Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2022

Conexus makes education a priority, investing over $800,000 in Saskatchewan communities

(Thursday, September 22, 2022 – Regina, SK) – As we experience yet another back-to-school season, we’re reminded that a mind invested in, is a mind ready to lead the future. The place of literacy in setting the stage for a booming social and economic community cannot be overstated and that’s why Conexus Credit Union (Conexus) has invested over $800,000 to support education and literacy initiatives across Saskatchewan in the past five years.

Conexus believes that learning, whether as youths or as adults, is a lifelong process and we are committed to supporting programs and initiatives which build work and life skills. “It’s simple for us. We have one priority - the financial well-being of our members and communities. We know that investing in education across the province sets our residents up for the kind of financial future that they deserve. Through our partnerships and shared passion for creating stronger communities together, we will continue to contribute to the economic, social, health, and wellness of Saskatchewan
residents.” says Nicole Westerlund, VP of Member and Community Engagement at Conexus.

Conexus is doing this alongside our community partners through different programs and initiatives, including a few of those noted below:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatchewan - For over 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters Saskatchewan has provided mentoring programs to children and youth in our province with a mission to enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential in young people. It is projected that for every $1 invested into BBBS SK mentoring programs, $23 is returned into society. That’s why we’re proud to have recently announced a three-year, $195,000 partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Saskatchewan to help enable 100 lifechanging mentorship relationships.

• SOFIA House Employment Program (Regina) – Providing safe housing, SOFIA House is a second-stage shelter for women and their children who are fleeing domestic violence. Gaining financial independence can be a first step towards breaking the cycle of domestic violence Conexus has invested $210,000 to date which has helped support the Regina Work Prep Centre and the Employment Program that is offered to women in Regina and other areas across Saskatchewan.

• Prince Albert Literacy Network – For the past 5 years, Conexus partnered with the Prince Albert Literacy Network and invested nearly $80,000 to support programming aimed to reduce economic vulnerability. Facilitators with the support of our employees, provide practical financial solutions through education and financial literacy workshops to individuals interested in learning about basic money management. To date, over 400 participants have attended over 60 workshops.

• Regina Food for Learning – Believing education is key to the future well-being of our youth, and good nutrition is key to education, Regina Food for Learning provides nutritious food and nutrition information to students and schools who are struggling with hunger. Since its inception in 1988, Regina Food for Learning has provided over 2.7 million lunches, snacks, and breakfasts for Regina school children. Through Conexus’ $5,000 investment, another 1,389 lunches and 8,330 snacks will be provided throughout the 2022/23 school year.

Investing in education and literacy initiatives across Saskatchewan is guaranteed to yield immense results for all present and future residents of the province and the country. A person with access to quality education is a person well-equipped with information to improve their financial well-being and create a better financial future for themselves.

"I'm so happy that I participated in this program,” said one SOFIA House Employment Program participant. “I learned so many things that I had never heard of before. I learned new skills that make me feel more confident to find work. I have been involved with other programs in the community, but this was the best I have ever attended. I'm so grateful."

“The presentation was an excellent review of some key money factors that I tend to be in denial about. You’ve provided a great framework for my path forward in becoming more fiscally responsible, and I am grateful for that,” said a Prince Albert Literacy Network workshop participant."

Our partnership with various community partners across the province to address basic human needs in the area of education, work skills programs, adult education, and literacy drives us further in the direction of achieving our purpose. By improving the financial well-being of our members and communities, we’re helping contribute to the economic and social strength of our province, and helping our members be able to live the lives they want. To learn more about Conexus and its support
for building future leaders, click here.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Laura McKnight
Public Relations Specialist | Conexus Credit Union
Phone: 306-751-8201| Email: publicrelations@conexus.ca

ABOUT CONEXUS CREDIT UNION
Conexus is a forward-thinking, innovative credit union committed to improving the financial well-being of our members and communities. We are one of Saskatchewan’s largest credit unions and being connected to our communities across the province is a commitment we have upheld for the last 80+ years. Working alongside our community investment partners enables us to deliver our purpose and in the last five years, we’ve invested over $9.5 million back into communities across Saskatchewan. To learn more, visit Conexus.ca.