Financial Literacy, Awareness & Advocacy
Inclusion Foothills helps families navigate resources, advocate for supports, and build financial confidence.
At Inclusion Foothills, an organization that supports people with disabilities, individuals are asked about their hopes for the future. The path forward isn’t always straightforward, but staff are committed to helping people find the resources they need to move ahead.
“Having a disability often comes with extraordinary costs, whether it’s medical costs, making adaptations to a home, or travelling to appointments,” says Vanessa McKenzie, executive director at Inclusion Foothills. “We help people learn about the resources available to help them, and then we prepare them to have the best chance to access those supports.”
Inclusion Foothills is one of 21 organizations to receive a community grant in the latest funding cycle from the AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education. Each recipient runs financial empowerment programming, and Inclusion Foothills is using the funding to sustain its family support program.
Founded in 1998 by six families of people with disabilities, Inclusion Foothills serves Foothills County, south of Calgary, and supports people with any disability to be fully included in their communities. Last year, 125 new families contacted the organization for support — a notable increase from the 70 to 100 families that typically reach out each year.
“People might receive a diagnosis, and they have no idea where to start. It can be very overwhelming. We try to simplify it and help people know what’s available, not just immediately but over the longer term,” McKenzie says.
Staff at Inclusion Foothills help clients navigate programs that can ease the financial costs of full participation in social, educational, recreational and professional life.
They also teach families how to effectively demonstrate why a loved one requires a specific resource — preparing for an intake meeting for a new program or funding stream takes organization, confidence and practice.
In other cases, Inclusion Foothills works with adults with disabilities to manage their finances, which is especially important for those relying on government support programs. Staff also support families in planning ahead, preparing for the transition to adulthood and the programs that will need to be accessed at that stage.
“Financial literacy for people with disabilities is about ensuring they’re aware of and able to advocate for services,” says McKenzie. “It’s also about building confidence in managing money, just like anyone else.
***
With thoughtful, tailored programs and engaging initiatives for all ages, AIMCo Foundation community partners are ensuring financial empowerment services are accessible to those who need them most. The AIMCo Foundation is proud to have awarded more than $1.9 million to community partners since inception in 2018. If you are or know someone who is empowering access to financial education in Alberta, keep an eye on our website for details on upcoming funding opportunities.
Learn more about our community grant recipients and browse our impact report, Empowering Resilience, to see all we accomplished together in 2025.
