Programs & Services > LearnSave
Save & Learn 
is
a nationwide research project designed to test whether financial
incentives can help low-income people improve their long-term economic
prospects.
works
in partnership with Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI)
and Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) and is funded
by the federal Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Canada and is supported by Royal Bank.
Program description:
Project participants are encouraged
to open special bank
accounts and to build their savings as a means of achieving their goals.
For every dollar that a participant deposits, an additional two to
five dollars (depending on geographic location) is contributed by learn$ave.
These savings can be withdrawn provided that they are used to finance
post-secondary education, skills development, associated supports to
learning, or a new small business.
After two years of recruitment, the research
project has completed its enrolment in Toronto. We are not accepting
any more applications.
Existing participants
are on their way to saving for their goals – going back to school,
getting skills training, or starting a new small business. In the next
few years, we hope that the research
and demonstration project will become an example to the federal government
and other public bodies of how asset building can change the lives
of low-income families for the better.
For more information on the national project or to
learn more about other asset-building initiatives in Canada, please
see SEDI's website
at http://www.sedi.org/html/programs/AssetBuilding.asp
SEDI
is the lead project administrator for and
the national expert on Canadian asset-building initiatives.
Family Service Association, along with its partners St. Christopher House, St. Stephen’s Community House and the Y.W.C.A., remain committed to community based research projects that address the needs and aspirations of Toronto’s diverse and disadvantaged communities.
We hope to be able to post the research results as they become available
in future years. This is part of Family Service Association’s
ongoing commitment to strengthening individuals and families in just
and supportive communities.
