Our Impact
Inspiring and empowering young people
Driving Progress: BMO and JA Central Ontario’s Commitment to Financial Resilience and Inclusion
Photo by: Henry Lin
For over two decades, JA Central Ontario has partnered with BMO to champion life-changing learning experiences and initiatives that enhance youth financial literacy and community resilience.
Today’s youth face a unique set of challenges and uncertainties about their futures, including the impact of rising costs, climate change, and shifting career landscapes. Therefore, equipping youth with the foundational knowledge and skills of managing finances is essential for them to thrive and grow their communities.
In the past academic year alone, 160 BMO volunteers have delivered essential financial skills to nearly 2,200 youth across 80 classrooms in Central Ontario as well as learning for the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs.
BMO brings entrepreneurship and financial literacy to life through learning experiences like Economics for Success and the JA Company Program. Economics for Success prepares grade 8 students for the world of work and helps them explore the financial tools they need to shape their career paths after high school. In the 2023-2024 Company Program, BMO supported young entrepreneurs through mentorship and financial resources, exemplified by teams like Chatoyer Collective, while providing support for the Trade Show. Additionally, BMO also sponsors and participates in fundraising events that fuel JA’s work.
As champions of community resilience and progress, BMO’s partnership with JA Central Ontario extends beyond the immediate future. With a focus on financial inclusion, BMO actively engages in initiatives that bring JA experiences to fast-growing cities and underserved communities across our region. Through this collaboration, BMO and JA Central Ontario are empowering local youth and entrepreneurs to drive progress for their communities.
About JA Central Ontario
JA Central Ontario envisions a world in which young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. They want to make sure all young people are economically empowered with the skills, confidence and networks to shape the future.
As a youth-centred charity, JA Central Ontario works together with a dedicated network of volunteers, partners and educators to deliver immersive learning in work readiness, financial health, entrepreneurship and more. JA students benefit from mentorship and real-world experiences, transforming their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations as they build their futures.
JA Central Ontario impacts students in Halton, Peel, Toronto, York, Durham and Simcoe regions. They are part of one of the world’s most-impactful youth-serving social good organizations – JA Worldwide – and they work closely with our national network, JA Canada.
