The Financial Empowerment and Well-Being Program (FEWP)
If you are experiencing financial troubles, FEWP can help. The program, funded in part by the government of Canada, offers free workshops, referrals, and resources to support low-income, racialized, and equity-deserving communities.
About FEWP
FEWP is designed to help you overcome your financial troubles, including struggling with banking, savings, overspending, budgeting, tax issues, low credit scores, payday loans, and more, by providing two types of FREE support:
- Resources: Improve your financial literacy by exploring a wide range of financial topics through videos, self-directed modules, booklets, and templates. Visit the resources section of this webpage for:
- Videos
- Self-directed modules
- Financial playbook
- Financial strategy templates
- Tax clinics (available only in March and April)
- Workshops: You can get personalized guidance through in-person and virtual workshops if you meet program eligibility and sign up for the program.
Program Structure
FEWP offers guidance to help you make informed financial decisions. Our local case managers work with referral partners, including government, financial, social, and revenue agencies, to provide the right support to address your financial troubles. This free program is delivered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto and partially funded by the Government of Canada's Social Development Partnerships Program.
FEWP is delivered in six locations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in the regions of Durham, Peel, Toronto and York: Etobicoke | Mississauga | North York | Pickering | Richmond Hill | Scarborough Milner (See program locations below for complete details). Sign up now, and a local case manager will invite you to a workshop to explain program details further.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for this program, you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or conventional refugee
- Low-income, racialized, and equity-deserving
Program Topics & Benefits
FEWP covers a wide range of financial topics through videos, self-directed modules, booklets, and templates available for FREE in the resources section of this page. You can also gain personalized guidance through in-person and virtual workshops if you meet program eligibility and sign up for the program.
- Banking & insurance
- Financial management tools
- Income and expenses
- Budgeting and savings
- Investing
- Income tax & benefits
- Mortgages
- Credit & debt management
- Credit scores
- Cash advance & payday loans
- Financial planning
- Retirement planning
- Identity theft & financial fraud protection
- Cryptocurrency
- Government benefits
FEWP participants learn how to plan, monitor and manage their finances and will gain from the below:
- Conduct day-to-day banking, such as opening and managing a bank account
- Budget, track income and expenses, and save
- Learn about investing
- Find and apply for government credits and benefits, like social assistance, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), and more
- Improve your credit score
- Manage credit crises and debt
- Maximize tax returns and government benefits
- Build assets and handle mortgages (revaluation or reassessment)
- Recognize potential financial fraud
- Access free tax clinics during tax season
- Be referred to government, financial, social, and revenue agencies
Sign up now, and a member from our team of local case managers will get in touch with eligible candidates to explain program details further.
Program Resources
Videos
Financial Literacy - Introduction to Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy - Budget and Saving
Financial Literacy - Credit Cards & Bad Credit
Financial Literacy - Payday Loans - What Are They?
Financial Literacy - First Home Buying Tips
Financial Literacy - Investing - Understanding the Risks
Self-Directed Modules
The self-directed modules by FEWP cover important financial topics that will help you manage your day-to-day finances better. In order to access the FREE courses, you will be redirected to YMCA Ignite, the LMS platform where you need to register.
- Income, Expenses, & Budget
- Banking, Insurance, and Financial Tools
- Saving
- Investment
- Credit and Debit Management
- Mortgages
- Income Tax and Benefits
- Retirement Planning
- Financial Planning
- Identity Theft and Fraud Protection
- New Financial Challenges
Your Financial Playbook
The financial playbook is designed to help you understand topics related to day-to-day financial management. You will be introduced to income, expenses, budgeting, savings, insurance, credit scores, credit cards, debt management, financial prudence for real estate and protecting yourself from frauds. Download this great tool and learn how you can manage your finances better!
Financial Strategy Templates
These templates are tools for tracking and monitoring your income, expenses, savings, and budget. Simply input your financial numbers to see whether you’re on track to achieving your goals. Download the templates now and start managing your finances effectively.
Tax Clinics
Gain support in filing personal/household taxes in March and April by CRA volunteers through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).
Sign Up
Program Locations
Durham Region
Pickering YMCA Employment and Community Services
1550 Kingston Road, Unit 16,
Pickering, Ontario
L1V 1C3
905-427-7670
Peel Region
Mississauga YMCA Employment and Community Services
55 City Centre Drive #100
Mississauga, Ontario
L5B 1M3
905-276-9322
Toronto Region
Etobicoke YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services
1530 Albion Road #83
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9V 1B4
416-741-8714
North York YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services
4580 Dufferin Street #2
North York, Ontario
M3H 5Y2
416-635-9622
Scarborough Milner YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services
10 Milner Business Court #600
Scarborough, Ontario
M1B 3C6
416-609-9622
York Region
Richmond Hill YMCA Employment and Community Services
10610 Bayview Avenue, Unit 12
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4C 3N8
905-780-9622
FEWP FAQ
How can I start this program?
Sign up now and a local case manager will invite you to a workshop to explain program details further.
Who is eligible?
Please check the program eligibility section for participation criteria.
How long does FEWP take?
The duration of the program depends on your individual needs and how many workshops, webinars, and counselling sessions you take. This program covers short, medium, and long-term services. Regular follow-ups and meetings with a case manager help participants achieve their short-term and long-term financial objectives.
What makes the FEWP unique?
Refer to the program benefits section to learn about what makes the program unique.
How much does it cost to participate in FEWP?
This program is free for eligible participants and is partially funded by the Government of Canada's Social Development Partnerships Program.
Where is the program offered?
The program has several components and resources. The virtual workshops, videos, self-directed modules, financial playbook, and strategic spreadsheet templates are available online. The in-person workshops and counselling are available across the GTA at six locations:
Etobicoke | Mississauga | North York | Pickering | Richmond Hill | Scarborough Milner
Can I learn by myself?
Yes, you can! We offer a self-learning platform that allows you to learn at your own pace. It includes self-directed modules on a variety of financial topics.
What if I relocate across the GTA?
We have case managers in Etobicoke, Mississauga, North York, Pickering, Richmond Hill, and Scarborough. We will connect you to a local case manager according to your needs.
Can I walk in to explore FEWP services?
To get further details, it’s best to sign up for the program and attend the introductory workshop. While you can visit any of our locations, our local case managers may be busy with prior appointments.
Disclaimer: The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.