OUR MISSION

OUR MISSION

Help End Poverty in Ontario

Poverty is one of the most important social issues in the world. Eradicating poverty in all its forms is the first of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Specifically, the UN’s goal is to, “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.” (1)


1 in 9 people in Canada live in poverty. (2) In Ontario, nearly 2 million people live in poverty(3); almost 1/5 of those are children (4). In West Windsor, near where we study, that number is 1/4 (5). The cost of poverty in Ontario is conservatively estimated at $27.1 - $33 billion per year (6).


32% of the Canadian population lacks the basic and essential financial skills needed to function in today’s economy (7). This contributes to higher rates of poverty, and consequently poorer health and nutrition rates, reduced academic performance/endurance, un- and under-employment, increased crime and victimization, intergenerational poverty, and lost economic productivity (8). 

The good news? Studies show that financial literacy programs like ours help reduce rates of poverty by equipping youth with the financial and entrepreneurial training required to build a better future for us all. Our immediate goal, like the UN’s, is to help reduce poverty by half across Ontario by 2030.

We’re doing our part by delivering our unique form of engaging and exciting financial literacy and entrepreneurship training (Youthrive) on our new Youtopia Learning Management System.

How does Youthrive relate to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals?

Goal #1 - Reduce Poverty

by teaching Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Skills to youth in Ontario

Goal #2 & 3 - Hunger & Health

by teaching Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Skills, we will reduce hunger and increase health & well-being.

Goal #4 & 8 - Education & Economics

We also promote post-secondary education and decent work and economic growth through entrepreneurial activity

Goal #5 & 10 - Equality & E.D.I.I.

And the Youthrive program content specifically promotes Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity by providing vignettes of LGBTQ+, black, women, disabled, First Nations entrepreneurs weekly in the slides.

Goal #12 - Responsible Consumption

The Youthrive program also teaches integrated, sustainable business practices by promoting eco sensitivity in produce design and raw material choices.

Goal #17 - Partnerships

And we could not have done it all without the help of our partners, Altairix and the Odette School of Business.

So, while Youthrive and the Youtopia LMS may not actually create a “Utopia” … in our mind it’s a good start. 

Thank you for coming along for the journey!