HCF funds the YOUth Create after-school program in the McQuesten neighbourhood. Its focus is on fitness, nutrition, health, well-being and the arts. Read about their activities in Canadian Cyclist magazine.

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Dreams can come true

For low-income entrepreneurs who have always dreamed of starting their own businesses, but don't have the finances to get started, a new innovative program called micro-credit can help them reach their goals.

The program offers small loans to people - those who lack access to conventional credit - to create or grow their businesses. Sometimes that's all it takes to get a dream off the ground, and help individuals and their families become financially self-reliant. A recent pilot project showed this when, after receiving micro-credit to start a home day care, more than 100 Hamilton woman successfully launched day care centres in their homes.

As a result of micro-credit, individuals are getting the tools they need to create a source of income and meet and important community need, while contributing to Hamilton's economic development.

This program is being funded through a grant from Tackling Poverty Together, and is being spearheaded by the Social Planning and Research Council, a partner in Hamilton's Social Enterprise Network.