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.
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Empower U groups are offered three times a year, once a week for 10 weeks. Phone: (780) 784-2203.
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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.
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Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for ten weeks. Phone: (780) 426-4985.
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Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for 11 weeks at varying locations. Phone: (780) 554-0894.
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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.
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Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for 10 weeks. Phone: (780) 667-8441.
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Empower U groups are offered three times a year, once a week for 12 weeks. Phone: (780) 496-9224.
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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 2023, Empower U graduated 231 participants in the program, an increase from 2022. 131 participants took part in the matched savings, saving over $100,000 in total. "Participants were able to gain confidence, knowledge and skills in their financial literacy, empowering them to be take control of their financial lives. This liberation had a positive impact on their lives, beyond finances, with reported growth in all five asset areas: financial, personal, human, physical and social. Participants reported being better able to meet their basic needs (food, shelter, clothing), while also reducing debts and saving money each month. Early indications suggest that many of these improvements can be sustained up to six months after program completion." - 2023 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.
