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Home / Programs / Life Empowerment Skills and Education / Empower U
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 are more vulnerable to poverty. This can result from a variety of circumstances.
Throughout the program, participants learn how to:
Empower U includes nine two-hour modules delivered over 10 to 14 weeks, depending on the agency. The modules covered by the program 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.
Ten 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
Empower U groups are offered three times a year, once a week for 10 weeks. Phone: (780) 784-2203
Located in west Edmonton, Empower U groups are offered four times a year, once a week for 16 weeks. Each group is designed to accommodate the participants schedule and location. Phone: (780) 479-8195
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
Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for ten weeks. Phone: (780) 426-4985
Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for 11 weeks at varying locations. Phone: (780) 554-0894
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
Empower U groups are offered twice a year, once a week for 10 weeks. Phone: (780) 667-8441
Empower U groups are offered three times a year, once a week for 12 weeks. Phone: (780) 496-9224
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
23 Empower U groups were held with 218 participants enrolled.
169 participants completed the program, a 77.5% completion rate. 80 participants cashed out their matched savings accounts.
Participants saved a total of $42,660 and purchased 80 assets.
92.9% and 88.9% report increased self-esteem and self confidence, respectively.
