Free course for seniors

Senior newcomers, established Canadians invited to financial literacy workshop

Handling finances can be difficult at the best of times.

For seniors it can be particularly intimidating as they transition from the workforce into retirement, lose a spouse who tended to handle the financing, or begin to live on a pension or reduced income.

The P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada and Family Service P.E.I. are partnering on a new integration and skills-based learning project for those 50 plus, both newcomers to Canada and established Canadians, to improve their financial literacy.

This 10-week program, running on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. begins on Feb. 4. It will cover topics such as budgeting and basic money management, strategies to track spending, planning for the future, lending and donating, safeguarding against scams, frauds and financial abuse, and setting financial goals.

Yvette Doucette, information officer with the newcomers association, says it’s a gap that she has identified through conversations with senior clients.

“We were pleased to discover that Family Service P.E.I. had already developed a curriculum that covered many of the key topics, and were eager to partner with us. Their toolkit called, ‘It’s Your Right – Protecting Yourself Financially As You Age’ as well as other work-pages and resources, will be tailored to meet the needs of participants in the program,” she says.

Alex Walsh, outreach education specialist with Family Service P.E.I. will facilitate the course. Guest speakers will present segments of the course, and participants will develop individualized financial plans.

Anyone 50 years of age wanting to register for the program should contact Yvette Doucette by Monday, Feb. 1, by email at yvette@peianc.com or by calling 902-628-6009.

Space is limited. This project is made possible through funding from the government of P.E.I., seniors secretariat.