Our Story
Our Story
We are building a Canada where Indigenous and barriered jobseekers have the same employment opportunities as all other Canadians.
Our Children's Medicine connects Indigenous and barriered jobseekers, Canadian businesses and nonprofit agencies to eliminate barriers to employment. Using HigherMe's job platform, jobseekers create online profile that bypasses the paper resume and allows them to highlight skills gained from lived experience rather than work experience. Applications involve answering a multiple choice questionnaire and recording an optional short video. HigherMe's proprietary algorithm assigns a Match Score to the profiles, alerting HR managers of the suitability of a candidate for a certain role.
The Challenge
The Challenge
Indigenous youth face a far higher unemployment rate than most Canadians. What is preventing them from accessing employment? How can employers outreach to this community and provide greater economic opportunity?
Canadian unemployment rate
Youth unemployment rate
Indigenous youth unemployment rate
Multiple, easily preventable barriers halt the job search of these applicants.
The Opportunity
The Opportunity
With over 250,000 entry-level job vacancies per month and 600,000 unemployed youth, it is clear that job seekers are struggling to be considered for the ample opportunities in Canada.
jobs vacancies per month requiring a high school diploma or less
15-24 year olds in Canada are currently unemployed
Meet the Team
Meet The Team
Josh Hellyer
Founding Director,
President
Charlie Sault
Community Connector & Partnerships (SWO)
Corrine Tansowny
Manager, Partnerships & Opportunities
Kelly Hashemi
Advisor, Community
Relations
Advisory Board
Advisory Board
John MacIntyre
Founding Partner, Birch Hill Equity Partners
Leanne Hall
National Leader | Deloitte Indigenous Partner
Josh Hellyer
President, Our Children's Medicine (Ex-Officio)
Taunya Paquette
Director, Indigenous Education Office | Ministry of Education (ONT)
Jayne Pyper
COO, The YMCA-Greater Toronto Area
Pierre Schuurmans
COO, Birch Hill Equity Partners
Our Children's Medicine
Our Children's Medicine connects Indigenous and barriered job seekers, Canadian businesses and nonprofit agencies to eliminate barriers to employment. Using HigherMe's assessment-based hiring platform, job seekers create an online profile that shifts the focus from prior work experience to lived and cultural experiences.
OCM became an independent not-for-profit in 2017 with governance and oversight provided by Birch Hill Equity Partners.