November marked Financial Literacy Month in Canada, and this year, a number of TD employees raised their hands to volunteer with Money Matters for the first time. Money Matters is a free, introductory financial literacy program focused on building confidence through practical, everyday money skills. By volunteering to support local workshops, these first-time volunteers helped bring financial learning to communities in a welcoming, accessible way.
Developed in 2011 by ABC Life Literacy Canada with support from the Government of Canada and founding sponsor TD Bank Group, Money Matters has reached more than 100,000 adults through free workshops facilitated by over 2,800 TD employees who have volunteered their time.
This past November, Elshadie Tilahun Adera, a branch manager in Scarborough, and Michael Luces, a Toronto-based training lead in Capital Markets, were among those who chose to get involved for the first time. While neither quite knew what to expect, they quickly saw how meaningful an open conversation about money could be.
“I wasn’t nervous, but I wanted to make sure I showed up the right way,” Tilahun Adera said. “The training really emphasized the importance of being approachable, from the way we dressed to the use of simple language. That stuck with me.”
Luces felt something similar heading into his first workshop.
“Even though it was my first session, I felt well prepared since I also used to be a teacher,” he shared. “The program gives you structure, but also the freedom to free flow based on the reaction and feedback from the participants. That was important to me.”
Both volunteers completed Money Matters training in advance, which helped them prepare for the community workshops with adult learners.
The training helped me think more intentionally about how to create a comfortable environment,” Tilahun Adera said. “I chose to dress more casually so the session felt relaxed and open for everyone.”
As first-time volunteers, both Tilahun Adera and Luces were struck by how quickly participants opened up once they realized the space was safe.
“People felt at ease asking questions without judgment,” Tilahun Adera said. “I understand the newcomer experience and how intimidating financial conversations can feel, and this workshop helped create a space to have more comfortable and open dialogue.”
Luces noticed the same openness at his workshop, which he delivered to a group of high school students.
“When you talk about money, especially as a young person, you have to admit you don’t know everything,” he said. “It became a safe space. They were thoughtful and really engaged.”
Some of the most memorable moments came from discussions around how money impacts everyday life.
“A lot of people don’t really think about how small choices add up,” says Tilahun Adera. “Things like grabbing lunch out every day or taking an Uber home from the grocery store. It doesn’t feel like much in the moment, but when you look at it over a year, it really adds up.”
Luces noticed the same thing happened in his workshop.
“One student talked about how candy costs way more at a convenience store than at the supermarket,” he said. “That’s money management right there. They were already doing it; they just didn’t have a name for it yet.”
For both volunteers, Financial Literacy Month added extra meaning to the experience.
“Financial literacy isn’t something you’re born with — it’s a skill you build,” Tilahun Adera reflected. “When you help someone understand that, it’s empowering.”
Luces sees that kind of empowerment as foundational.
“This kind of education helps people avoid learning the hard way through things like minimum payments, which can get you stuck in a negative cycle that’s hard to break out of,” he said. “Financial literacy builds the foundation so you don’t fall into bad habits.”
As first-time Money Matters volunteers, both say the experience reshaped how they think about their roles, not just as banking professionals, but as community members.
“It reminded me why this work matters,” Tilahun Adera said. “We all want a better future, and understanding money is part of getting there.”
Luces agrees — and plans to continue volunteering.
“I’d absolutely do it again,” he said. “It was rewarding in ways I didn’t expect.”
To learn more about Money Matters, to access free resources or to sign up to become a volunteer, visit abcmoneymatters.ca.
