Financially Empowering Young Adults (FEYA)

With the rising costs of necessities, young working adults are finding it increasingly difficult to manage their budgets. Essentials like rent, hydro, Wi-Fi, and groceries add up quickly, forcing many to make tough choices between paying their bills and meeting basic needs. FEYA (Financially Empowering Young Adults) was created to help address this challenge by providing financial assistance in the form of grocery and gas gift cards. Our aim is to alleviate some of the stress and mental toll that financial struggles create, empowering young adults to build a more sustainable future.

Program Overview

FEYA supports working individuals aged 18–29 by purchasing and distributing gift cards for groceries and gas. These gift cards are intended to offset the cost of these essential items, providing relief and allowing participants to focus on achieving their financial goals.

This program has been successfully operating in Brandon for over a year, thanks to the generous support and funding from RBC Royal Bank and our partnership with Huddle Brandon. We are excited to announce that the program has now expanded to Portage la Prairie, made possible by sponsorship from Homestead Coop and Youth Hub Portage.

How the Program Works

General Guidelines (Applicable to All Locations):

Application Submission:
- Download and complete the application form.
- Submit the form via email to the appropriate contact for your location (details below).
Approval Process:
- If approved, applicants will be contacted to set up an in-person meeting.
- During the meeting, applicants must provide all required supporting documents.
- Approved applicants will receive their gift cards at the end of the month.
Application Timeline:
- Applications must be submitted between the 1st and 15th of each month.
- Applications received after the 15th will need to be resubmitted for the following month.
- Gift cards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Restrictions:
- Only one person per household can receive a gift card each month.
- Each participant may receive a maximum of one gift card per month.
- Households may receive a maximum of three gift cards per year.

Requirements (Applicable to All Locations):

Applicants must be between 18 and 29 years old.
Applicants must:
- Rent or lease their current home with their name on the lease agreement.
- Work at least 20 hours per week and earn no more than $1,500 per bi-weekly pay period.
- Have employment earnings as their only source of income.
- Be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.
All required supporting documents must be provided during the in-person meeting.

Supporting Documents:

Government-issued photo ID.
Lease agreement*.
Three most recent pay stubs.
Evidence of all sources of income**.
Permanent Resident Card, Landing Paper, or Certificate of Citizenship (if applicable).

*For month-to-month leases, provide a signed agreement or an approved letter from your landlord.

**Includes assisted payment programs, passive income, etc.