Impact Report

Eloise came to a Financial Empowerment Champion organization seeking options to manage a longstanding payday loan problem. Living on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and coping with a brain injury, she had relied on payday loans to cover groceries and essentials, but the high-interest payments left her trapped in a cycle of debt and stress.

During their meeting, the financial counsellor completed a financial assessment and discovered the client’s monthly expenses exceeded her income. Together, they reviewed her rights as a consumer, developed a plan to stop her payday loan payments, and secured a new bank account to prevent further withdrawals. The financial counsellor also helped her apply for the Ontario Electricity Support Program, Trillium Drug Fund, and Disability Tax Credit, connecting her to important financial relief and health supports she qualified for.

By her second appointment, Eloise felt empowered and relieved — finally able to budget, pay her bills, and buy groceries again. She expressed deep gratitude for the compassionate support and guidance that had helped her regain both her financial and emotional stability.

During a workshop delivered to a local harm reduction program, Tim learned about the free financial help offered by a Financial Empowerment Champions (FECs) Partner and booked an appointment to file his taxes.

Through conversation, the FEC Partner discovered that Tim had not claimed rent on his tax returns for the past ten years, significantly reducing his eligibility for Ontario Trillium Benefits. The FEC Partner submitted T1 Adjustments dating back to 2012, helping Susan recover more than $5,000 in retroactive benefits.

Together, they developed a realistic budget and savings plan to help him secure new housing and manage his expenses while job searching. A few months later, Tim called to share good news that he had found a job and wanted to update his budget based on his new income.

This success story demonstrates how accessible, judgment-free financial help not only puts money back into people’s pockets but also builds the skills, confidence, and stability needed to create lasting change.

Miriam, a 72-year-old woman living alone in rent-geared-to-income housing, saw her financial stability collapse after receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) in 2020. Like many seniors, she faced an unexpected reduction in her Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments because of her temporary income increase from CERB. With her pension payments cut nearly in half, Miriam struggled to cover an unexpected increase in her rent, as well as utilities and food. As a result, her health suffered because she could no longer afford the special diet she needed.

When Miriam connected with a Financial Empowerment Champion (FEC) organization in her community for help, staff quickly identified that the cause of her rent increase was a missing Notice of Assessment required for her annual rent review. They helped her to file her taxes, submit the necessary documentation to Toronto Community Housing, and apply for benefits she had been missing. They also linked her to a mobile food bank that delivers specialized meals to people with chronic illnesses.

At a follow-up meeting, Miriam shared her relief: she had received a lump-sum GIS repayment, and her rent had been recalculated. With her income restored and supports in place, she could finally focus on her health and well-being again.

When Jackie reached out to Thunder Bay Counselling, a Financial Empowerment Champion partner, she was in financial crisis. Years of health challenges had forced her to leave work and rely on social assistance, but her income no longer covered her basic expenses. Facing eviction and legal action for overdue accounts, Jackie was overwhelmed by mounting stress and the fear of losing her home.

Working with a financial counsellor, Jackie gained a clear understanding of her financial and legal situation and was connected to community legal support. Together, they used the Benefits Wayfinder to identify benefits she was eligible for but not receiving and developed a plan to apply for them. The counsellor also helped her communicate with creditors and legal representatives, preventing eviction and easing her immediate financial pressures.

Today, Jackie’s housing is secure and she continues to work with her counsellor to update her budget and finalize benefit applications. Grateful for the support she received, Jackie calls the experience a “lifesaver” that has given her the confidence and tools to rebuild her financial future.

Financial well-being means more than just meeting expenses; it’s about stability, peace of mind, and the confidence to make choices that improve your quality of life now and in the future. Yet, for many Canadians with lower incomes, financial stress remains a daily reality. Research shows that over half of Canadians earning under $50,000 describe their financial situation as poor or terrible, with many struggling to meet basic needs.

Recognizing this, Prosper Canada used a service-design approach to co-create a new online course, Making the Most of Your Money. Co-designing the course with people with direct experience of low income, including Ontario Works participants, and with frontline service providers, helped to identify the real barriers people face limited emotional bandwidth, distrust of financial systems, and difficulty accessing relevant, plain-language information.

The resulting course provides accessible, practical guidance on managing income, reducing expenses, and planning. Since its launch, the course has become a valued resource for learners and practitioners alike, helping users discover benefits, understand budgeting, and build their financial confidence.

This project demonstrates how human-centred design can break down barriers and ensure that financial education truly reflects the needs and realities of those it aims to serve, deepening inclusion and strengthening the foundation for financial stability.

For many people living in Canada, managing money isn’t just about numbers, it’s about confidence, stability, and the freedom to make choices that advance your life goals. But without access to the right tools and guidance, even those with education and ambition can find financial independence out of reach.

Jessica knows this first-hand. Despite earning multiple college and university certificates, she faced ongoing financial challenges and relied on disability benefits to make ends meet. Determined to take control of her finances, Jessica enrolled in Making the Most of Your Money which is an accessible, interactive, online course created by Prosper Canada’s Learning and Training team in partnership with the Ontario Securities Commission.

Through easy-to-follow lessons, activities, and practical tips, Jessica learned strategies for budgeting, saving, and protecting herself from fraud. She found the course relevant and approachable, offering advice she could immediately apply, such as using cash instead of debit to stay within budget. “The course provides valuable information on how to budget money and offers money-saving tips that can be applied to daily life,” Jessica shared.

Jessica’s experience shows that when financial education is designed to meet people where they are, it can unlock not just new skills but also the confidence to plan ahead and build financial independence. Her story is one of empowerment, proof that accessible, inclusive learning can change both knowledge and mindset.