Financial Literacy for Young People's Success
Learn How to Manage Your Money
When it comes to their finances, teens and young adults (aged 24 and under) need the right education and tools to make sound financial decisions.
Our convivial approach teaches youth the basics of financial security using educational resources and fun activities. Our intervention staff promotes hands-on learning while fostering financial independence and autonomy and building confidence.
Opportunities for the Future
For Malka, learning how to manage her money means giving herself the possibility to make her entrepreneurial dreams come true.
“I’m usually home alone and I make my own food. I have learned how to teach others, to work in a group, and I help my mom prepare meals. In the cooking workshop offered through the Financial Literacy Program, I found out that scholarships are available for racially diverse teens. I had always assumed that my mom would be the one paying for my education. I know that the one I want will be expensive. I also know that I can’t just rely on my mom to pay for it, but that I can actually finance my education myself. Now, I spend less on groceries, and manage to save money. I would like to learn more about entrepreneurship, because my goal is to open up my own restaurant. I would also like to learn more about saving money.”
– Malka, 17-year-old participant in the YMCA’s Lunch-and-Learn-to-Cook Workshop
Learning to Save Through Accessible and Engaging Content
The challenge young people face is learning how to manage their money and developing a healthy relationship with it. The financial literacy program offered at the Y teaches young people about money:
- what it means
- how to earn it and use it wisely
- how to deal with debt, and
- how to create a personal budget with an eye on the future
A healthy relationship with money should be cultivated through an optimistic and convivial approach. Because learning responsibility starts with education and the right tools, but it should also be fun.
From September 2021 to August 2022, the YMCA’s financial literacy program welcome 959 participants and organized:
- 95 workshops
- 10 training sessions
- 9 conferences
The program does not follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, we use interactive workshops, training, conferences, and even pizza and investment nights! Learning is continuous and over the course of the different programs, fun activities and workshops are provided within the existing framework. So, depending on the nature of the program and the socio-economic background of the participants, the content can be tailored to everyone’s specific needs.
Numerous activities are held to support learning, such as creating guides for practitioners, customized training units for young people, content for a variety of programs, fun activities, videos made by youth for youth, as well as thematic conferences and workshops.
Thank You to Our Partner
The information contained on this web page represents the views and opinions of the individuals involved and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Manulife, its affiliates or associates, nor does it reflect the views of The YMCAs of Québec and its Foundation.
Manulife, Stylized M Design and Manulife & Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used here under license.
An Initiative That Makes Good Use of the Other Programs at the Y
We know that extra learning is a hard sell with young people. That’s why this initiative is integrated into the Y’s other programs, so that interest comes more naturally, and participation is more direct. In a nutshell, we meet them where they are.
