Launch Okanagan

Financial Literacy to move forward in life.

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Local financial services community gathers this November for Financial LIteracy Month

 

October 25, 2022  (Kelowna, BC) – Launch Okanagan welcomes national media personality and personal finance expert Kelley Keehn on November 8, 2022 as the keynote speaker at a breakfast fundraiser supporting access to  financial literacy programs in our community. The inaugural fundraiser will see hundreds of local business and financial services community members gathering at the Coast Capri Hotel for a sit-down breakfast to celebrate Financial Literacy Month and learn more about the importance of financial education.

 

Kelley Keehn is the best-selling author of eleven books including her last two titles, Talk Money to Me and Rich Girl, Broke Girl. She’s the financial authority on The Marilyn Denis show, The Morning Show on Global National, Breakfast television, and previously hosted Burn My Mortgage on the W Network. Kelley has made thousands of radio and TV appearances around the globe and travels across the country, speaking to some of Canada’s largest corporations. More info on Kelley at: www.kelleykeehn.com 

 

The fundraiser will feature an online 50/50 raffle as well as “double your donation”, thanks to an anonymous local donor. The fundraiser will support the maintenance and expansion of Launch Okanagan programs in our community.

 

Last year, the non-profit delivered 25 programs to 275 participants. Launch Okanagan also  partners with other local charities and community organizations to supplement their program delivery. The majority of participants are youth, single moms and dads, families, and other individuals who develop crucial money management and budgeting skills in the programs.

 

More info plus event and 50/50  tickets available at: http://launchbreakfast.ca 

Event FAQ

 

Welcome to the Launch Okanagan inauguaral newsletter – Fall 2022

 

In this issue:

  • Year end reflection and annual impact;
  • Donor spotlight;
  • Launch Okanagan welcomes Kelley Keehn – a breakfast fundraiser November 8th;
  • What’s new – website refresh, new program facilitators and program updates;
  • Get involved!

Read the Fall newsletter

 

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I have always enjoyed the process of reflecting after a year has come to an end.  It’s an opportunity to celebrate successes and consider new ways of moving forward.  I feel grateful when I say that at Launch Okanagan, we have much to celebrate after last year.  It was truly a year of growth for us.  We grew our impact, our team, and our partnerships within the community.

 

Year over year we offered almost 10% more educational hours and served 16% more community members.  However, what is most impactful to me is reflecting on the interactions I have had with individuals participating in our programs.  Launch exists to help people build confidence in managing their money and to enable our community members to make better financial decisions. Watching that happen in real time is so exciting and rewarding.  Improving our relationship with money takes time, but it’s incredible to see what people can accomplish when they are encouraged and supported.

 

We have been fortunate to be able to expand our team this year. I’m grateful to be working alongside such talented people that are as passionate about our mission as I am.  We also have a dedicated Board of Directors that are always willing to jump in and help in every way possible.

 

At Launch, we love to build partnerships with other community organizations.  Most of our programs are offered in partnership with amazing community agencies.  We feel privileged to be able to work together to support our community members and are inspired by the work that they do.  We are also so fortunate to be able to receive support from local businesses, foundations and individuals that share the same values that we do.  We can’t run our programs without this support.  Thank you!

 

Finally, we are so excited about the year ahead.  We look forward to the new relationships we will build this year.  We are also excited to be able to come together to celebrate Financial Literacy month the morning of November 8th at the Coast Capri Hotel.  Please mark your calendars and join us to recognize how important it is for all community members to be given the opportunity to improve their financial literacy.  In our current environment, this is more important than ever.

 

Gratefully,

Jennifer Robins, Executive Director

Launch Okanagan

June 15, 2022 – Launch Okanagan recently completed another 8 week Dollars and Sense program and would like to take this opportunity to thank Crowe MacKay LLP for sponsoring it and enabling us to provide this program to the recent graduates!

Next Dollars and Sense class begins in September. We run this program on Zoom and it’s open to anyone to join. Check out the inspiring feedback from several new graduates and register now! https://launchokanagan.ca/programs/dollars-and-…

June 2022 – Launch Okanagan recently received a very generous grant from First West Foundation . We are so grateful to have such incredible support from a local corporate partner! We simply can’t operate without this kind of sustainable support.

These funds will be used to provide program partners, clients and participants with free access to our programs. You are helping build a brighter future for single parents, struggling families or those participants choosing to go back to school.

This grant proudly provided by First West Foundation through the Valley First Community Endowment.

For more info on the Valley First Community Endowment, visit: https://www.firstwestfoundation.ca/content/endowments/valley-first-community-endowment

May 24, 2022 (KELOWNA, B.C.)— Launch Okanagan is excited to partner with Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union on their Matched Saving program – a year-long program that educates, mentors and equips individuals with financial literacy to transform their lives.

 

Valley First has been a long-time supporter of Launch’s Matched Savings program, providing banking services and financial advice to many of the program’s participants. 

 

“Financial literacy has always been an important need in the community, but even more so over the past couple of years as we’ve seen living costs increasing and budgets tightening,” says Sheila Ehlert, Board Director at Launch.  “When like-minded local organizations come together, great things happen— and we see this first-hand with the Valley First and Launch partnership resulting in a Matched Savings’ program filling a huge need in the community.”

 

Ehlert also works as the Director of Retail Banking at Valley First which has given her deeper insight into the impact a program such as this has on the community. 

 

The Matched Savings Program started over 10 years ago to not only equip lower-income individuals in our community with vital financial management skills, but also give them opportunities to reach their personal goals through incentivized savings.  The result is over 100 graduates and lives impacted to date leading to empowered, confident, and financially independent graduates.  Program demand has increased substantially over the last year, so corporate sponsors, like Valley First, are needed more than ever to keep launching lives in our community.

 

Individuals in the year-long Matched Savings program participate in monthly financial education classes where they learn how to manage their finances and develop their skills, knowledge, abilities, and confidence when it comes to making financial decisions.

 

Each month, participants save $25-$50 towards their end-of-year goal.  Upon graduation, participants’ savings are matched with $3 to each $1 saved, with a maximum grant earned of $1800.  This financial grant can only go towards their continuing education, RESPs for young family members, starting a small business, RDSP contributions, or tools to support their work as a tradesperson.

 

While the grant can truly help a participant move forward in their life, the feedback most often received from graduates centers around how the program gave them hope for their future, increased their confidence in managing their money and improved their overall self-esteem in day-to-day life.

 

A recent graduate explains how this program impacted her life. “This program created hope for me.  I have a lot more control over my finances now.  I’ve never saved before, but I just saved $600 and realized that it wasn’t that hard.  Even after graduating I have continued to save!  This program gave me confidence and I know I can accomplish things. I have taken control back in my financial life and I’m forever grateful for that.”

 

You can make a one-time donation, monthly donations or sponsor a participant through the Launch a Life fundraiser. 

 

Shown above (left to right): Dustin Read, Branch Manager Downtown Kelowna Branch; Jason Garrett, Branch Manager Rutland Branch; Jennifer Robins, Executive Director Launch Okanagan; Kylaina Dermedy, Branch Manager Guisachan Branch.

 

ABOUT LAUNCH OKANAGAN

For over 10 years, Launch Financial Education Society has been helping people move forward in life by providing them with the financial knowledge, confidence, and community support to take the next steps towards greater independence and sustainable positive change. For more information, visit launchokanagan.ca.  

 

ABOUT VALLEY FIRST

Valley First is a premier provider of banking and investment services for residents and businesses in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys. As a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.’s third-largest credit union with 46 branches throughout the province, Valley First brings innovative products, an extensive branch network and local decision making to the banking experience. For more information on Valley First, visit www.valleyfirst.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Jennifer Robins 

Executive Director, Launch Financial Education Society 

[email protected] 

778-363-4954 

www.launchokanagan.ca

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