Economical Insurance® invests $100,000 to prepare young Canadians for their future success

Support will increase Junior Achievement's Economics for Success reach and impact for Canadian students

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Junior Achievement of Canada and Economical Insurance^® are pleased to announce a new national partnership focused on encouraging Grade 8 students to stay in school and acquire the knowledge and skills needed for their future success. Under the new partnership, Economical Insurance is providing $100,000 for volunteer support for Junior Achievement's Economics for Success program delivery in ten locations* across Canada.

Junior Achievement's Economics for Success program is an interactive program that allows students to examine their future and explore different opportunities for their own success. Inspiring volunteer mentors from Economical will visit the classroom and share their experience in order to help equip students with the skills needed to define their own positive future plan.

"Thanks to Economical's investment, Junior Achievement can continue to inspire today's young people to stay in school, become financially literate and become the leaders for tomorrow," said Stephen Ashworth, president and CEO (acting), Junior Achievement of Canada.  "Our mentor volunteers from Economical play a crucial role in helping today's students become better prepared for the workforce and be successful in life."

"I can't say enough good things about this program that I participated in as a volunteer early in my career," said Karen Gavan, Economical's president and CEO. "It's a great program that helps our youth realize their full potential by understanding the importance of budgeting, investments, and business finance and staying in school to better their chances of achieving the standard of living and lifestyle that they aspire to.  And our volunteers seem to get more out of the experience than they give from interacting with students and seeing their enthusiasm for learning new skills from someone from outside the classroom."

Junior Achievement is the largest youth business organization in Canada and plays an important role in developing Canada's future leaders by providing them with the confidence and knowledge needed to define personal success, enhance their workforce readiness and pursue their dreams. Last year alone, more than 226,000 young Canadians experienced a Junior Achievement program from over 13,000 committed business mentors.  Junior Achievement programs, including Economics for Success, are delivered by volunteer mentors to bring the business world experience into the learning environment.

"Support from Economical will ensure greater delivery, reach and impact of Junior Achievement by building the tools and knowledge for our students," said Stephen.  "Junior Achievement is thrilled to be partnering with Economical to make a positive impact on young Canadians in communities across Canada."

About Junior Achievement of Canada

For more than 55 years, Junior Achievement has inspired and prepared more than 4 million youth to succeed. Through partnerships with both large and small organizations, as well as individual business leaders, Junior Achievement of Canada is able to inspire and empower young achievers by providing programs that prepare them for the workforce, educate on the importance of financial literacy and encourage youth's entrepreneurial spirit. For more information, visit www.jacan.org.

About Economical Insurance

Founded in 1871, Economical Insurance is one of Canada's leading property and casualty insurers, with $1.7 billion in premiums and $4.6 billion in assets. Based in Waterloo, this Canadian-owned and operated group services the insurance needs of more than one million customers through 17 branches and service offices across the country. In 2010, Economical announced its decision to become the first federally-regulated mutual property and casualty insurance company to demutualize. Economical is currently reviewing strategic options and will submit a comprehensive demutualization proposal for mutual policyholder approval after the federal government's completion of demutualization regulations.

Economical Insurance conducts business under the following brands: Economical Insurance, Economical, Western General, Economical Select, Perth Insurance, Federation Insurance and Economical Financial.

* Please note the ten regions include: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, London, Waterloo, Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton and Halifax.

SOURCE: Economical Insurance