New partnership supports students

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Fuelled by a healthy financial contribution and the volunteerism of Chinook Financial employees, local students will continue to partake in an educational opportunity to become financially knowledgeable and future-oriented.
Roughly 75 Grade 9-10 students at Holy Cross Collegiate and the Standard School will benefit from the Economics for Success program, which has been initiated by Junior Achievement for nearly a decade. The continuation of the program in the fall received a financial boost from Chinook Financial in mid-March when the institution – a division of Connect First Credit Union – partnered with Junior Achievement Southern Alberta and injected $15,000 into the project over the next year; $3,500 in Strathmore.
“The program that they’re sponsoring, is a program to give students an opportunity to see what their future might look like or what kind of planning they might have to do in order to have a successful future,” said Tristan Periard, regional coordinator for Junior Achievement. “It had been an ongoing discussion with Chinook Financial and they’ve always been very involved in our programs and in other regions. We’ve always had a good base with Chinook Financial in Strathmore, so through this partnership it’s kind of created a new direction in communities.”
Economics for Success (EFS) encourages students to excel at school and gain valuable knowledge, relevant skills, and a financial grasp to propel them onto their chosen career path. The funding will expand the program throughout southern Alberta in 13 communities and affect roughly 900 students. These communities include Brooks, Drumheller, Hussar, Hanna, Nanton, and Vulcan.
As the programs for the Strathmore and Wheatland County region have already been completed, the funds and volunteers will be utilized for the program in the fall.
“We feel very privileged to have the opportunity to volunteer in our local classrooms and to help youth explore their potential,” said Scot Hadden, president of Chinook Financial. “Our support of the Economics for Success program is a great way for our team to get out in these communities and get engaged with our students. I know our staff loves to do it, and they always tell me they find it very fulfilling and life enriching.”
The Boston Consulting Group conducted a study of Junior Achievement alumni in Canada in 2010. The results found that the programs produced more financially literate graduates who saved more money, borrowed less, and went bankrupt less often than the average Canadian. The graduates were also 50 per cent more likely to open their own business, and were 25 per cent less likely to be unemployed. The study also showed that the Junior Achievement graduates earned an average income that was 50 per cent higher than non-alumni.
Junior Achievement will allocate the funds to provide volunteer training, booklets, letters and printing and any other materials required for the program. With economic uncertainties currently facing Alberta, the program will also prepare students of the financial realities of attending post-secondary while educating them on present-day and future career trends. The program will be available in the fall.