JA British Columbia and Coast Capital partner to mark
Financial Literacy month
Vancouver, BC – Thanks to JA British Columbia and Coast Capital, over 870 students became more financially literate throughout Financial Literacy Month in November. That is a 16% increase over last year and a record for the Dollars with Sense program.
Across the province, over 40 Coast Capital Savings volunteers delivered the program to help show students how proper money management can improve their future. With recent Stats Canada data claiming the average Canadian carries $1.68 in debt (including credit, mortgages and loans) for every dollar of disposable income, now more than ever, Canadian youth need to be given the tools they need to make sound financial decisions. The purpose of Financial Literacy Month in Canada is to help strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians and empower them to manage money wisely, save for the future and understand their rights and responsibilities.
“At Coast Capital, we focus our community programs on youth, so our partnership with JABC is a great fit for us,” says Julienne Hills, Coast Capital’s Manager, Community Partnerships. “Understanding financial basics is an essential life skill, and we know that starting early is the first step toward long-term financial well-being. That’s why the work of JABC and the Dollar with Sense program is so important.”
“Preparing young Canadian with the knowledge to make sound financial decisions sets them up for success for the rest of their lives,” explains Sheila Biggers, President and CEO of JA British Columbia, “and we’re proud to be doing it.”
Dollars with Sense is made possible thanks to a renewed $735,000 investment over three years from Coast Capital Savings. The program introduces students in grades 7-9 to personal money management skills including budgeting, investing and goal setting. It is offered in 56 BC school districts and community centres around the province and is delivered by volunteers who bring their real life experience into the classroom.
To learn more about Dollars with Sense, visit www.https://jabc.org/dws.
About Coast Capital
Coast Capital Savings is Canada’s largest credit union by membership. An Imagine Canada Caring Company, the credit union invested $5.6 million into local communities in 2016, focusing on empowering and engaging youth. Named a BC Top Employer in 2017, Coast Capital is also a member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club. It has 52 branches serving its 543,000 members in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Okanagan regions of British Columbia. Product innovations include Canada’s first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution. To learn more, visit coastcapitalsavings.com.
About JA British Columbia
JA British Columbia (JABC) is a member of JA Canada and part of JA Worldwide (JA), the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating young people about business. Since 1955, British Columbia schools have relied on JA to inspire and prepare youth to succeed in an ever-changing global economy. Last year, over 40,000 BC students benefited from JABC programs delivered free of charge by volunteers from local business communities, who bring their real-life experience into the classroom. JABC programs focus on work readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship, giving students the confidence and skills they need to become the next generation of business and community leaders. To learn more visit https://jabc.org.
