Sunshine Centres for Seniors is a non-profit organization providing social, recreational and health promotion day programs for older adults across the Greater Toronto Area. Their mission is to reduce social isolation, improve overall well-being and empower seniors to lead meaningful, connected lives within their communities.
Through a wide range of inclusive, interactive and accessible programs, Sunshine Centres helps seniors maintain independence, build relationships and stay engaged in activities that are meaningful to them.
Most recently, they expanded their offerings to include financial literacy and hosted a Money Matters workshop for seniors living in community housing.
A program designed for real life
Money Matters is a free, introductory financial literacy program that has supported more than 100,000 adults across Canada since 2011. It was developed by ABC Life Literacy Canada with support from the Government of Canada and founding sponsor TD Bank Group (TD). The program is designed to be accessible, practical and easy to understand.
Written at a grade six to eight reading level, Money Matters covers a wide range of topics—from banking basics to budgeting and smart spending—and is available in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Punjabi.
Community organizations can request TD employees who volunteer their time in this program to help facilitate workshops, bringing real-world financial knowledge directly to participants.
Sunshine Centres for Seniors was one organization that did just that.
Meeting community needs through language
With predominantly Mandarin-speaking seniors attending the workshop, Sunshine Centres specifically requested a Mandarin-speaking volunteer—and found a great match in Tom Bo, a Personal Banking Associate at a TD branch near downtown Toronto’s Chinatown.
“I heard they were looking for a Mandarin-speaking volunteer and thought it would be a great opportunity to help,” says Bo, who has worked at TD for eight years. “It was my first time volunteering with Money Matters, and it was a really rewarding experience.”
Bo worked with Sunshine Centres to deliver a workshop focused on saving and investing—topics that were new to many participants.
“In Canada, there are so many tools available to help people, like TFSAs and RRSPs,” Bo says. “If people don’t know about them, they may not be able to take advantage of them. Even small conversations can make a noticeable difference in helping someone feel more confident about their finances.”
Removing barriers through culturally relevant learning
Language played a critical role in supporting the success of the workshops.
“Since most of our participants were Mandarin speakers, being able to offer the workshops in their native language made a huge difference,” says Sandy Chan, program coordinator at Sunshine Centres. “It helped them better understand the information, ask questions and learn in a way that’s relevant to their everyday lives. It was wonderful to be able to find a volunteer who could speak both Mandarin and English, especially when presenting financial topics.”
Bo saw the impact firsthand.
“Many of the seniors didn’t grow up here, and they’re not always comfortable asking questions—especially about money,” he explains. “When you can explain things in their own language, it can help lower that barrier. They may feel more confident and more willing to participate.”
Beyond language, the workshops also helped address cultural differences in how financial planning is understood.
“In some cultures, people don’t talk openly about money,” Bo says. “Things like beneficiaries, joint accounts or planning for the future aren’t always discussed. But in Canada, these topics often come up. Once we explain why, many people better understand the purpose and ask about next steps.”
For many participants, this was their first exposure to concepts like registered savings accounts and long-term financial planning—knowledge that can support them over time.
Building confidence through practical knowledge
With more than 30 participants in attendance, the response to the workshops was very positive.
“Many of the participants have been living here for a long time, but they’re still learning new things about banking and saving,” says Chan. “It encouraged them to start thinking about planning ahead. For many, understanding how to manage their money—knowing how much is coming in and how much they can spend—is incredibly important.”
By focusing on practical, everyday financial decisions, the workshops aimed to help participants feel more in control of their finances and more confident navigating Canada’s financial system.
Looking Ahead
With strong participation and positive feedback, Sunshine Centres for Seniors is already planning for the future.
“In the coming year, we definitely want to organize more workshops,” Chan says. “There is a real need for this kind of program in our community, especially when it’s delivered in a way that people can truly understand.”
As programs like Money Matters continue to reach underserved communities, they are doing more than teaching financial skills. They can help build confidence, reduce barriers and support people living in Canada as they make informed decisions about their financial futures.
To learn more about Money Matters, access free financial literacy resources or sign up to host a workshop, visit abcmoneymatters.ca.
