From stuck to starting over: How financial empowerment support changed Linda’s life and outlook

Like most people during the pandemic, Linda was struggling. Unfortunately, her situation became even more precarious due to lost income. At 51, after 17 years in the same job, she had been laid off. Despite multiple job applications (over 300) she hadn’t been invited to a single interview. The barriers stacked up: no working cell phone, no home internet, no updated résumé. Ontario Works (OW) provided $343 a month for Basic Needs—but she had no other sources of income. It’s hard to look for work when you have limited tools to communicate. 

At her first meeting with WoodGreen Community Services’ Financial Empowerment (FE) Social Worker, Linda finally felt supported. Her FE Social Worker knew what to do to provide some relief, checking for benefits she might be eligible for. They walked through OW benefits and completed a benefit screening. Linda learned she qualified for employment supports and monetary benefits she hadn’t accessed before. With clear information in hand, Linda connected with her OW caseworker and enrolled in a hybrid skills training program covering résumé writing, customer service, and skills upgrading. (Note: since then, OW employment services have shifted—training and job-search supports are now delivered through Employment Ontario/IES providers rather than directly by OW.)  

Then came a practical change that mattered. Linda had recently moved in with a friend, paying $400 a month in rent. When this update was provided to OW, her monthly amount increased to $733—an additional $390. With guidance from her FE Social Worker, Linda also accessed monthly discretionary benefits to support transportation ($100/month). For the first time in a long time, the essentials for job search were in reach: a connection, a way to travel, a plan. 

Targeted employment-related supports filled the remaining gaps. Through reBOOT Canada, a program that provides affordable computers for Canadian residents receiving social assistance, she purchased a computer—plus a keyboard, webcam, and speakers—for $80. With tools on her desk and a course underway, the job hunt started to look possible. 

Momentum built. After completing the job search skills training program through WoodGreen Community Services, Linda attended several interviews. Soon, she was offered a part-time position with the Toronto District School Board. Her words say it best: she felt “the most confident [she] had in years” and was looking forward to the journey ahead. 

For Canadians living on low incomes, Linda’s story shows how progress can follow a sequence: first, confirm eligibility and update your file (even a change like rent can increase support); next, secure computer access and transportation so training and applications are doable; then, add focused tools and skills to move from searching to interviewing. Each step removes a barrier. Together, they create a path. 

For financial service providers and community organizations, her journey underscores the impact of a simple, thorough benefit screening paired with timely, practical supports. Clear information, coordinated referrals, and modest investments in equipment can turn “no interviews” into a real offer. 

We’re so grateful for our incredible funders. Thanks to Coast Capital, Prosper Canada can expand community financial empowerment and achieve meaningful results like Linda’s. 

If you or someone you serve is facing similar barriers, start with a benefit screening and ask about employment supports and technology access programs in your community. As Linda’s experience shows, the road back to work often begins with that first conversation—and builds, step by step, into something new.