Impact Report

One client came to a Financial Empowerment Champion (FEC) Partner seeking options to manage a long-standing payday loan. Living on ODSP and coping with a brain injury, she had relied on the loan to cover groceries and essentials, but the high-interest payments left her trapped in a cycle of debt and stress.

During their meeting, the FEC Partner completed a financial assessment and discovered the client was living in monthly deficit. Together, they reviewed her rights as a consumer, developed a plan to stop payments on the payday loan, and secured a new bank account to prevent further withdrawals. The FEC Partner also connected her to the Ontario Electricity Support Program, Trillium Drug Fund, and Disability Tax Credit, ensuring she could access financial relief and health supports she qualified for.

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

At a tax and ID clinic hosted with the local Ontario Works office in Wikwemikong, a young participant hesitated to file his taxes. He had avoided filing for eight years after being told by a commercial tax preparer that he would owe more than $800 — an amount he couldn’t afford.

Encouraged by the Financial Empowerment Champion (FEC) team, he agreed to review his file. After assessing his situation, the volunteer determined that not only did he not owe money — he was eligible for a refund. With support from the clinic, all eight years of returns were completed, and the participant received more than $5,000 in refunds and benefits, including GST and Trillium payments.

Overjoyed by the outcome, he returned with three friends in similar situations, each of whom also received refunds after years of unfiled taxes. His enthusiasm sparked a wave of community referrals, spreading awareness of free, accessible financial help and inspiring others to take the first step toward financial wellness.

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

Through conversation, the FEC Partner discovered that the client 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 the client 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, the client 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 Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) in 2020. Like many seniors, she faced an unexpected reduction in her Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) because of temporary income increases. With her pension payments cut nearly in half, Miriam struggled to cover rent, utilities, and food as a result her health was suffering as she could no longer afford the special diet she needed.

When Miriam connected with a Financial Empowerment Champion (FEC) Partner, the team quickly identified the source of her rent increase was a missing Notice of Assessment required for her annual rent review. The FEC helped her file outstanding 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, an FEC partner, she was in financial crisis. Years of health challenges had forced her to leave work and rely on Ontario Works, 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. The counsellor also helped her communicate with creditors and legal representatives, preventing eviction and easing immediate financial pressure.

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”, one that has given her the confidence and tools to rebuild her financial future.

Financial well-being means more than meeting expenses it is about peace of mind, stability, and the confidence to make choices that improve quality of life. Yet for many Canadians living on low 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. Developed with input from people with lived and living experience of low income, Ontario Works participants, and frontline practitioners, the process helped 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 for the future. Since its launch, it has become a valued resource for learners and practitioners alike, helping users discover benefits, understand budgeting, and build financial confidence.

This project demonstrates how human-centered design can break down barriers and ensure that financial education truly reflects the needs and realities of those it aims to serve while 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 improve quality of life. 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 & 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 only 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.