Supportive Employment Program

Sex workers wishing to seek mainstream employment have limited opportunities and face high barriers. The goal of the Supportive Employment Program (SEP) is to reduce these barriers by providing opportunities to develop the skills, experience and confidence required for women seeking to reduce their reliance on sex work and/or to transition out of sex work altogether if that is their goal. 

As WISH pivots away from pandemic programming, May 2023 saw the Peer Witnessing Program come to an end, and the launch of the Harm Reduction Workers Program. Harm Reduction education and supplies continues to be a critical need for street-based sex workers as well as advancing the skill sets of the peers who shifted from the Peer Witnessing Program into the Harm Reduction Workers Program.

“You all really believed in me. Two years ago, I never thought I’d be working here and now I am. I didn’t know if you all really meant it. It’s true and I can’t believe it – it’s amazing.”
– Supportive Employment Participant

Just as monumental has been the achievement of true wage parity and equity for peers. A long-standing goal of WISH’s was to bring the peer wages up to a fair and equitable level. 

The impact of the program echoes our mission statement as an organization; one of creating access to opportunities that uphold the safety, autonomy and self-determination of peers and participants.  

“I feel like I now have the confidence to achieve.”
– Supportive Employment Participant

Generously funded by:
Province of BC (Gaming)
Vancouver Coastal Health
MAC AIDS Fund
The Sprott Foundation
Vancity Community Foundation
Vancouver Foundation
Wickerson Foundation