Problem Statement

Financial literacy is an essential life skill. Studies show that Canadian personal debt is at a record high. Canadian youth are growing up in a time of crisis, in which spending is easier than ever, and it can seem like debt is a way of life. Canadian youth are at high risk of not building the skills they need to manage money appropriately and successfully throughout their life. 

Proposed Solution & target audience

The Ottawa Hub intends on addressing this solution locally through a series of short, and impactful workshops targeted towards youth groups (ages 7 to 13, and 18 to 30).

Hub Activities

Workshop structure for youth ages 7 to 13: 

• Imagine an elementary school gym with different activity stations, children moving around from one station to another, making imaginary dollars and spending or investing them; the place is buzzing and bustling, like a bee hive. Similarly, to the real world of money, this temporary imaginary world is in a state of constant momentum and excitement. 

• The course focuses on engaging young kids, their parents and teachers in activities or tasks for which they were paid in imaginary Canadian dollars. Subsequently, they make purchases and exchange these dollars for products and services, save it, or invest it and redeem some rewards later in the day. Each station is manned by a Shaper (or parent/teacher/volunteer if need be) who will - depending on the nature of the station - be responsible for either explaining the task to be performed in exchange for money, or help children understand what is involved when they choose to spend money as opposed to invest or save them.

Workshop Structure for youth ages 18 to 30:

In 2020 - After recognizing a growing need within the community, due to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, the Ottawa Shapers decided to extend their Financial Literacy Workshop series to youth between the ages of 18 and 30. A series of the following workshops were offered in 2020: 

• Fundamentals of Financial Literacy


• Budgeting 101


• Investment 101


• Money Diaries

Short-Term Goals

The first FinLit session was held in the Summer of 2018. When this project first launched, the immediate goal of the hub, was to design an engaging project that would be well received by youth, that could be replicated, from year to year.

• 27 youth between the ages of 7 and 13 participated in the first session held by the hub. 


• In a survey conducted by the Ottawa Shapers, +90% of participants reported being satisfied by the workshop offered.

Long-Term Goal

In the long-term, the Ottawa Hub endeavors to:

• Design an impactful course offering that can be replicated from year to year.


• Scaling the project by increasing the number of participants attending each year.


• Expanding course offerings to different age groups and demographics.


• We are so excited to announce that we are on track to achieve our long-term targets. 


• After our first workshop in 2019, we have perfected the design of a workshop offering for youth between the ages of 7 and 13.


• As a result of COVID-19, we were able to transition our workshops digitally, which resulted in an increase in the number of participants that could attend our workshops.


• In 2020, we designed a new series of workshops targeted at a new youth group (ages 18 to 30). 

Available Metrics

• How many people did this project reach? 190 participants


• How many Shapers participated? 15


• What feedback have you received on the project so far? Survey feedback from youth between the ages of 7 and 13, reported +90% course satisfaction.