Page 29 - BusinessWest Sept. 29, 2021

Dollars and Sense
Square One Aims to Make an Impact with Financial-literacy Program
By Mark Morris
Given the scope of Square One’s work for children and families, it’s not unusual for the organization to receive contribu-
tions to support its efforts.
But recently, FR Investment Group offered a
donation that goes far beyond writing a check.
“Instead of making a monetary donation, we’ve chosen to do something harder,” said Peter Cote, president of FP Investment Group. “We’re giving our time and services to help Square One clients and staff improve their financial literacy.”
Dawn DiStefano, Square One’s executive director, had seen similar attempts at financial
McCaughey, a vice president with FR. McCaughey presented the idea to her parents
that working with families at the lowest income levels to help them understand the basics of finance could have a huge impact on those fami- lies — and also on the community at large. The
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donation, we’ve chosen to do something harder.
education fizzle out, despite good intentions. This latest proposal was different.
“The FR group want- ed to understand who we are and what we want for our clients and staff,” she said. “They were curious, inquisitive, and showed us they valued our exper- tise as well.”
The Empower Finan- cial Literacy program is now a monthly offering at Square One. Flavia Cote, executive vice pres- ident of FR Investment
and Peter’s wife, runs the session each month with FR staff, includ- ing her daughter, Flavia
Instead of making a monetary
From left: Square One’s Dawn DiStefano, Melissa Blissett, and Kristine Allard; and FP Investment Group’s Flavia McCaughey, Flavia Cote, and Peter Cote.
Cotes supported the idea but also offered some sage advice.
“My parents told me to be prepared that maybe only one person would show up to the meeting,” McCaughey said. “I discussed that pos- sibility with the team, and we decided if the pro- gram makes a difference in even one person’s life, it’s worth it.”
Instead, 14 people have signed up for the pro- gram, with eight or nine regularly attending the
Square One
Continued on page 30
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EDUCATION
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