A new program in Regent Park is helping young people build confidence and practical skills in money management and entrepreneurship. The Youth Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship Program, hosted at the Regent Park Community Centre of Excellence, is an initiative of the Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurial Society Hub (F.L.E.S.H.), a nonprofit dedicated to financial empowerment and equity.
F.L.E.S.H. provides culturally relevant and socially responsive financial education through online and in-person workshops, mentorship, and community-based support. The organization’s programs are designed for participants who identify as Black, Indigenous, Women, Persons of Colour, or 2SLGBTQIA+, with a mission to make financial literacy more inclusive and accessible. In Regent Park, the youth-focused workshops guide participants through real-world financial skills — from understanding paycheques and budgeting to saving, building credit, and exploring the basics of starting a small business. Youth also learn how to access grants and community resources that can help turn their ideas into viable entrepreneurial projects. By hosting this program in Regent Park, F.L.E.S.H. is addressing barriers that many young people face when trying to access financial education. The initiative connects money management with personal growth, helping youth see how financial knowledge can open doors to independence, creativity, and opportunity. As Regent Park continues to evolve, programs like this one strengthen the neighbourhood’s foundation for inclusive economic development — empowering a generation of youth to take control of their financial futures and contribute to the community’s ongoing revitalization.