Edmonton, Alberta – June 3, 2026 : Financial education is not a luxury but a necessity for newcomers and refugees seeking long-term success in Canada, according to Mr. Rommy De La Cruz, Financial Educator and World System Builder (WSB), who addressed participants at the International Conference on Refugee & Newcomer Well-Being, hosted by Let’s Help International (LHI).
Speaking to community leaders, service providers, researchers, faith-based organizations, and newcomers, Mr. De La Cruz emphasized that while settlement services are essential in helping immigrants establish themselves, economic empowerment is the next critical step toward achieving independence and contributing meaningfully to society.
“Before we can help others, we must first put ourselves in a position to be helped and become contributors to our communities,” he said.
From Settlement to Empowerment
Mr. De La Cruz explained that World System Builder (WSB) focuses on the “second layer” of integration—equipping families with the financial knowledge and habits necessary to build stable and prosperous lives.
Representing a diverse community of professionals, WSB has established more than 400 financial centers and reached over 90,000 individuals through workshops and educational programs delivered in homes, libraries, schools, universities, places of worship, businesses, and online platforms.
Their financial literacy curriculum covers:
- Building savings and wealth;
- Increasing cash flow and managing debt;
- Understanding protection strategies;
- Learning about investments and retirement planning;
- Achieving long-term goals; and
- Preserving wealth for future generations.
Changing Mindsets About Money
A central theme of Mr. De La Cruz’s presentation was the importance of mindset.
He noted that many immigrants arrive in Canada with dreams and aspirations, but without adequate financial knowledge, those dreams can be difficult to achieve. He encouraged newcomers to identify their goals and understand their “why” before focusing on the practical steps of managing money.
“Everything starts in the mind,” he said. “Financial education begins with understanding our relationship with money and developing habits that support our future.”
Building a Strong Financial Foundation
Mr. De La Cruz compared financial security to constructing a house, emphasizing that a strong foundation is necessary before building wealth.
He outlined several pillars of a healthy financial future:
- Proper financial protection for families;
- Debt reduction and responsible money management;
- Emergency savings for unexpected circumstances; and
- Long-term investments that allow money to grow over time.
He stressed that emergency savings are especially important for newcomers, describing them as one of the most valuable habits families can develop.
“If you teach people to save for a rainy day, you will do tremendously great things for them,” he noted.
Financial Education for Everyone
While his presentation focused on refugees and newcomers, Mr. De La Cruz emphasized that financial literacy is a universal need.
“Financial education is not just for newcomers,” he said. “Even people who were born and raised here face many of the same challenges. Everyone benefits from learning how money works.”
He encouraged participants to avoid procrastination and begin planning for their future immediately, reminding attendees that while yesterday may have been the best time to start, today is the second-best opportunity.
Making Money Work for You
Concluding his address, Mr. De La Cruz encouraged families to move beyond simply exchanging time for money and instead learn how to make money work for them through disciplined saving and investing.
He emphasized that understanding financial principles enables individuals and families to become self-reliant and better positioned to support others.
“At the end of the day, what matters is what we build to help ourselves and help others,” he said.
Mr. De La Cruz’s presentation highlighted the critical role of financial literacy in promoting successful integration, economic participation, and long-term well-being for refugees and newcomers in Canada.
The International Conference on Refugee & Newcomer Well-Being, organized by Let’s Help International (LHI), brought together diverse stakeholders under the theme “Seeing, Supporting, and Celebrating Newcomers, Refugees, and Displaced Communities.” The conference provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovative solutions aimed at strengthening the well-being and inclusion of refugees and newcomers across Canada and beyond.
