When I wrote Dear Piggy Bank’s business plan, I included two volunteer workshops each calendar year. The objective was to contribute to the financial literacy ‘tree of learning’.

A couple weeks ago, I spent a couple hours at a YMCA Child Care Center that was designed, built and implemented to serve a community that faces many barriers and challenges. A lot of thought was put into the facility in terms of design, functionality, resources and security. The services they provide are tailored to their clients. Specifically full meal service is provided to the children and weekly family dinners, fruit and vegetables are available to take home, a milk program is in place and a community coordinator is on staff.

I wasn’t sure how many ‘listening ears’ I would get given it was family dinner night and a very busy room. I was a bit apprehensive.

It turned out to be about 4 sets of ears. All women who were all at different stages of life but one thing in common, their income was social assistance which makes things complicated on many levels. At the end of the day however, the basics are the same and we worked through the concepts of making goals, budgets and setting priorities after determining needs versus wants.

One individual in particular worked through a budget and debt repayment plan right then and there. No small feat at the end of a busy day, in a noisy atmosphere with children demanding their mother’s attention. I think she’ll manage to make some progress with her financial objectives and that made it feel like a success.