Blog

In the heart of Bowmanville, Ontario, the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank stands as a beacon of hope for the community. The food bank helps community members in need, having served 3,200 clients in 2022 and continuing to support 120-150 families each month in 2023. Last year, 36 per cent of their clients were new and were graciously assisted by volunteers who dedicated over 5,000 hours to the cause. The influx of new clients and the hours served by volunteers stands as a testament to the changing times we live in, marked by food insecurity and housing crises that have taken a toll on low-income individuals, sometimes leaving them homeless. St. Vincent de Paul and similar organizations offer support and assistance for those who are struggling.

WoodGreen Community Services, a pillar of support in Toronto, positively impacts the lives of 37,000 individuals annually. Their diverse initiatives range from enhancing seniors' well-being to aiding newcomers in their Canadian journey, addressing housing challenges, and preparing youth for the workforce. As a significant United Way of Toronto member, WoodGreen actively contributes innovative solutions for pressing social needs, earning recognition across the Greater Toronto Area.  WoodGreen also has considerable experience in helping low-income adults to improve their financial well-being. Their Financial Empowerment (FE) Program endeavours to alleviate and help individuals transition out of poverty through offering a full suite of specialized empowerment interventions, including financial literacy workshops, one-on-one financial counselling, benefits assessments, and free year-round income tax preparation. Prosper Canada is honored to collaborate with such impactful community organizations like WoodGreen. In this spotlight, we explore recent successes, encountered challenges, valuable lessons learned, and an inspiring client story that underscores the transformative impact of their efforts.

In a recent interview with Danielle Thibaudeau from the Commissioner of Social Services’s Office at The Regional Municipality of Durham, Prosper Canada delved into the world of financial empowerment and the unique challenges faced by low-income Canadians. Danielle, Policy Advisor in the Strategic Partnerships and Priority Teams within the Social Services Department Commissioner's Office, shared her insights into the importance of financial resources, collaborations with non-profits like Prosper Canada, and the impact of the Making the Most of Your Money resource. The resource is a free online course designed to help individuals and families living with low income learn about money in an accessible way. It was developed by Prosper Canada with the generous financial support from Ontario Securities Commission and has been implemented by the Region of Durham to facilitate financial education within its community.

Dr. Gary Bloch, a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, has spent years treating patients living on a low income for many illnesses he believes are linked to poverty. In fact, studies have shown that Canadians living in poverty are more likely to suffer from illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental illness, cancer and other chronic conditions than the typical Canadian.