Asset Development in Canada - Self Sufficiency Project (SPP)

1. Early History of Asset Based Social Policy in Canada - An early pioneer is the Coady Centre at St. Francis Xavier University on Antigonish Island, Nova Scotia The Institute became a pioneer in the application of asset-based community development approaches in its educational programs and action research partnerships. In 1998 - The Coady Institute became a partner with Okanagan University College [now UBC Okanagan] undertook to study ways of formulating an asset focused social development model.

2. Asset Development in Canada - Self Sufficiency Project (SPP) • Funded by Human Resources abd Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) • Randomized study conducted by the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) • Web: “http:www.srdc.org/en_what_we_do.asp?id=900”

3. Asset Development British Columbia • 2008 Social Enterprise Summit • Social Enterprise in BC has grown rapidly since 2000 • Strong Credit Union engagement • “Go Forward Committee” struck commencing in Jan 2009 • Summit background materials: www.enterprisingnonprofits.ca/summit • David LePage is Manager of the Enterprising Non Profits Program (enterprisingnonprofits.ca)

4. Asset Building in British Columbia BC-ABC The main coordinating group for Asset Building in BC is the BC Asset Building Collaborative. This organization mentors financial literacy and saving circles throughout the province. Contact Melanie Buffel at melanie@bcassetbuilding.ca web:wwwassetbuilding.ca

5. Asset Development in Québec • Action Plan for Collective Entrepreneurship • Website “economiesocialequebec.ca” Contact: Nancy Neamtan, Executive Director Chantier de l'économie sociale (A coalition of 28 networks of social enterprises, organized labour, local development organizations and social justice movements.)

6. Social Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI) • One of the major proponent agencies of asset development in Canada. • Based in Toronto Ph 416-665-2828 email: info@sedi.org Web: www.SEDI.org • Main program on asset development: “Assets Matter - SEDI’s Asset Building Agenda” Contact Barb Goss. • Has been a national scope agency for over 20 years, to help low income earners reach self sufficiency.

7. SEDI 2 • Three areas of activity: 1) Financial Literacy, 2) Asset Building and 3) Entrepreneurship. • On November 14, 2008 SEFI announced that it had just launched the Canadian Centre for Financial Literacy. This was at the 4th Annual SEDI Awards. • During the first 5 years of operation, the Centre will build the capacity of community organizations to deliver effective financial literacy services, provide a locus of information sharing on

8. SEDI 3 the latest innovations and research and provide consulting to businesses, policy makers and non profits. • Starting this Winter, SEDI will train staff organizations in Ottawa, Lac Suel First Nation (Ontario), Toronto, Northeast Ontario, and British Columbia to deliver services to underserved populations. • Partnership Development contact: Caroline Munshaw, SEDI Ph 416-665-2828 Ext 225. Email cmunshaw@sedi.org.

9. SEDI 4 • Enabling Change Partnership Project with the Government of Ontario • Includes a program called “Exploring Self Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities” • This is a partnership between the Ontario Government and SEDI to explore barriers and the adaptive skills that disabled persons have picked up that creates good background for business resilience. Resource Guide available at info@sedi.org.

10. Federal Government RDSPs • The ABCs of RDSPs • The new registered disability savings plan, or RDSP, allows disabled people or their families to save for the future in a tax-sheltered plan that can also generate contributions from the federal government. Here's how:

11. RDSP Continued • per year

12. RDSP Continued 3 Lifetime maximum bond money available: $20,000 Note: Family income thresholds are indexed annually to inflation; these are 2008 levels. Grant and bond money can be received until the year in which the beneficiary turns 50. THE GLOBE AND MAIL // SOURCE: PLANNED LIFETIME ADVOCACY NETWORK, HUMAN RESOURCES AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CANADA

13. Federal Government History on Asset Development • The Government of Canada ran a conference on Asset Based Approaches “Exploring the Promise of Asset-Based Social Policies - Reviewing Evidence from Research and Practice” in December of 2003. This was organized by the Policy Research Initiative (PRI) • Directed at Federal Departments • Undertaken as Part of PRI’s interdepartmental project New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion • The theory for the conference was based on the work of the New America Foundation Asset-Building Program • The work of Michael Sherraden Assets and the Poor 1991 was also utilized • This conference was also influenced by a 2001 paper by Peter Nares (Founder of SEDI), Jennifer Robson-Haddow and Barbara Gosse “The Case for An Asset-Based Approach to Social Policy in Canada”. This paper appears in “Asset-Based Welfare International Experiences” Sue Regan and Will Paxton eds. IPPR [Institute for Public Policy Research UK] • This December 8-9. 2003 conference provided some history on early experiences with IDAs in Canada Learn$ave began in 2000 sponsored by SEDI, SRDC and HRDC [Human Resources Development Canada]

14. South Fraser Valley Regional Child & Youth Committee in Partnership w/ Fraser Regional Community Justice Initiatives Association • Asset Building Initiatives In BC: • Alcohol Drug Education Service, [connected to Developmental Asset Framework based on Search Institute’s research [www.ades.bc.ca] • Boys and Girls Club of Delta; committed to asset building through childhood and young adulthoos [www.bgccs.bc.ca] • Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops [www.bgckamloops.com] Offers excellent resources for those looking for way that their municipality can be involved in asset development • Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria - Positive development leading to asset building [www.bgcvic.org] • Crescent Beach Community Services - a pilot site for Asset Building Initiatives [www.campalex.com]

15. South Fraser 2 • Delta Police Dept. - A pilot site for the Asset Building Initiative • Positive Tickets.com - Developed by Ward Clapham, retired Superintendent of the Richmond RCMP - promotes the 40 Developmental Assets framework and the integration of this philosophy into Canadian policing. Has become an inspiration to many policing organizations [www.positivetickets.com] • Richmond RCMP - “IZZAT” group of volunteer police connecting with youth in positive ways 41% decline in crime in two years. • Summerland Asset Development Initiative (SADI) began in 1998 - positive development for children - convenes a youth council, youth conferences, projects geared to stronger and healthier community. [www.sadi.ca] • Township of Langley - Youth Commissioner based on 40 Developmental Assets [www.tol.bc.ca] • YMCA Greater Vancouver practices the 40 Developmental Assets and 1) Partners with families, children and people around children; 2) “Bridge” between families, children and community resources • A “Living Laboratory” to support and play a vital role in the ongoing research of programs and community building projects.

16. South Fraser 3 Across Canada • Brockville Police Service - Youth Development Strategy using the 40 Developmental Assets [www.brockvillepolice.com/programs/AssetDevelopmentofYouth.htm] • Thrive: The Canadian Centre for Positive Youth Development. Is a partner with the Search Institute. [www.thrivecanada.ca]. Established as a national resource in Waterloo Ontario in 1988. • The Community Solution to Gang Violence - an Edmonton based agency that employs a risk-protective framework - a preventive strategy - when working with youth to empower decision making [www.csgv.ca/contact.php?ID=100] • Growing Healthy Canadian - encourages healthy life transitions [www.growinghealthykids.com] • Safe and Caring Schools and Consequences - replacing bullying and violence with positive choices (a network among school boards) • Tamarack: An Institute for Community Engagement - A national organization to foster connectiveness between community organizations. Works to minimize poverty. [www.tamarackcommunity.ca] • Outward Bound Canada - Combines sea kayaking, mountaineering and youth asset building adventures [www.outwardbound.ca]

17. Supporting Employment and Economic Development (SEED Winnipeg Inc.) • Helpslow income individuals start businesses and save money. • Works with other CED [community economic development] organizations and community groups at local, regional and national levels in an effort to expand the adoption of CED methods as the normative approach to economic development in Canada. PROGRAM AREAS • Build a Business (BAB) • Asset Building Programs (ABP) IDA and Saving Circle Programs. • Community and Worker Ownership Program - CWOP - available to three or more people - provides assessment of organizational skills and resources, governance structures, strategic planning for up to two years. • CED Technical Assistance Services - CEDTAS - matching volunteer professionals to community based projects. • Aboriginal Community Collaborations - ACC - tailors and enhances the BAB program to Aboriginals. • R & D - Pilot programs in marginalized communities.

18. ACORN INSTITUTE CANADA • Expanding current financial literacy and Asset Development Program. Building from FITS Project (Free Income Tax Sites) • Involves creating store fronts and a community presence for financial literacy training. • Operates Community Leadership and Tenant Working Group in Toronto and Vancouver.