About Us

The Manifesto of La Termitière

Communities possess a wealth that is often invisible: their ability to help each other, learn together and build collective solutions to economic challenges.

Solidarity has always been at the heart of community life. Yet in modern economies, this solidarity often remains informal and insufficiently structured to produce real economic power.

La Termitière was born from a simple conviction: when economic knowledge, trust between community members and responsible collective mechanisms come together, it becomes possible to transform solidarity into lasting economic capacity.

Our mission is to create spaces where individuals and families can learn to better understand the economy, strengthen their confidence in their financial decisions and develop innovative forms of economic cooperation.

We believe that economic autonomy is not built solely through access to financial resources, but also through the transmission of knowledge, the development of community leadership and the creation of responsible collective structures.

Through its programs, La Termitière seeks to build communities capable of generating their own economic resilience, supporting their entrepreneurs and actively contributing to local and international economic development.

La Termitière is more than an organization. It is a movement for economic dignity and responsible solidarity.

The Termitière Model of Community Economic Autonomy combines economic education, community support, solidarity financial capital, economic innovation and international cooperation to strengthen the economic resilience of communities.

Our History

Founded in 2017 by a group of Francophone independent workers in the Greater Toronto Area, La Termitière was born from the realization that Black and immigrant communities needed adapted structures to strengthen their economic empowerment.

Our Mandate

To promote economic inclusion, autonomy and full and equitable participation of Black and immigrant communities, particularly women, youth, persons with disabilities and newcomers.

Our Mission

To strengthen community economic empowerment through bilingual programs in financial education, support services, solidarity-based assistance and entrepreneurial development.

Our Vision

Autonomous, inclusive and resilient Black and immigrant communities, able to transform solidarity into sustainable economic power and lead their own development.

Our Values

Solidarity

We believe in the strength of the collective. Together, we build community safety nets.

Inclusion

Every person, regardless of language, origin or situation, deserves to be included.

Autonomy

We equip individuals to take charge of their economic future.

Sustainability

Our actions aim for lasting impact that is passed on from generation to generation.

Who We Serve

Francophones and Francophiles in Ontario and beyond
English-speaking immigrants
Newcomers
Women and youth from Black communities
Persons with disabilities or in economic vulnerability
Entrepreneurs from Black and immigrant communities
Institutional and community partners

Founder's Message

La Termitière was born from a simple but powerful vision: that of a community where solidarity is not an empty word, but a concrete tool for economic transformation. Like the termite mound in nature, we build together, stone by stone, a solid and lasting structure.

Jean Marie Mabaka Lusasu, Founder

Our Cooperative Model

La Termitière is a solidarity cooperative without social shares. This model, unique in Canada, allows anyone to become a member without an initial financial investment, eliminating barriers to participation.