Partners & Supporters

The Hamilton Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton (CAS)

Since 1984, CAS has been committed to the safety, protection, and well-being of children and the strengthening of families, while valuing diversity and promoting equity. E2 and CAS have established a joint initiative to support newcomer and marginalized families, with a special focus on Black and racialized children and youth. The organizations are delivering programs at 26 Arrowsmith Road, the head office of CAS, including creating culturally aligned programs that will provide early help and intervention services to meet the needs of racialized families working with Hamilton CAS.

Cadillac Fairview (CF)

CF is a globally focused owner, operator, investor, and developer of best-in-class real estate across retail, office, residential, industrial and mixed-use asset classes. Continually striving to make a positive impact in communities where we operate by promoting social connection, growth, and a sustainable future, CF’s Purpose is Transforming Communities For A Vibrant Tomorrow. Hamilton’s CF Lime Ridge is a proud supporter and partner of the Empowerment Squared Scholarship and Award Program, the Annual Indoor Winter Walkathon, and Empowerment Squared’s annual gala.

Immigrants Working Centre (IWC)

IWC is a leader in providing settlement services in Hamilton, welcoming new Canadians and supporting their full social, civic, and economic participation in our city. For over 30 years, IWC has provided a broad range of settlement services to newcomers to Canada, delivering in-person and online services in 16 languages at four locations in Hamilton. E2 and IWC have worked together for the past several years. IWC provides programming space to Empowerment Squared in the Beasley neighbourhood, which helps support academic programming for youth in Grades K – 12.

McMaster University

McMaster University is ranked among the top 70 universities globally and, through cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, is focused on advancing human and societal health and well-being – locally, and around the world. As Canada’s most research-intensive university, McMaster works across disciplines to find creative solutions to complex problems, helping to improve people’s lives and build a brighter future for all. McMaster’s connections with E2 are myriad and span students, alumni, faculty, staff, departments, programs, and initiatives.

Tim Hortons Binbrook

Tim Hortons is a Canadian multinational fast food restaurant chain. Tim Hortons Inc was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton and Jim Charade. Tim Hortons serves coffee, doughnuts and other fast food items with 4,846 restaurants in 14 countries. Tim Hortons Binbrook is a franchise location owned by Kara Kennish that has proudly partnered with Empowerment Squared for the Smile Cookie campaign through the years of 2021-2024.

mcCallumSather

Joanne McCallum and Greg Sather founded architecture and planning firm mcCallumSather in 1996. Their portfolio includes an exciting mix of award-winning work throughout Southern Ontario, from heritage to new construction, and from small community initiatives to multi-million-dollar, one-of-a-kind projects. mcCallumSather are lead architects of the Liberian Learning Center, which will include Liberia’s first postwar comprehensive learning center and library, co-working and business incubation spaces, sports and recreation facilities, and event facilities.

Hamilton Public Library

The Hamilton Public Library (HPL) is an innovative Canadian library system with over 7 million items in circulation and 22 branches. They are proud to act as a liaison for the engagement of leaders in the industry from across the world and offer many convenient locations and hours. E2 and the HPL are collaborating on the development of a modern, responsive, and thoughtful library system at the Liberian Learning Center intended to evolve into a pan-Liberian library system. This relationship will also uniquely allow Liberians access to global digital resources. 

dpai

dpai architecture is a values-driven, award-winning, full-service architecture, interiors and urban design studio, taking a context-first approach to design. The firm was established in Hamilton in 2005 by founding principal and CEO David Premi, and is focused on urban renewal, sustainability and the strengthening of community through design excellence in the built environment. E2 and dpai have partnered to re-envision and design a multi-purpose,, culturally representative, youth friendly, and vibrant, sports and recreation facility at Empowerment Squared East (26 Arrowhead Drive, Hamilton).

The Other Bird

The Other Bird is a Hamilton-based hospitality group that offers diverse culinary experiences including chef-driven Rapscallion & Co., playful taco bar The Mule, and elegant-and-boutique Arlington Hotel in Paris, ON. They promise to pull you out of your comfort zone and into a world of flavour and decadence, but in an easygoing sort of way. Empowerment Squared and The Other Bird are the proud partners of the Chef Mentorship Program, a two-year apprenticeship program designed to increase the representation of BIPOC staff and leaders in the culinary industry.

Paynesville City Corporation

Paynesville City Corporation is a municipal corporation existing, functioning and operating under the law of the Republic of Liberia. Paynesville is a suburb east of Monrovia, Liberia and is expanding eastward along the Robertsfield Highway and northeastward beyond Red Light Market, one of the largest market areas in Liberia. Paynesville City Corporationis a dedicated partner in the development of the Liberian Learning Center and have provided the land for the Center to be built on, which is on the same plot as Paynesville City Hall, as well as a number of other project supports.

Tri Buchanan Development Corporation

Tri Buchanan Development Corporation is a Liberian-based company specializing in architecture, construction, project management and transportation logistics. Their local expertise and roots are strengthened by deep business relationships with American and other international partners. Collectively, their partners and leaders share over 100 years of experience in business and construction. Tri Buchanan Development Corporation is the construction lead of the Liberian Learning Center and are committed partners in the success of the project.

Rotary Club of Hamilton

At over 100 years old, the Rotary Club of Hamilton was one the first clubs to be chartered in Canada. As Hamilton’s original Rotary Club, they are committed to literacy, children & youth projects that improve local and international communities. Rotary Club of Hamilton is the lead partner for Empowerment Squared’s relationship with the Rotary network, which includes Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Monrovia, and a number of Rotary clubs who have supported the Liberian Learning Center. They also act as fiduciary agents to support E2’s international activities.

Rotary Club of Monrovia

The Rotary Club of Monrovia was originally chartered by Rotary International on January 24, 1964 as the first Rotary Club in Liberia with 29 members from business and professional classifications that ranged from engineering to medicine to insurance to transportation, law and many others. The Rotary Club of Monrovia is the local implementing Rotary partner for Empowerment Squared’s work in Liberia, with a focus on the Liberian Learning Center. They also act as fiduciary agents to support E2’s activities in Liberia.

Rosetta Steps Foundation

Rosetta Steps Education Center is a school and learning center based in Montserrado County, Liberia, dedicated to providing quality education to children from low income families. Their organization is founded on the belief that education is a human right and the best means of combatting inequality, poverty, and discrimination. Rosetta Steps’ work towards providing educational opportunities for Liberians in need aligns with the Liberian Learning Center’s principles of educational empowerment, accessibility, equity, and opportunity. 

Youth Crime Watch of Liberia

Youth Crime Watch of Liberia (YCW) was established in 2004 to foster the interest of young people whilst ensuring a peaceful and crime free Liberia. Since its establishment, the organisation has proven exceptional within the youth community in the areas of crime prevention, youth empowerment and employment. YCW is an implementing partner for Empowerment Squared activities in Liberia such as the HOPE Development Program, and are a direct conduit to identifying, engaging, and supporting youth in challenging circumstances in Liberia.

Change for Liberia Children and Youth (CLCY)

Based in Careysburg, Liberia and established as a charitable organization in the United States, Change for Liberia Children and Youth is dedicated to building bridges for underprivileged children and youths through genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, providing quality education and health awareness. Empowerment Squared works with CLCY to deliver direct support and programming to Liberians in Careysburg, and also to advance the mission of the Liberian Learning Center as a hub for education and skills development in Liberia.

Learning Squared Liberia

Learning Squared Liberia is a non-profit organization registered and operating in the USA and Liberia. They are dedicated to improving education for the children of Liberia and developing the capacity of individuals and communities to build a healthy and thriving democracy. Their educational support programs, scholarships, microfinance activities, and programs for rural women, work in alignment with Empowerment Squared’s activities in Liberia to build a Liberia where all youth have access to an education that prepares them to succeed personally and professionally.

Ontario Trillium Foundation

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Their investments in communities across the province help build healthy and vibrant communities. It’s mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector.  For more than 30 years, OTF grants have made an impact on the social, cultural and economic well-being of the people of Ontario.

Hamilton Community Foundation

Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) is a Community Foundation that pools donations and financial endowments into a coordinated investment and grant-making facility dedicated primarily to the social improvement of Hamilton, Ontario. HCF has disbursed over $96 million in grants since its formation in 1954. The grants are distributed across all charitable sectors in the community: arts, education, environment, health and human services and recreation. HCF has established a $5 million Hamilton Community Investment Fund enabling the foundation to put more of its assets to work locally. 

Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage

Canadian Heritage and its portfolio organizations play a vital role in the cultural, civic and economic life of Canadians. Arts, culture and heritage represent more than $56 billion in the Canadian economy and close to 655,000 jobs in sectors such as film and video, broadcasting, music, publishing, archives, performing arts, heritage institutions, festivals and celebrations. The Department’s mandate is set out in the Department of Canadian Heritage Act and centres on fostering and promoting “Canadian identity and values, cultural development, and heritage.”

Government of Canada, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

FedDev Ontario works actively to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency is delivering impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region.

The City of Hamilton

The City of Hamilton’s vision is “To be the best place to raise a child and age successfully.” Incorporated in 1846, the City oversees local governance for the ninth largest regional economy in Canada, and fifth-largest municipality in Ontario.  Overseeing a $1.6 billion gross tax operating budget and led by a dedicated city council and over 9,000 employees, stakeholders work together “To provide high quality cost conscious public services that contribute to a healthy, safe and prosperous community, in a sustainable manner.”

Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC)

NABC is a catalyst for collective wisdom and action to address long-standing systemic disparities in Black communities. They aspire to build a strong black community sector identity that will create the right conditions for systemic changes through network collaborative work with agencies, funders and allies. We care about the collective impact of NABC as a network. Critical to this endeavour is their ability to create collaborative learning and capacity building opportunities to enable data and evaluation excellence in the Black community sector.

United Way Halton & Hamilton

United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) is committed to leading measurable, impactful change by identifying the most challenging issues in our community, and bringing together people and resources to address those issues. They connect volunteers with local needs, and offer training and operational support to local charities. Along with their network of partners and experts, UWHH conducts research and works with key stakeholders to generate support for the not-for-profit sector. Each dollar raised is invested right back into the community. 

Karl Kahane Foundation

The Karl Kahane Foundation focuses on the topics of Accessibility, Migration / Inclusion and Social Mobility. The Foundation was established in 1991 by the late Karl Kahane as an independent, privately funded, non-political and non-religious charitable foundation, and is based in Switzerland. He considered it his duty to be on the side of the most vulnerable in society and to dedicate part of the proceeds from his affiliated family companies to not-for-profit organisations.

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is the ministry in Ontario, Canada responsible for services to children and youth, social services such as welfare, the Ontario Disability Support Program, and community service programs to address homelessness, domestic violence, spousal support, adoption, collaborate with Indigenous communities on healing, health and wellness programs and services for Indigenous people and assisted housing for people with disabilities.

Rotary International

Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Rotary is a non-political and non-religious organization open to all with over 35,000 member clubs worldwide and a membership of 1.2 million individuals, known as Rotarians.

Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is an international non-governmental organization established by Mastercard in 2006. The organization is based in Toronto and has supported work in 49 countries. In 2018, Mastercard Foundation shifted to a specific focus on Africa, through its Young Africa Works strategy. The foundation develops programs primarily focused on reducing gender and economic inequality, expanding access to quality education, increasing the opportunities for decent work, and supporting overall economic growth.

Canada Post Community Foundation

The Canada Post Community Foundation provides grants to Canadian schools, charities and organizations in an effort to make a difference in the lives of children across the country. It supports the small, underfunded projects that often go unnoticed, from coast to coast to coast. Through its grassroots, community-based approach, the Foundation plays a critical role in helping Canada Post achieve its purpose of A Stronger Canada – Delivered.