Programs & Services

CCFL Projects

Thanks to the dedication of community partners and the contributions of public and private supporters, the CCFL has initiated a number of projects across Canada.

Below is a description of some of the CCFL projects that are helping Canadians lift themselves out of poverty.

Financial Literacy for Newcomers Project
Funder: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Through this project, which started in July 2009 and will end in March 2011, a model for the delivery of financial literacy services to newcomers to Canada will be developed and piloted. The goal is to contribute to the integration of newcomers into Canadian life by expanding opportunities for them to increase their financial literacy during the settlement period. Three community organizations will be equipped to offer financial literacy services to their clients and 1,500 newcomers in three cities will receive financial literacy supports. Conclusions will be provided on the pilot’s suitability for replication across Canada.

Financial Literacy for Ontarians
Funder: The Ontario Trillium Foundation

The CCFL will work with more than 75 Ontario community organizations serving Aboriginal Peoples, newcomers to Canada, youth, women, and families with children. The program, which will focus on Northern Ontario and rural and remote communities, will enhance the capacity of 100 staff in participating organizations to deliver financial literacy programs. Facilitators trained through this program will provide financial literacy education to over 2,000 Ontarians. The program started in November 2009 and will end in March 2011.

Entrepreneurship & financial literacy for newcomer youth
Funder: Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade

The NewStart program introduces entrepreneurship and financial literacy to Ontario newcomer youth as an option to achieving self-sufficiency. NewStart, which is offered at five communities, includes a community forum and training sessions for program facilitators. The initiative will reach over 50 facilitators who will promote entrepreneurship and financial literacy among 750 newcomer youth.

RBC Financial Literacy Project
Funder: Royal Bank of Canada

Announced in September 2009, this program will make it possible for the CCFL to train staff at more than 75 community organizations to deliver financial literacy services to over 1,500 newcomers to Canada and Aboriginal Peoples. Participants in the RBC Financial Literacy Project will access information and training on the basics of personal finance, their rights, entitlements and responsibilities in Canada’s financial system as well as public programs and benefits available to them.

Bringing The City to youth across Canada
Funder: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

This project will see The City, a joint initiative of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and the British Columbia Securities Commission, tested and evaluated by the CCFL in community organizations across Canada. An online world designed primarily for educators and their students, The City teaches youth lifelong lessons about money through everyday scenarios. The CCFL will train facilitators from organizations in ten communities to deliver The City, and then will evaluate this educational tool based on the feedback received from the participating organizations and youth.

Financial literacy for young parents
Funder: Genworth Financial Canada

Funded by Genworth Financial Canada, Financial Foundations seeks to increase the financial knowledge and skills of young parents. There is growing concern that many young people lack financial literacy, which increases their risk of living in poverty. Through this project, the CCFL will train program facilitators in three communities across Canada, helping them incorporate financial literacy into the programs they already offer to young parents living on low incomes. Over 300 parents will participate in money management workshops and, with the support of facilitators, will set financial goals such as saving for their child’s education or to buy a home.