This is the second part in a series written by SmartSAVER intern Ayan Samatar. Ayan took it upon herself to organize a local sign-up event for Somali families in her neighbourhood of Lawrence Heights. Read I wish I had an RESP Part 1.
The time was coming closer to my Canada Learning Bond sign-up event and things were not going the way I had planned. After connecting with my potential collaborators/partners I found out quickly that what I hoped to accomplish in my short time with them may have been unrealistic. Local community organization Midaynta was busy with their own great projects so even though they supported my initial outreach, they were just way too busy to help. So I went through another partner, the Toronto District School Board, who gave us access to Flemington Public School to hold the event.
As the day approached, I had to think of ways to market to my community. Flyers could only do so much. My goal of getting at least 6 families to sign up would require a more proactive approach. I planned to go door-to-door the weekend before the event and talk to as many community members as possible. I needed a translator, my mother, to speak the Somali language as I am not as fluent as she is. We headed out on Sunday afternoon and knocked on at least 20 doors. Almost everyone invited us in, gave us tea, and I ate many biscuits. As we told parents in the community about the Canada Learning Bond, many voiced worries about it affecting their benefits, wondering if their kids would not be eligible for grants in the future, wondering if it was practical for them. There was a very big lack of understanding about the Canada Learning Bond and Registered Education Savings Plans. With a little explaining, I could see them get more excited.
Another potential problem we ran into was that a lot of children in the community did not have Social Insurance Numbers. Something I did not even take into consideration but had to prepare to tackle. Service Canada was in the community so we could arrange for one of the SmartSAVER team members to take them there to get their children’s SIN numbers.
Day of the event, I waited and waited and no parents showed up. I got my mom to call her friends to tell them to come and to call all of their friends. People started showing up around 5pm, but sadly most of them did not have SIN numbers and by now Service Canada was closed. I promised that I would personally help them out to get them their RESPs once they got their SIN numbers. In the end only 2 families signed up that day.
Through planning this event I learned so much about outreach from all the obstacles I encountered. I still hope to spread the word about the Canada Learning Bond and to help families to open RESPs. I have been following up with some of the families to help ensure their children do not miss out!
By Ayan Samatar
Intern with SmartSAVER
(Summer/Fall 2016)
During the past six years through our SmartSAVER program, we have talked to thousands of parents across Canada who have told us of their aspirations for their children. Their message is always the same: obtaining the best education for their children is a top priority.