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IG Wealth Management builds financial well-being among underserved student groups in Winnipeg

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This article was published 02/02/2024 (964 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IG Wealth Management is investing in the future of Winnipeg’s Indigenous and newcomer high school and post-secondary students with the launch of two new, multi-year initiatives.

Through its Empower Your Tomorrow community platform, IG has partnered with Pathways to Education Winnipeg (Pathways Winnipeg) and Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech). The goal of both partnerships is to provide financial supports, mentorship, internships, scholarships and life-changing opportunities to the city’s younger generations.

“These programs are significant in scope and commitment and represent a refocusing of our approach to community investment in Winnipeg,” said Damon Murchison, President and CEO, IG Wealth Management.  “We’re shifting away from pure sponsorship opportunities to focus on grassroots by allocating more and more of our resources to helping support underserved communities in the city.”

Administered through Winnipeg’s Community Education Development Association (CEDA), the Canada-wide Pathways to Education program will assist 750 high school students over three years – primarily Indigenous or newcomer students.

The program provides students with personalized plans, financial supports, advice and mentorship to help them successfully navigate through their high school years and graduate.

“We know that having the right financial and social supports in place are critical to increasing high school graduation rates,” said Jordan Bighorn, Executive Director of CEDA. “That’s why this partnership with IG is so critical. We want to make sure students can access all the opportunities that come with earning a high school diploma, including pursuing their studies at a college or university.”

Through its partnership with RRC Polytech, IG will create a comprehensive support program for Indigenous students each year within the School of Business, Information Technology and Creative Arts, and the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. The IG Empower Program is part of an ongoing, long-term partnership that will provide not only financial support as students continue their studies, but also a collaborative environment for students to benefit from career mentorship opportunities.

It includes the creation of a new IG Empower Navigation Coach position to support up to 300 Indigenous students throughout their academic journey and promote their overall well-being – each year.

It also establishes an annual Scholarship and Career Development Program to help remove financial barriers (through tuition support) and create new career opportunities for eligible students. The Scholarship and Career Development Program also provides opportunities for paid internships at IG Wealth Management in Winnipeg for the purpose of enhancing student learning, leadership development, and exploration of career options.

“This partnership with IG Wealth Management will remove barriers through guidance, mentorship and financial supports, and further enhance our ability to support Indigenous students, ensuring they become not just successful graduates, but leaders poised to excel in their respective fields of study and with leading Manitoba employers such as IG,” said Jamie Wilson, Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, RRC Polytech.

“I’m excited about the impact our work with Pathways Winnipeg and RRC Polytech will have on high school and college graduation rates for Indigenous and newcomer students and the doors it will open as they pursue their studies and rewarding careers,” said Mr. Murchison.

To learn more about IG’s Empower Your Tomorrow community platform and offerings, visit ig.ca.