Upon learning that 60 per cent of students leave high school without basic financial education, members of the University of Windsor student Enactus club created Youthrive, a 10-week consulting and financial literacy education program focused on accelerating young entrepreneurs.

The program has counselled 265 local youths, earning the club top honours in the 2017 Scotiabank Youth Empowerment Challenge at the organization’s national exposition in Vancouver earlier this year. The challenge encourages post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects focused on education, learning skills and supporting the life-long success of youth.

Enactus Canada president Nicole Almond praised the local contributions of the UWindsor contingent.

“By focusing on youth, Enactus University of Windsor is making a real impact on the long-term sustainability of their communities,” she said.

The 2017 Enactus Canada National Exposition welcomed 1,500 delegates representing 68 universities and colleges. Faculty advisors Jim Marsh and Meaghen Quinn accompanied five teams from the University of Windsor. In addition to its championship in the youth empowerment category, UWindsor finished third in financial education and reached the semi-finals in the overall competition.