■Canadian mirco-loans help people with mental illness start businesses

More than 100 people with mental illness have started businesses and are repaying loans during the first three years of a new charity in Canada called Rise Asset Developed. The program, which started with $1 million in seed money from philanthropist Sandra Rotman, offers micro-loans of up to $5,000 and mentoring through the University of Toronto. "I didn't know if the concept would work, but it does," Rotman said. "It's turned out better than I even dreamed." The Toronto Star (12/3)   http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1296634--microfinance-program-combats-stigma-of-mental-illness-goar