Our mission is to create economic and employment opportunities for people by providing them jobs, training and support.
About EMBERS
EMBERS (the Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society) is a registered Canadian charity whose mission is to create economic and employment opportunities for people by providing them jobs, training, and support. We seek to empower individuals into economic self-sufficiency so that they can build their best future.
Since 2001, we have provided a comprehensive array of job placements and support services that address the full employment continuum, from pre-employment to sustainable employment. We have won multiple provincial and national awards for our community impact and initiatives aimed at getting people back to work and building a better future.
Our Story
The EMBERS story begins with a passion for assisting and encouraging community engagement in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Developed in response to announcements from the City of Vancouver and other stakeholders to revitalize Vancouver’s inner city, EMBERS aligned with community leaders, residents and businesses in a shared commitment to building partnerships with residents and re-engaging the area to its past economic prominence.
After more than a year of research and consultation with inner-city residents, EMBERS was officially established as a community economic development charity in 2001. Initially offering self employment and training and support for budding entrepreneurs, EMBERS has since grown to offer a number of other employment services inclusive to inner-city residents and the communities we serve.
Each year, EMBERS helps thousands of people facing barriers to work lead productive, fulfilling lives by offering economic and employment opportunities through our social enterprise, EMBERS Staffing, and other programs. We are proud to have created one of Canada’s largest employment social enterprises. EMBERS currently supports communities through the following four key service programs: EMBERS Staffing, EMBERS Training, EMBERS Community Employment Services, and EMBERS Eastside Works.
Supporters and Funders
We are proud to strengthen communities alongside our supporters and funders.
Our Team
HQ
Marcia Nozick
Founder & CEO
In 2001, Marcia Nozick founded EMBERS (the Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society) as a community economic development charity with a mission to create economic and employment opportunities for people living on low incomes in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. A long-time community advocate, Marcia’s leadership at EMBERS has helped thousands of people facing work barriers lead productive lives by providing access to self-employment education, job placements, training and support. In 2008, Marcia broke new ground by launching EMBERS Staffing Solutions (ESS), an award-winning temporary staffing agency. Her goal was to create flexible, short-term work placements for people looking to re-enter the workforce. A social enterprise, ESS is self-sustaining and invests 100% of its profits back into the community through higher hourly wages, free equipment rentals, and training for workers. Thanks to Marcia’s leadership, ESS is able to have a tremendous social impact. In 2022 alone, the organization employed 2,100+ people. An innovative leader, Marcia has been recognized nationally for her passion and contributions to the fields of community economic development and social enterprise. In 2020, she won the prestigious Governor General's Innovation Award. The following year, she received the BC CEO Lifetime Achievement Award and the BC Achievement Foundation's Community Award. Most recently, Marcia has received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Special Citation, which recognizes outstanding social innovation. Prior to founding EMBERS, Marcia was the coordinator of Healthy Communities in Winnipeg, the associate editor and publisher of City Magazine and an instructor of Community Economic Development at Simon Fraser University. She holds a Master’s Degree in City Planning, and wrote the influential Canadian book, No Place Like Home: Building Sustainable Communities (1992) that David Suzuki praised as “a must read.”
Doug Aason
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ACCOUNTS
Described by many as a “relationship man,” Doug Aason is a person passionate for changing lives and making a positive impact in his community. Doug is the Director of Business Development of EMBERS Staffing. He works closely with EMBERS partners and EMBERS Staffing workers, building and fostering relationships on all levels. Doug engages partnerships that are aligned with EMBERS values and is committed to creating social impact and social purpose with partners that are Champions of Change. Doug spent seven years working at Salvation Army Harbor Light alcohol and drug treatment centre, before taking on the role of Director of Community Investment at the Greater Vancouver Foodbank Society, helping to build financial support to a new level. He describes the most rewarding part of his job as “witnessing the profound impact we can have on changing people’s lives for the better.” A kind hearted person with a desire to make a difference, and a strong knack for story-telling, Doug is an inspiration for those he works with. In his free time, Doug enjoys spending time outdoors fishing for the elusive “big one,” desperately hoping his golf game will improve, and most importantly spending time with his beautiful daughters and loving wife.
Johanna Li
Director of EMBERS Eastside Works
As the Director of EMBERS Eastside Works, Johanna is passionate about finding innovative ways to help people earn income. Having spent over a decade working in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) with organizations such as the Potluck Café Society and the Vancity Community Foundation, she has built a strong repertoire of expertise in community development and gained much experience in working with a diverse range of individuals. Johanna is very grateful for all the opportunities, experiences and relationships her work has afforded her and is committed to contributing to a thriving, inclusive DTES community.
Lynne Tapper
Director of Training Programs and Partnership Development
Lynne has worked in learning and development for over 16 years in both Vancouver and the United Kingdom. Lynne feels privileged to be part of an organization that invests in its workers through certified training and support, which opens up opportunities for increased wages and career development.
Shruthi Dinkar
HR Business Partner
Coming soon.