Care Masters Support Program Pillars

At Care Masters, we deliver community-rooted programs that promote mental wellness, build
economic resilience, and strengthen families. Each of our five core service areas is designed
to uplift, equip, and walk alongside Black, African, Caribbean, and racialized women, youth,
and families.

---

Group Mental Wellness Support for Women

​We offer safe, affirming peer-led wellness groups for women to explore self-care, mental
wellness, generational healing, and life transitions. Through guided dialogue, sisterhood, and
financial literacy sessions, participants gain tools to reduce stress, build capacity, and
navigate life with confidence.

Impact Highlight:

• Over 100 women engaged through Sister Circles, Wellness Walks, and mental health-focused programming between 2024-2025.
  
• Distributed $5,000 in microgrants through the SEPP (Sisters Economically Prospering Program) to support women launching side hustles and small businesses, helping to build​ confidence, independence, and financial resilience.

Recreational and Mental Wellness for Children & Youth

This weekly recreation-based program supports children ages 5–13 through sports, arts,
STEM activities, and cultural learning. Youth mentors (ages 14–17) in our Leadership-in-
Training (LIT) program assist with programming while developing leadership skills and
earning volunteer hours. While children grow through play, parents access wellness
supports or a safe, structured break rooted in community care.

Impact Highlight:
Over 30 children benefited weekly from free, high-quality programming that promotes
mental wellness, belonging, and joy—while teen mentors gained hands-on experience in
community leadership and youth engagement.

Leadership Training & Mentorship for Youth

Our youth programming supports academic success, emotional wellbeing, and workforce
readiness through tutoring, mentorship, and leadership development. Participants engage in
workshops focused on self-esteem, financial literacy, emotional intelligence, and job
preparedness. Youth in our Leadership-in-Training (LIT) program gain hands-on experience
by volunteering in community programs like Black Family Fun Night, supporting younger
children and earning volunteer hours.

Impact Highlights:

• Over 300 hours of youth leadership training delivered in partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart.
• 10 youth have transitioned from volunteers to paid employment through Care Masters after completing 40+ volunteer hours and 20 hours of leadership training—an important milestone in addressing the underemployment of Black youth in Ontario.

Single Parent Support & Economic Development Program

This wraparound program supports solo parents—primarily mothers—through practical
workshops focused on financial literacy, parenting, self-care, and healing intergenerational
trauma. We provide emergency food security assistance, along with referrals and letters
of support to help families access regional housing programs.

Childcare support is embedded within select programs to ensure accessibility—for example,
Black Family Fun Night offers children a safe and enriching space while parents participate
in parallel wellness programming. Additional session-based childcare options will be offered
in Fall 2025.

Impact Highlight:
Provided over $5,500 in emergency grocery support to single parents in crisis.

Community Navigation & Referrals

Walking alongside families as they access essential services like housing, food, legal aid,
and mental health care.

We provide warm referrals and advocacy to help individuals and families navigate complex
systems—from legal and court support to food security and housing programs. Whether
writing support letters, connecting families with therapists, or accompanying a parent to
family court, our approach is deeply personal and culturally grounded.

Impact Highlight:
Dozens of families have accessed long-term support services through our personalized
referrals and warm navigation approach.

​HIGHLIGHTS
​
Quotes from two recent S.E.P.P participants and Micro Grant awardees:

​I wanted to thank Care Masters, Women and Family Services and the CIBC Foundation for their financial assistance which is enabling me to take one step closer to achieving my goals.

Participating in the SEPP program was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed all the guest speakers who presented. I took tons of notes and was able to use this information to help find resources in the community that could help scale my business.

This micro grant will enable me to contact a vendor who will create the patterns, samples and production of my first line of custom dog clothes. I appreciate all the encouragement I received from yourself and everyone participating in Care Master’s SEPP program since it helped me set and stay on track with my goals.

​By remaining accountable to the group, I was able to work on my feelings of imposter syndrome which were previously holding me back from beginning my side hustle. Since beginning the SEPP program, I have found vendors, sourced fabric and identified designers who can help take the ideas out of my head by creating a tangible product. I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in the SEPP program and have already spread the word in my network to have others join the program. Thank you again for believing in my vision and for awarding me the micro grant. I look forward to sharing pictures of the finished products soon!

Warm regards,
Dione

​I am deeply grateful for the supportive and enriching experience I've had through SEPP - Sisters Economically Prospering Program, as part of the inaugural cohort. 

Care Masters' commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of the program, providing me with the tools and knowledge to pitch, research and network with likeminded others. I also extend my gratitute to CIBC, for your financial support which has made a tangible difference, allowing me and others to fund key areas that continue to move the needle towards launching.

One of the most rewarding aspects has been the relationships I've built with fellow participants and mentors. The network I've gained through Care Masters has been invaluable, providing ongoing support and collaborative opportunities.
​
Thank you CIBC for your commitment to empowering Care Masters in their goals to support communities and individuals like me.
​
Brenda A - RentMatch Toronto