Financial Empowerment Through Learning and Community

On the final day of class, Angel Prefontaine-Gibson handed out a small stack of certificates, sharing what she had learned from each participant through their eight weeks together in her Saving Circle course. 

Participants also shared what they had learned from her—how the class had changed how they thought about money, and themselves. 

“I wasn’t expecting to get this emotional. But there’s a lot of love and caring in this room,” says Val, a graduate of the program. 

Val is a registered Elder from Peguis First Nation. At 70 years old, she had never created a budget before. 

“I was nervous. Scared. It felt overwhelming. I gave every excuse not to come, but I stayed,” she said. 

Financial Empowerment Facilitator Angel Prefontaine-Gibson (left) and Val (right) at the class graduation.

Saving Circle is one course part of Manitoba Possible’s Financial Empowerment program. It’s designed for Manitobans with disabilities living on low income, offering tailored education in budgeting, goal setting, banking, and financial planning.  

While it’s a course about money and numbers, much of the learning comes from very human experiences. The class is small. Participants bring lived experience, and they learn together. There’s room to ask questions and to build trust. 

“Everyone shared things, which I liked. They shared things that I didn't know. I shared things they didn’t know. We helped each other out here.” 

Angel Prefontaine Gibson has been leading financial empowerment programs with Manitoba Possible for eight years. Her sessions are structured but conversational, focused on collaboration. She works with the class to learn about financial empowerment through eight areas: money choices, asset building, community economic development, budgeting, financial institutions, credit, debt and living a simpler life. Each component is designed to help them be successful in their future money choices. 

“Learning these skills takes time and practice,” Angel says. “The best way to start is really asking yourself ‘do I need it or do I want it’? It’s a great first step for everyone to learn this one basic skill.” 

Over the course, participants are supported to save up to $250, which is matched 3:1 for a total of up to $1,000. When they complete the course, that savings goes towards essential things like dental care, tuition, assistive devices, home improvement, or groceries. 

“By contributing over time and seeing their savings matched, they’re able to achieve goals that can often feel out of reach and on their own terms,” explains Angel. “It’s not just financial support; it’s about building confidence through self-determination.” 

For Val, who lives with a brain injury and brain tumour, it was a new bed. 

“I had a bed that was given to me second-hand. It’s crooked and bent. People take it for granted when you have a good bed to sleep on,” she said. “I am getting excited. I am happy. I will feel like a little kid again.” 

Saving Circle is ran in partnership with SEED Winnipeg, United Way Winnipeg and Empower Manitoba.