Empower U – Building Confident Futures is a financial empowerment program that helps participants increase their knowledge, tools and access to resources to meet their financial goals. It combines financial education, one-on-one financial coaching and matched savings.
There is compelling evidence that women and the families they care for have more barriers to achieving financial security. This can result from a variety of circumstances.
Through Empower U, participants will learn how to:
Empower U includes nine two-hour modules delivered over 10 to 14 weeks, depending on the agency.
The modules covered by Empower U are:
Savings are matched in the Empower U program at a 2:1 ratio. For example, if a participant saves $250 over the five-month period, the program matches the savings by adding $500, for a total of $750. These savings can be used as an investment in their children’s education through an RESP; TFSA (GIC) towards a specific financial goal or as an emergency fund. Emergency funds can be used to cover unexpected expenses, job loss or sudden illness.
Empower U partners with financial planners and practitioners to provide one-on-one financial coaching support. After completing the financial modules, a volunteer financial coach helps participants identify, plan for and achieve their financial goals.
Nine agencies facilitate Empower U programs. Anyone interested in participating in an Empower U program, can contact one of the following organizations to attend. The one program that is offered to men and couples is out of Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre.
The organization runs Empower U groups for women twice a year, once a week for 14 weeks. Phone: (780) 474 -5011.
Visit Website
Empower U groups are offered three times a year, once a week for 10 weeks. Phone: (780) 784-2203.
Visit Website
Located in north Edmonton, the organization runs three Empower U groups a year, once a week for 10 weeks. Groups are held in the evenings. Phone: (780) 471-6137.
Visit Website
Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for ten weeks. Phone: (780) 426-4985.
Visit Website
Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for 11 weeks at varying locations. Phone: (780) 554-0894.
Visit Website
Empower U groups are offered four times a year, once a week for 15 weeks at two locations. This is the only Empower U program open to women, men and couples. Phone: (780) 471-3737.
Visit Website
Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for 10 weeks. Phone: (780) 667-8441.
Visit Website
Empower U groups are offered three times a year, once a week for 12 weeks. Phone: (780) 496-9224.
Visit Website
IFSSA’s Empower U program includes sections on Islamic banking and newcomer supports and it is offered in Arabic, Somali, English and Urdu/Punjabi/Hindi. Phone: (780) 900-2777.
Visit WebsiteIn 2024, Empower U graduated 216 participants in the program. 115 participants took part in the matched savings, saving over $91,000 in total. "Empower U consistently demonstrates substantial improvements in participants' financial health across multiple dimensions. The program's impact on savings habits is particularly significant – the percentage of participants regularly saving money more than doubled from 22% pre-program to 55% at completion, further increasing to 65% six months later. The proportion of participants with no savings dropped from 31% to 17% six months after completion, indicating sustainable and lasting changes in savings behaviours. Financial awareness and literacy also improved. Credit score awareness increased from 31% pre-program to 48% at completion and 65% six months later, with tangible improvements in actual scores over time. Budgeting skills were widely adopted, with 75% of participants creating monthly budgets and 73% actively using them by program end. The program's comprehensive approach, combining financial education with matched savings opportunities, contributed to reduced financial stress and increased confidence." - 2024 Empower U Evaluation Report, prepared by Three Hive Consulting.
participants have graduated from Empower U.
combined participant savings and matched savings dollars through Empower U.
people have enrolled to participate in Empower U.
