Financial Literacy Leader Jane Rooney to speak at a Money Matters Session at George Brown College
(Toronto – November 3, 2014) – Nearly 50% of Canadians struggle with simple tasks involving math and numbers. Beyond the personal impact to individuals and families, low numeracy skills could affect Canada’s ability to compete in the global economy. This November ABC Life Literacy Canada (ABC) celebrates Financial Literacy Month by raising awareness of the importance of numeracy and money management.
Financial Literacy is an essential skill that refers to our ability to understand finances as they impact our lives and our confidence to use our skills and knowledge to make sound decisions around finances. Increasing the abilities and comfort level of Canadians to manage their finances and the use of math in everyday life is essential—it supports secure households, a dynamic workplace, healthy communities and a competitive economy.
In partnership with TD Bank Group (TD), ABC created Money Matters, a free financial literacy program for adult learners. Now in its fifth year, Money Matters is making an impact across Canada—for learners and for the volunteer-tutors:
· Over 250 Money Matters sessions across Canada, reaching over 4,000 adult learners
· 550 TD employees have volunteered with Money Matters and 97% said they would participate again
· 89% of Money Matters participants felt more confident making decisions about saving money after the program
“Improving one's financial literacy skills is incredibly important for the health and prosperity of our country and can even be life changing for adults and their families," said Linda MacKay, Senior Vice-President, Retail Savings and Investing, TD Bank Group. “As a bank, TD has the unique ability, through expertise and relationships with millions of consumers, to help build a financially literate society—our employees who volunteer their knowledge and time to facilitate Money Matters sessions see first-hand the difference they are making in the communities where we live and work.”
ABC will kick off Financial Literacy Month at George Brown College where Financial Literacy Leader Jane Rooney will join students in a Money Matters session. ABC will also host a tweet chat featuring financial literacy guru Gail Vaz-Oxlade on November 18th from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST to talk all things money-related using the hashtag #FLMchat.
“Financial literacy is about lifelong learning and that’s why I am thrilled to see organizations such as ABC Life Literacy Canada deliver innovative programs like Money Matters,” said Jane Rooney, Financial Literacy Leader. “Money Matters students will develop the financial management skills needed to build their personal financial knowledge.”
In honour of Financial Literacy Month, ABC is running twenty-six Money Matters sessions across Canada this November. Tools and resources to help all Canadians improve their money management skills are also available free online, including three downloadable guides: A Place to Start: Spending Plans, Financial Literacy for the Family and RESPs and Other Ways to Save. Access these guides and many other financial literacy resources at: MoneyMattersCanada.ca. French resources are available at QuestionDargent.ca.
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About ABC Life Literacy Canada
ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization that inspires Canadians to increase their literacy skills. ABC envisions a Canada where everyone has the skills they need to live a fully engaged life. Money Matters, developed by ABC in partnership with TD Bank Group is a free financial literacy and education savings program delivered to adult learners across Canada. For the latest news and information on adult literacy please visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca, or stay connected with us through Twitter and Facebook. For more information about Money Matters, please visit: MoneyMattersCanada.ca.
About TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to affect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2013, TD donated over $74.7 million to support community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit http://www.td.com/corporate-responsibility.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Wells
Manager, Communications
ABC Life Literacy Canada
Telephone: 416-218-0010, ext. 122
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