Business
The Builder’s Blueprint – Changing the mind-set around money in a fun, and practical way
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
While the pandemic was a rough time for a lot of people, this time was a blessing for some, especially those who used this time to work on themselves, work on their businesses, and for one particular family, they spent this time teaching their children about something that is not taught in school. During this time, this family came together with a bunch of ideas and formulated a plan to create their very own board game to help expose their children to topics surrounding financial literacy.
Liza and her husband realized that the current “system” was not teaching their children the real-life skills they needed to survive in the real world.
“We are taught to go to school, get an education, get a job, grow someone else’s business and basically live paycheque to paycheque until we depart from the earth,” Liza shares with me. “We are not taught how to build credit so that we can access funds and how to multiply those funds. We are not taught proper “money management” and how to make our money work for us. We are not taught the real truth about assets vs. liabilities. The sad truth is, that most people will live like this and trade time for money. This is not the kind of life we want to live nor the kind of life we want for our children.”
Liza, the mother of three young black entrepreneurs have created and developed their very own board game.
“I am proud to say that my children are THE FIRST BLACK KIDS TO CREATE AND OWN A REAL ESTATE BOARD GAME! Two years ago, what started as an idea has now finally manifested into a physical product! The initial idea came from my kids in a conversation we were having about: owning assets, property and building generational wealth. We nurtured this idea and helped them to understand the process from ground zero. We helped them along their journey and made their vision a reality.”
The board game is called “The Builders Blueprint.” It is exactly as the name suggests. It’s what builders use to build homes for a fraction of the current market value, which in turn gives them “instant equity” in that property. The game in essence teaches the real-life process of building a house. The game also introduces children to topics such as: establishing credit in order to get a mortgage or construction loan, buying land, the five phases of building a home and most importantly, equity transfer. Using the process of equity transfer will allow you to actually own and enjoy a debt free asset.
“This game,” Liza continues, “will give our future generations a different perspective of building wealth and ultimately how to be able to attain financial freedom. Let’s teach them to “unlearn” and “relearn”, change their mindset and open their minds to endless possibilities!
With different cultures, they pass this information down, but no one teaches us about money. My husband and I teach our children as much about financial literacy as possible. If you give children money, they think about what they want to spend it on. In that mind-set, you are putting money in other people’s pockets. So many people die and leave mortgages for their loved ones to take care of. We as parents wanted to give our children the tools that they needed.
In America, they stick together; in Canada everyone is fighting against each other. We are so redeye. As a family, we decided we should build together. We teach them let’s work together, let’s put our money together.
When I look at this generation; these girls will be on welfare, and wearing Louis Vuitton, Gucci, but have no pot to piss in. The only thing that is promised to us in death; we won’t be able to do 20 years from now what we are doing today. We need to think about the future, and not be living hand to mouth. We have to show our children that there is an easier path.”
“What was one of the first financial lessons you taught your children Liza,” I inquired?
“Pay yourself first,” Liza shared enthusiastically. “Whatever money you make, take a percentage of that and pay yourself first. We gave our 18-year-old 1,000 dollars and had her open a compound interest account. She has been putting $100.00 from whatever she makes each month into that account. Our younger daughter turned 18, and we did the same thing with her. We are going to start doing this with our 14 years old. The banks make so much money off us, and many of us have no idea. It is amazing how much is out there that we don’t know.”
As I spoke with Liza, I could hear how excited she was about the experience and so open to sharing this knowledge with like-minded people.
“I am open to sharing this information with people who want to have a positive impact on the minds and lives of the future generations. It is for those of us that want to provide real knowledge (knowledge of self, culture and history) to these youths so they can understand their true abilities, capabilities, gifts and purpose in life. If one of our game owners can learn five lessons from playing this game, we’ve accomplished our goal!”
Liza wrapped up our talk by sharing some exhilarating news with me
“We would love it if you purchased a copy to support this forward movement and encourage the younger generations to strive and accomplish more in life! This is part of our family legacy that will long outlive us, and that we will leave behind with pride of ownership.
Anyone who purchases a game is automatically entered into a draw, and whoever wins, will own a piece of land in Ghana, that we have already purchased. We plan on taking a trip and doing a video of the actual phases being built out. The games are $60.00. We got amazing support from Americans and this is on pre-order sales. Our thing now is getting it out to communities in Canada. This has truly been a humbling experience for our family!”
Yep, I plan on getting my game, and you can too by visiting: Thebuilders-blueprint.com
Business
Victim Services of Durham Region invites Ontario schools and youth to Youth Violence Prevention Symposium
BY PAUL JUNOR
Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR) is committed to educating and informing young people with the knowledge and education they need to make informed decisions regarding critical issues that affect their lives.
In order to fulfill its mission, it will be hosting its annual online Youth Violence Prevention (YVP) Symposium. It will take place over a two-week period on Monday, February 26th and Friday, March 8th, 2024.It will be geared to Grades: 7, 8 and 9 students who will be able to access it using the online learning platform, Learn Worlds.
VSDR has been active over the years in the Durham Region where it has provided a range of services to help those affected and impacted by crime, or sudden tragedies. It is the only one of its kind that offers specialized services and support 24/7, 365 days per year to these individuals.
Their vision is to have a safe community where people are supported, empowered and thriving. The press release states that they provide trauma-informed, anti-oppressive crisis intervention services, including emotional support, safety planning, and financial assistance. In addition, there are translation services available in over 300 languages to those who need them. Case management services are also available, which assist individuals to bypass bureaucratic roadblocks with available:
subsidized housing, income support, medical and police services.
VSDR provides tailored support to survivors and witnesses of all crimes; 85% of its clients have experienced gender-based violence, including: survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Some of the programs VSDR offers are:
- Crisis Response
- System Navigation
- Victim Quick Response Program
- Human Trafficking Prevention/Intervention
- Youth Prevention Workshops
- Professional Training
- Hotel Staff Training
The symposium will consist of accessible online modules that will be broken down into educational content, specific videos and in-class activities that are grade specific and align with curriculum targets. The six modules per grade are:
- Consent & Healthy Relationships
- Human Trafficking
- Online Safety, Cyber Bullying and Image Sharing
- Teen Dating Violence
- Gang Violence & Peer Violence
- Empowerment & Self-Care
The following are aims of the symposium:
- Protect and empower young people.
- Engage with issues like human trafficking, consent, healthy relationship, sextortion, teen dating violence, gang awareness, and cyber safety.
- Provide insights on vulnerabilities and risk factors through activities and presentations.
Through partnerships with schools and educators it has been possible to:
- Provide interactive online modules, games and videos.
- Focus on learning in a safe setting.
- Information on where to seek support provided on the event day and beyond.
Since 2020, the annual Violence Prevention Symposium has made a significant impact in the lives of young people as its program evolves from just focusing on Anti-Human Trafficking to issues that reflect emerging youth trends.
Some of the Impactful Results are:
- Youth knowledge increased from 35% to 97%
- Over 300% decrease in the number of youths educated since 2020
- 48 disclosures received in 2023 as a result of symposium education.
VSDR is anticipating great things from the 2024 symposium. They will continue to adapt and adjust the programs and services they deliver in light of the changing landscape and rapidly evolving world of teenagers.
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