(HALIFAX) 20 March 2017 – The unemployment rate for Canadians with autism is a staggering 85 per cent. With Autism Nova Scotia and Ready Willing and Able, students from Enactus Saint Mary’s created Autism Works Entrepreneurship, a program that provides individualized consulting expertise to help individuals with autism start and grow their business ventures.
Similarly, students in Newfoundland are tackling the high youth unemployment rate through three unique initiatives: a second hand clothing boutique, a food security hydroponic initiative and a 14-module financial literacy curriculum.
Thanks to these initiatives, Enactus Saint Mary’s and Enactus Memorial University of Newfoundland have been named 2017 Capital One Financial Education Challenge Regional Champions by Canada’s largest experiential learning platform, Enactus Canada, and program supporter Capital One Canada.
In only 10 months, Autism Works Entrepreneurship has expanded its client base from seven to thirteen clients across five provinces, helping capable entrepreneurs increase revenues by $76,275.
Through Enactus Memorial’s Your Turn Boutique, Project Sucseed and their Scotiabank Financial Education Program, they have employed 14 youth, generating $26,942 in employment income, directly impacting 685 people.
“Through this challenge, we’ve seen first-hand how Enactus student-entrepreneurs are helping to turn Canadians’ goals and dreams into reality by sharing skills, knowledge, and most importantly the tools they need to make smart financial decisions,” said Mary Simone, Sr. Director, Capital One Canada. “At Capital One, we are fiercely committed to helping Canadians succeed by opening up possibilities to understand how to manage their money.”
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 2012, this challenge has engaged 6,316 students across the country, resulting in 620 financial education outreach projects, and directly impacting the financial futures of 69,826 people.
Student teams demonstrated the impact of their financial education projects to panels of business executives on March 17 in Halifax as part of the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition – Atlantic Canada.
“Financial literacy is an issue affecting many Canadians,” said Nicole Almond, President of Enactus Canada. “Through this challenge, Enactus students provide people in need with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions.”
Enactus Saint Mary’s and Enactus Memorial University of Newfoundland will now move on to the national level of competition taking place May 9-11 at the 2017 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Vancouver.
ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,734 entrepreneurial post-secondary students led 280 community empowerment projects and business ventures last 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, Kitchener-Waterloo 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. To learn more visit: www.capitalone.ca/enactus
Media Inquiries:
Jennifer Falzon
Director, Marketing & Strategic Growth, Enactus Canada
jen@enactus.ca | 416.304.1566 x222 | 416.315.2099