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Vision of Hope Resource Centre (VOHRC): Enhancing Financial Literacy and Awareness among Marginalized and Black Communities in Brampton
Contact Information:
President: Cynthia Pommells Primary Phone: 905-454-6490 Address: 139 Devon Road, Brampton, Ontario, L6T 5L8 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: https://www.vohrc.com/
Summary
Vision of Hope Resource Centre (VOHRC) is a charity that empowers marginalized and black communities in Brampton, Ontario through tailored programs, mentorship, and recreational opportunities. We promote social justice, equity, and well-being among youth, immigrants, newcomers, and seniors. Our goal is to reduce barriers and foster resilient societies.
We are seeking a grant of $50,000 from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRAO) to support our financial literacy and awareness initiatives for the fiscal year 2024-2025. These initiatives aim to educate and inform our target audience about their rights and obligations as consumers and pension plan beneficiaries, as well as increase their knowledge and understanding of the regulated sectors, such as insurance, credit unions, mortgage brokers, and loan and trust companies. We also aim to prevent and protect our target audience from cybercrime and fraud, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact.
Our financial literacy and awareness initiatives are based on the following needs and gaps identified by our research and consultation with our target audience and stakeholders:
 According to the 2018 Canadian Financial Capability Survey, only 31% of Canadians who identify as visible minorities and 15% of recent immigrants (less than 10 years in Canada) have high levels of financial confidence, compared to 43% of the general population1.
 According to the 2019 Canadian Internet Use Survey, 57% of Canadian Internet users reported experiencing a cyber security incident, such as receiving fraudulent emails or messages, getting redirected to fraudulent websites, or having a virus or other computer infection2. Seniors aged 65 and over were more likely than younger age groups to experience cyber security incidents involving fraudulent emails or messages (54%) and fraudulent websites (23%)
 According to the 2019 General Social Survey, 7.8% of Canadians aged 15 and over reported being a victim of fraud in the previous 12 months, with a median loss of $2503. The most common types of fraud reported were online purchase scams (29%), fraudulent prize or lottery scams (23%), and fraudulent service scams (18%).
 According to the 2019 Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, seniors aged 60 and over accounted for 37% of the total number of victims and 60% of the total amount lost to fraud in Canada. The most common types of fraud targeting seniors were romance scams, emergency scams, and investment scams.
Our financial literacy and awareness initiatives include the following:
 A series of online and in-person workshops and webinars on topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, credit scores, insurance, pensions, and consumer protection. These workshops and webinars will be delivered by qualified and experienced facilitators, and will be tailored to the specific needs and interests of our target audience. We will also provide resources and tools, such as worksheets, calculators, and guides, to help our participants apply the learned concepts to their own situations.
 A financial literacy and awareness campaign, which will consist of creating and distributing informative and engaging materials, such as flyers, posters, brochures, newsletters, videos, podcasts, and social media posts, to raise awareness and educate our target audience and the general public about the regulated sectors and their rights and obligations as consumers and pension plan beneficiaries. We will also partner with local media outlets, such as newspapers, radio stations, and TV channels, to reach a wider audience and amplify our message.
 A financial literacy and awareness mentorship program, which will match our target audience with volunteer mentors who have relevant expertise and experience in the regulated sectors. The mentors will provide one-on-one or group guidance and support to our participants, and help them achieve their financial goals and overcome their financial challenges. The mentors will also act as role models and inspire our participants to pursue careers or further education in the regulated sectors.
We expect that our financial literacy and awareness initiatives will have the following outcomes and impact:
 Increased knowledge and confidence of our target audience in managing their personal finances and making informed financial decisions
 Increased awareness and understanding of our target audience of the regulated sectors and their rights and obligations as consumers and pension plan beneficiaries
 Increased prevention and protection of our target audience from cybercrime and fraud, and increased reporting and seeking help when victimized
 Increased participation and engagement of our target audience in the regulated sectors, either as consumers, pension plan beneficiaries, employees, or entrepreneurs
 Increased social and economic inclusion and empowerment of our target audience and their communities
We will measure and report on the results and impact of our financial literacy and awareness initiatives using the following methods and indicators:
 Pre- and post-tests and surveys to assess the change in knowledge, confidence, awareness, and understanding of our participants before and after attending our workshops, webinars, and mentorship program
 Feedback forms and testimonials to collect the satisfaction, suggestions, and stories of our participants, facilitators, mentors, and partners
 Attendance and completion rates to track the number and proportion of our participants who attended and completed our workshops, webinars, and mentorship program
 Reach and engagement metrics to monitor the number and proportion of our target audience and the general public who accessed and interacted with our campaign materials, such as views, likes, shares, comments, and downloads
 Outcome and impact indicators to measure the change in behavior, attitude, and situation of our participants and their communities, such as financial goals achieved, financial challenges overcome, financial products or services accessed, financial complaints or disputes resolved, cybercrime or fraud incidents prevented or reported, careers or education pursued in the regulated sectors, and income or savings increased
We believe that our financial literacy and awareness initiatives are relevant and beneficial for the consumers and pension plan beneficiaries in Ontario, as they align with the FSRAO’s mandate and priorities, such as protecting the public interest, enhancing public confidence, and fostering a fair, safe, and efficient financial services sector. We also believe that our financial literacy and awareness initiatives are innovative and effective, as they leverage our expertise, experience, and network in serving marginalized and black communities in Brampton, and address their specific needs and interests in a culturally sensitive and responsive way.
We appreciate your consideration of our grant proposal, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 905-454-6490.
Organization
Vision of Hope Resource Centre (VOHRC) is a registered charity that was founded in 2013 by a group of community leaders and activists who saw the need for empowering marginalized and black communities in Brampton, Ontario. Through tailored programs,
mentorship, counseling, and recreational opportunities, we promote social justice, equity, and inclusion. Our goal is to reduce barriers and foster well-being among youth, immigrants, newcomers, and seniors, creating healthier and resilient societies.
Our mission is to empower marginalized and black communities in Brampton, Ontario through tailored programs, mentorship, and recreational opportunities. We promote social justice, equity, and well-being among youth, immigrants, newcomers, and seniors. Our goal is to reduce barriers and foster resilient societies.
Our vision is to see a world where marginalized and black communities in Brampton, Ontario are empowered, included, and respected. We envision a world where youth, immigrants, newcomers, and seniors have access to opportunities, resources, and support to achieve their full potential and contribute to their communities. We envision a world where social justice, equity, and well-being are the norm and not the exception.
Our values are:
 Respect: We respect the dignity, diversity, and rights of all people
 Empowerment: We empower our participants and communities to take charge of their own lives and futures
 Excellence: We strive for excellence in everything we do, from program design and delivery to evaluation and reporting
 Collaboration: We collaborate with our participants, partners, and stakeholders to achieve our common goals and objectives
 Innovation: We embrace innovation and creativity to find new and better ways to serve our participants and communities
Our programs and services focus on promoting health and well-being, education, and reducing accessibility barriers for marginalized and black groups, immigrants and newcomers, youth, and seniors. The organization provides structured programs and tailored education to support individuals in areas they need assistance.
Some of our programs and services include:
 Surfing Cyber Seniors: A project that teaches basic internet and computer skills and provides resources to recognize cybercrime and fraud to seniors
 Seniors Drop-in: A program that creates a welcoming environment for seniors to engage in discussions, cultural events, and access traditional food recipes
 Youth Leadership: A program that develops leadership, communication, and teamwork skills among youth and prepares them for future opportunities
 Newcomers Settlement: A program that provides information, orientation
 A program that provides information, orientation, and referral services to immigrants and newcomers to help them settle and integrate in Canada
 Women Empowerment: A program that supports women to overcome barriers, build confidence, and pursue their personal and professional goals
 Health and Wellness: A program that promotes physical and mental health and wellness among our participants and communities through workshops, seminars, and activities
We have a team of dedicated and qualified staff, volunteers, and board members who have extensive experience and expertise in working with marginalized and black communities in Brampton. We also have strong partnerships and collaborations with other community organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector entities that share our vision and mission.
We have a proven track record of delivering high-quality and impactful programs and services to our participants and communities. We have received positive feedback and testimonials from our participants, partners, and stakeholders, as well as recognition and awards from various local and national organizations. We have also demonstrated our accountability and transparency by submitting regular and detailed reports and evaluations to our funders and donors.
We are confident that our financial literacy and awareness initiatives will be successful and beneficial for the consumers and pension plan beneficiaries in Ontario, as well as for our participants and communities in Brampton. We are grateful for your support and partnership in making this project possible.