... not just in the additional costs poverty generates for our health care and prison system but also in the opportunities denied poor people, especially children, youth, women, immigrants and aboriginal people to participate fully in making their contribution to society." Dennis Howlett, National Anti-Poverty Organization Executive Director
Poverty remains a persistent and complex problem in Canada with devastating effects for individuals, families and communities: low birth-weights, increased illness, lower labour force participation, family disintegration, and higher crime rates. For more information on Poverty in Canada click here 
Poverty is defined by both a lack of income and a lack of assets. Income provides for immediate needs. Assets provide a cushion of personal, social and financial resources that are crucial for long term well being. Assets, whether in the form of stable housing, good daycare or money in the bank become critical during an income crisis such as a job loss or illness.
Without assets people live from cheque to cheque and crisis to crisis and can become trapped in a cycle of poverty. Building a range of assets allow people to go beyond the survival level, build more fulfilling lives, reduce isolation and be more involved in their communities.
BC Asset Building Collaborative (BC ABC) supports and encourages low income earners, and others in poverty, to accumulate, develop, and preserve all types of assets through asset building programs delivered through local community service agencies.
Since 1999 over 1200 British Columbians have participated in programs that included financial literacy training, mentorship programs and matched savings opportunities. As a result $5.5 million dollars of savings has been invested in people and generated both social and economic returns to our communities.
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Success Stories
