GUELPH – In Your Hands is a new workshop series designed to support women and gender-diverse people to build financial confidence and economic security, offered by Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis (GWWIC) and 10C Shared Space.
This new collaboration is part of Opening Opportunities, a project of 10C and the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition that provides entrepreneurship training for women and gender diverse people facing low income challenges.
Since January, Opening Opportunities has supported 60 people with entrepreneurship training and another 40 through community workshops focused on household finances and entrepreneurial thinking.
“Opening Opportunities is a unique program that aims to meet aspiring entrepreneurs where they are and provide wrap-around support like childcare, access to technology and program guidance that is important for their success,” stated 10C program lead Emily Hansen in a press release.
“In less than six months we have seen many participants in Opening Opportunities make amazing progress, from increasing confidence in themselves, to shaping and launching their businesses – it’s really inspiring.”
The In Your Hands workshop series offers four sessions, over four weeks, and will support participants in understanding their personal financial goals, developing new skills, and exploring what financial independence means to them.
Through a blend of discussion, reflection, and skill-building activities, the program provides a welcoming, supportive environment for women and gender-diverse participants to learn and grow.
“Financial independence is deeply bound up in safety and wellbeing for women and gender-diverse people” stated GWWIC public educator Cindy McMann.
“Given that we face real systemic barriers to economic success, it’s even more important that we learn as much as we can so we can be financially literate and gain the confidence to make sound decisions for our economic futures,” McMann continued.
“We’re hopeful that each week, folks will come away with something practical that will help them in their daily lives.”
This series of free workshops will be delivered in-person at 38 Elizabeth St.
The sessions are tailored to those who are navigating change, rebuilding stability, or simply looking to gain greater financial independence.
Session topics include:
– economic independence: Aug. 7, 1 to 2:30pm;
– finances in relationships: Aug. 14, 1 to 2:30pm;
– protecting yourself financially: Aug. 21, 1 to 2:30pm; and
– having conversations about money: Aug. 28, 1 to 2:30pm.
In Your Hands begins Aug. 7, and registration is now open for all four workshops.
For more information or to register visit 10carden.ca/in-your-hands.
