Investing in the future
Libro Credit Union invests in the newly amalgamated Junior Achievement charter with the goal of enhancing financial literacy learning in the SWO region
LONDON-BASED LIBRO Credit Union is the first organization to invest in the newly amalgamated Junior Achievement charter for the Southwestern Ontario region.
Junior Achievement South Western Ontario received a $114,750 investment from Libro, which will fund financial literacy programs across the region.
In July, Junior Achievement South Western Ontario announced it had officially merged with Junior Achievement Waterloo Region to form one charter. Formed in 1963 and 1970 respectively, the two organizations now operate as the amalgamated charter Junior Achievement of South Western Ontario.
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The new charter’s geography includes the counties of Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Wellington, Waterloo, Brant, Hamilton, Haldimand-Norfolk and Niagara. Libro, a longtime supporter of JA and its programs, services the same geographic footprint and has partnered with JA with the goal of enhancing delivery of financial literacy learning.
“This support from Libro will provide essential JA education to students across our region,” says Karen Gallant, president and CEO of JA South Western Ontario. “We are thrilled to be working side by side with Libro to inspire the community builders of the future in the towns where they live.”
Photo: Karen Gallant, president and CEO of JA South Western Ontario
Libro’s investment will be directed over a two-year period to fund the delivery of 115 financial literacy programs (55 programs delivered in 2021 and 60 programs delivered in 2022) reaching approximately 2,875 students from grade four to high school.
“Libro has enjoyed a strong partnership with JA for over a decade,” says Shane Butcher, regional manager, London-Elgin-Oxford, Libro Credit Union. “We’re looking forward to working with Karen Gallant and continuing our common goal of improving the financial literacy of our youth and developing the next generation of entrepreneurs. Now we’ll have an even greater impact.”
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JA programs have been supporting youth development in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship in Canada since 1955. The interactive hands-on experiential learning is age appropriate and engages students with digital tools, resources, relevant content and mentorship from JA trained volunteers.
Libro’s investment will also support the JA London and District Business Hall of Fame and the JA Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame galas, which celebrate local business leaders who have made a positive, lasting impact in their community. 