- Financial literacy is key to activating youth for their future success -
TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2017 /CNW/ - As Financial Literacy Month wraps up for another successful year, JA Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure the focus and discussion on financial literacy as an essential life skill continues. In November and throughout the year, JA volunteers deliver financial literacy programs in classrooms. As the largest youth financial literacy educator in the country, JA offers a variety of national programs, which help students develop money management skills and habits that they can take through their lives.
"It is never too early to start talking to your children about money. Early skills development are essential in ensuring lifelong financial success," said Scott Hillier, President and CEO. "While November is Financial Literacy Month, JA Canada and our volunteers are committed to building students' financial literacy skills all year round."
Throughout the month of November, JA volunteers from the business community delivered more than 1,000 financial literacy programs reaching over 25,000 students from coast to coast. With the delivery of these programs, over 1,500 volunteers helped students put financial literacy concepts into practice so that they can connect basic economics to their daily lives.
"Our programs help provide students with a solid foundation that is required for their future success," explained Hillier. "Through past research, we know that students who participate in JA programs save more, borrow less, and do better financially than the average Canadian."
With generous support from our donors, JA reaches nearly 250,000 students each year. "We are grateful to have the support of so many outstanding corporate partners," said Hillier. "Corporate support and dedicated volunteers allow us to bring JA programs, including Dollars with Sense, Economics for Success, Personal Finance and Investment Strategies into classrooms across the country each day completely free of charge."
In 2017, thanks to a donation from HSBC, JA Canada expanded its reach through the delivery of the More than Money program to JA Quebec, JA Southern Alberta, JA British Columbia, JA Central Ontario and JA Northern Alberta. This interactive classroom program uses games and multimedia to help grade 3-5 students learn about earning, spending, sharing and saving money. More than Money helps students understand that proper money management can improve their lives and how their financial choices can impact others.
JA helps to build students' financial knowledge and helps youth learn the basic financial concepts that will help them develop the ability and discipline to make wise personal and financial decisions. JA programs provide real-life knowledge and experience to help young people know when to spend, when to save, how to effectively manage a budget, how to choose the right financial products and how to prepare for life changes.
"As we wrap up Financial Literacy Month, we celebrate the great impact that JA, volunteers, teachers, donors and parents made throughout the month," said Hillier. "Let's keep the focus and the conversation going each day. We must continue to work together to help strengthen youths' understanding and build the life-long habits that will help them be successful for the rest of their lives."
For more information on JA programs, please visit www.jacanada.org.
About
JA Canada is the country's largest youth business education organization and is dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in the global economy. Offering programs in the areas of financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness, JA Canada strives to help students make informed and knowledgeable financial decisions, develop career plans and express their innovative spirit.
SOURCE Junior Achievement of Canada
Kristina Fixter, Director, Marketing and Events, 647.428.9097, [email protected]
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