HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA (February 29, 2016) – Two Enactus teams have been named 2016 Capital One Financial Education Challenge Regional Champions by this country’s largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, and proud program supporter, Capital One Canada.
Teams at Saint Mary’s University and Memorial University of Newfoundland are driving positive change through the following community empowerment projects:
Enactus Saint Mary’s empowered at-risk youth in Halifax with financial literacy skills needed to join the work force, start their own businesses, find sustainable employment and return to school. Through their project Options: Youth, 69 young people have been lifted out of poverty, eight are pursuing post-secondary education and six have created their own businesses.
Enactus Memorial provided local student entrepreneurs with both tangible and intangible financial education resources to assist in the running of their ventures while they are still studying full-time. Through their project Launch Pad, 155 people received financial literacy training which led to the opening of 14 new businesses over $25,000 in increased revenue for student-run businesses.
“Through this challenge, Enactus students are empowered to drive real and tangible change within their communities by sharing their financial knowledge and skills with people in need,” said Ian Hanning, Chief Financial Officer of Capital One Canada. “At Capital One, we are committed to supporting programs that help people make informed financial choices, and every year we are continually impressed with how the students are positively impacting the financial futures of the people they help.”
The Capital One Financial Education Challenge is a national competition empowering post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that teach relevant financial skills. Since 2006, this challenge has engaged 7,125 students across the country, resulting in the delivery of 779 financial education outreach projects and directly impacting 115,950 community participants.
Student teams demonstrated the impact of their financial education projects to panels of business executives on February 26 in Halifax as part of the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition – Atlantic Canada. The winning Enactus teams stood out to the judges because of their dedication to empowering people in need within their community.
“Through these projects, our student teams are transforming lives by empowering people financially,” said Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. “We are incredibly proud of our student leaders and their work to empower people across Canada through financial literacy education.”
These teams will now move on to the national level of competition taking place May 2-4 at the 2016 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto, Ontario.
-30-
ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, this country’s largest student leadership development organization, is shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,650 entrepreneurial post-secondary students led 288 community empowerment projects and business ventures this past year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 36 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
ABOUT CAPITAL ONE: With offices in Toronto and Montreal, Capital One Canada has been offering Canadian consumers a range of competitive MasterCard credit cards since 1996. We challenge ourselves to see the world through the eyes of our customers, so we can deliver the market leading credit products and exceptional service they’re looking for. Capital One Canada is a division of Capital One Bank, a subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation of McLean, Virginia (NYSE: COF). Capital One is committed to investing in youth in our communities through program investment and the skills and dedication of our talented associates.
Media Inquiries:
Jody Lundrigan
Director of Communications
Enactus Canada
E: jody@enactus.ca
M: 416.346.0131