Scotiabank Invests in BizGo

October 18, 2012 – Lutherwood is pleased to announce that Scotiabank has donated $10,000 to help sustain Lutherwood’s BizGo program.

BizGo, an entrepreneurial awareness pilot project, helps young people at Lutherwood’s Children’s Mental Health Centre discover their “inner entrepreneur” through an ‘expose, explore, experience’ learning model. Youth aged 12 - 18 receive an introduction to entrepreneurship through a series of experiential workshops which focus on small business concepts ultimately leading to the research, development, marketing and sales of a specific hand-crafted product. Students can earn a school credit for their participation.

“We have offered children’s mental health services and changed young lives for 42 years in this community,” said John Colangeli, Lutherwood Chief Executive Officer. “BizGo builds awareness of entrepreneurship giving participants valuable skills, increased confidence and broadened perspectives that will contribute to their personal growth and strengthen their employability.”

”BizGo introduces youth to entrepreneurial opportunity and equips them with valuable hands-on experience and skills to help them succeed,” said Elizabeth Heald, Director and Head, Scotia Private Client Group in Kitchener. “The mandate of this unique program fits perfectly with Scotiabank Bright Future, our community giving initiative which aims to build stronger communities.

“Scotiabank’s partnership gives us the funds we need to take this program to a new level by enabling us to purchase material and supplies to support bigger projects,” added Colangeli.

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years.

Lutherwood is a not-for-profit organization that provides a wide range of children’s mental health, employment, housing and family counselling programs. Lutherwood annually serves more than 22,500 people in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.