara Regional CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025Officially endorsed The Code of Conduct for Human Trafficking Prevention on June 26, 2025. All municipalities across the region will be encouraged to adopt the Code.
• Brock UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2024Primary academic partner collaborating on The Code of Conduct for Human Trafficking Prevention initiative. Brock University provides research expertise, continuing education capacity, and professional development through their Professional and Continuing Studies program. Emily Moore serves as Research Assistant supporting The Code project.
• Greater Niagara Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2024Corrina Massicotte from GNCC serves as Chair of the Steering Committee for The Code of Conduct. Chamber supports business engagement and signatory recruitment.
• Niagara Regional Police ServicesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2024Detective Constable Trevor Janisse and Detective Sergeant Tara Ryan serve on the Steering Committee, providing law enforcement perspective on human trafficking prevention.
• Destination Niagara FallssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoyce Morocco serves as Vice Chair of the Steering Committee, bringing hospitality and tourism industry expertise.
• YWCA Niagara RegionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerElisabeth Zimmermann represents YWCA on the Steering Committee, providing expertise in women's services and advocacy.
• Victim Services NiagarasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTarryn Anderson serves on the Steering Committee, providing victim services perspective and referral pathway expertise.
• FireStarter I.D.E.A.S. LTDsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSharon Njobo serves as GBA Consultant on the Steering Committee, providing gender-based analysis expertise.
• Canadian Mental Health AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTara McKendrick represents CMHA on the Steering Committee, providing mental health expertise.
• Various Signatory OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 20 municipalities, businesses, and organizations have signed The Code of Conduct including Niagara Region, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Lincoln, Pelham, Port Colborne, Rotary Club of St. Catharines, John Howard Society of Niagara, and others.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• COSTI Immigrant Services: One of Ontario's largest immigrant services organizations offering settlement, language training, employment, and newcomer support across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. Comparable in serving immigrant populations but operates at significantly larger scale and broader geography.
• Interval House (Toronto): Long-established women's shelter and counselling centre in Toronto providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and anti-violence services. Comparable in women-centered, trauma-informed service model and advocacy orientation.

Emerging players

• Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society: Calgary-based shelter and resource centre serving Indigenous women and their children fleeing family violence and homelessness. Comparable in delivering culturally responsive, women-centered services with advocacy and education components.
• Culture Link Settlement and Community Services: Toronto-based non-profit providing settlement, language, employment, and community integration services for newcomers, with a focus on vulnerable populations. Comparable newcomer integration model to SistersCAN.
• Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture: Toronto-based non-profit providing trauma-informed counseling, settlement support, and advocacy for refugees and survivors of torture. Comparable in trauma-informed, culturally responsive service delivery to marginalized immigrant populations.

Direct peers

• Victim Services Niagara: Provides immediate crisis response, emotional support, and referral services to victims of crime and trauma in the Niagara Region, including human trafficking referrals that TOES Niagara's Code initiative feeds. A direct operational peer in victim advocacy.
• YWCA Niagara Region: Regional women's services organization serving Niagara with shelter, advocacy, and newcomer support programs. Highly comparable to TOES Niagara in geography, target population (women and families), and women's empowerment focus; also serves as a steering committee partner.
• Welland Multicultural Centre: Multicultural and immigrant services organization based in Welland, Ontario, providing settlement, language, and community integration services to newcomers in the same geographic catchment as TOES Niagara.
• John Howard Society of Niagara: Regional social services non-profit providing reintegration, restorative justice, and community support programs in Niagara. Operates in overlapping geography and has signed The Code of Conduct alongside TOES Niagara.

Others

• Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI): Provincial umbrella organization representing immigrant-serving agencies across Ontario, providing policy advocacy, training, and resource coordination. Indirectly comparable as a peer in the same ecosystem TOES Niagara operates within for newcomer services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/toesniagara
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/TOES-Niagara/1430097903911988
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/toes-niagara
• Instagraminstagram.com/toesniagara/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TOES Niagara