Ongoing support of Junior Achievement's programs extend reach and impact for thousands of students across Canada
TORONTO, Nov. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - What tools do young people need to become entrepreneurs and future leaders? That's one of the questions at the heart of November's Financial Literacy Month. For TD Bank Group and Junior Achievement of Canada, the answers are simple: provide youth with the digital tools that today's learners need, and provide access to volunteer mentors that deliver cutting-edge financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs that prepare and inspire young people to be financially savvy.
TD has been instrumental in supporting the ongoing development and delivery of Junior Achievement's programs across Canada for more than 15 years. The most recent gift of $400,000 will help build an online platform to support the growth of three major programs - Economics for Success, Dollars with Sense and Company Program - and thereby increase their reach in homes, classrooms and communities across the country.
"Thanks to TD's ongoing support, Junior Achievement continues to inspire today's young people to stay in school, become financially literate and become the leaders of tomorrow," said Stephen Ashworth, President and CEO (Acting), Junior Achievement of Canada. "TD has been instrumental in helping develop and deliver our financial literacy programs. Their recent investment is helping us move to a digital space for our programs and create a new database that captures digital extensions for our programs."
TD's investment in Junior Achievement is multiplied by the dedication of more than 700 TD employees who volunteer their time to deliver financial literacy programs in middle and high school classrooms across Canada.
"As a large financial institution, TD recognizes that we have a particular responsibility to help Canadians, especially young Canadians, gain a better understanding of their finances," said John Tracy, Senior Vice President, Retail Savings and Investing, TD Bank Group. "We are very proud to support programs like Junior Achievement and we are especially proud to see that commitment shared by so many employees who donate their time."
Junior Achievement is the largest youth business education organization in Canada and plays an important role in developing Canada's future leaders by providing them with the knowledge and confidence needed to define personal success, gain financial responsibility and enhance their workforce readiness.
Junior Achievement provides tools and programs that put financial literacy concepts into practice, so that youth can connect basic economics to their daily life events. Economics for Success is an interactive program that allows students to examine their future and explore different opportunities for their own success. Dollars with Sense gives junior high school students personal money management skills, challenging them to apply these concepts in their own life. Company Program - A Student Venture inspires high school students to understand the role of business in our society by creating an enterprise of their own.
There is no doubt that early behaviour and skill development are essential in ensuring lifelong financial success. An analysis conducted by the Boston Consulting Group in 2011 showed that Junior Achievement programs make a significant impact in the financial literacy of students. Over 75% of Junior Achievement past participants believe the organization's programs had a significant impact in developing their financial literacy skills. Achievers save more, borrow less, and do better financially than the average Canadian.
Please note: TD employees will be at Antoine-Brossard High School delivering Economics for Success programs on November 27, 2012. Photos of students and TD volunteers will be made available after the event.
About Junior Achievement of Canada
For more than 58 years, Junior Achievement has inspired and prepared more than 4 million youth to succeed. Junior Achievement programs are developed in alignment with three pillars: entrepreneurship; financial literacy; and work readiness. Last year alone, more than 226,000 young Canadians experienced a Junior Achievement program from over 13,500 committed business mentors. Through partnerships with both large and small organizations, as well as individual business leaders, Junior Achievement of Canada is able to inspire and empower young achievers by providing programs that prepare them for the workforce, educate on the importance of financial literacy and encourage youth's entrepreneurial spirit. For more information, visit www.jacan.org.
TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities to make a positive impact where it does business and where our customers, clients and employees live and work. In 2012, TD Bank Group donated over $65 million to support community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, we focus on Education and Financial Literacy, Creating Opportunities for Young People, and the Environment. For more information, visit www.td.com/corporateresponsibility.
For more information about financial literacy programs supported by TD, go to www.td.com/financialliteracy.
SOURCE: Junior Achievement of Canada
Kristina Fixter
Junior Achievement of Canada
P: 416-622-4602, ext. 229
[email protected]
Tashlin Hirani
TD Bank Group
416-982-3375
[email protected]
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