Who we are
Your everyday Toronto courier partner
A-Way Express is a Toronto-based local courier in business since 1987. We are reliable, courteous and exceptional problem solvers when businesses need a hand.
Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health since inception, A-Way also plays an important role in Toronto’s healthcare system, providing supported employment for people with lived experience of mental illness.
A-Way employs 45 people with lived experience each year. An additional 60-80 people participate in A-Way’s PREP Employment Program and community activities.
Employment supports level the playing field for A-Way employees who have earned a 4.8-star Google Review Rating and annual TorStar Reader’s Choice Awards by providing exceptional customer service.
Local delivery.
Local impact.
Local delivery. Local impact.
Work Changes Lives
People with serious mental illness usually face unemployment rates of 70-90%. Yet employment is correlated with positive outcomes in social functioning, symptom levels, quality of life and self-esteem. [Mental Health Commission of Canada]
A-Way jobs create purpose and directly impact income and housing security. A-Way food, wellness and social programs address nutrition, social inclusion, employability and access to health and community supports.
What is Supported Employment?
Supported Employment is an evidence-based model that helps people with disabilities gain job readiness and employment opportunities. Supported employment starts with the belief that everyone who wants paid employment can attain it if the proper supports are in place. [Canadian Association for Supported Employment]
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Accommodations such as shift scheduling, work assignments and a progressive leave policy
Peer-led job training
Peer supporter office hours
Branded shirts and hats, sturdy walking shoes
Monthly transit pass
Health and safety, rights and responsibilities, and customer service training
Work-related training budget to support individual employment goals
Job retention coaching
Food programming
Access to evidence-based wellness programs such as WRAP and Mindful Meditation
CALM app subscription
Social activities
Referrals to community and healthcare services
I’d be in the hospital if it weren’t for A-Way Express.
Peer support is the secret sauce!
Peer support happens everywhere at A-Way – in the hallways, over coffee or courier radios, in Friday PREP group discussions and at social events.
Participation in peer support programs and supported employment reduces use of crisis mental health and in-patient services.
Source: Longitudinal Study of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Initiatives, by Geoffrey Nelson, Wilfred Laurier University. Journal of Community Psychology, vol.34 2006
What is peer support? People who have successfully navigated recovery use their lived experiences and specialized training to support others by providing understanding, hope, and encouragement. (Source: Peerworks.ca)
Being able to talk about mental health openly in a workplace is liberating.
A-Way numbers & history
Founded by people with lived experience, A-Way was built to create meaningful work and community.
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A-Way couriers deliver more than 15,000 packages annually
A foot courier delivering flyers takes approx. 30,000 steps in each shift
A-Way employees spend more than 500 hours a year in paid, work-related training.
A permanent part-time foot courier and ODSP recipient may experience a 50% increase in household income as a result of their A-Way earnings!
$30,000 in rescued food is re-distributed in the A-Way community with the support of our partner Second Harvest
A-Way programs staff serve more than 2000 meals every year
A-Way’s trained peer supporters spend more than 600 hours annually facilitating peer group discussions, providing 1:1 peer support and coaching peers on employment topics
More than 40 social activities each year increase social connections for community members who might otherwise be isolated.
In 2025, 30% of PREP Group participants found employment of more than 3 months duration
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1985: Community members at Progress Place and Houselink Community Homes (now Neighbours Community Homes) are interested in finding meaningful work opportunities.
1986: Feasibility study completed; $89,000 in start-up funding is secured.
1987: A‑Way Express launches on June 1 with 10 couriers, 4 office staff and 30 customers.
1999: NFB Documentary “Working Like Crazy” profiles A‑Way employees.
2002: Leadership presents A‑Way’s model at an international psychiatry conference in Yokohama, Japan.
2006: A-Way becomes lead Consumer‑Survivor Initiative of the Toronto Central LHIN.
2008: Co‑operators funds the video “A Messenger Service for Peace of Mind.”
2014: Employment Support program launches to help staff transition to new roles.
2015: A-Way receives a Community Innovator Award from 8‑80 Cities.
2017: Digital Waybill software implemented to better serve Toronto businesses
2020: A-Way is an essential service during the COVID‑19 pandemic as both a courier service and a community mental health agency
2026: A-Way launches Shopify Delivery App
In Their Own Words