Each One, Teach One

People’s financial well-being depends on their ability to understand and use financial information in a way that helps them make good decisions. That’s why Vancity launched its Each One, Teach One financial literacy workshops, run in partnership with various public library systems including Vancouver, Surrey, North Vancouver City, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster, Maple Ridge and Victoria.

Topics include taxation and tax filing, contracts, and developing a credit history. Other sessions cover basic banking and budgeting, and understanding the credit bureau, loans, credit cards & prepaid cards, seniors financial abuse prevention and fraud prevention. Since 2008, more than 300 Vancity employees, with almost 30 language competencies, have taught over 20,000 individuals through this program. In 2011, Each One, Teach One won the 2011 National Credit Union Award for Community Economic Development.

Many workshops are also run in partnership with community organizations that work with newcomers, refugees, individuals who face barriers to financial services, and people living in low-income communities. These events can be designed for groups as small as seven people or as large as 100, and can meet any time requirement, from one hour to a full-day. Workshops are delivered in English with key concepts translated into other languages.