From Participant to Colleague: Raegan’s Momentum Journey

One of the things I value most in my role at Momentum is the opportunity to build real, personal connections with participants. Getting to know participants beyond the programs, hearing their stories, celebrating their growth and building a relationship is what makes this work so meaningful to me. On rare and especially powerful occasions, those relationships come full circle in a way I never take for granted: when a former participant joins our team and we get to work together as colleagues.

Raegan Reiter’s journey with Momentum is one of those full-circle stories—and one that also reminds me of the transformative power of financial empowerment.

Raegan grew up in a family living on low income. Her parents worked hard and did their best, but coming from poverty themselves, they only knew so much. As Raegan has shared openly, her parents fought about money a lot, and eventually the stress became too much. In one of the years leading up to her parents' separation—when Raegan just turned 18—they collectively earned just $23,000.

Raegan was 20 and trying to figure out how to go to college and build a future for herself when she learned about Momentum. At the time, her mom was staying in a shelter, and our team came in to deliver a credit workshop.

After the workshop, Raegan signed up for Matched Savings for Youth, a Momentum program that helps young people learn about money while earning money they can use toward school. Through the program, Raegan learned several practical and empowering financial skills. Two classes stood out as her favourites: credit and taxes. In fact, Raegan loves doing her taxes now and describes it as “filling in a colour-by-number, except with money,” which I think might be the first time anyone has ever said that with genuine enthusiasm.

After graduating from Matched Savings for Youth and completing her Social Work diploma, Raegan began working for non-profit organizations supporting high-risk youth. She also started volunteering regularly with Momentum, staying connected to the organization that had supported her during such a pivotal time in her life.

Raegan and I first met when she was the keynote speaker at our annual Breakfast fundraising event in 2022. Standing at the podium, she shared how Momentum helped turn a painful transition into a time of growth. She spoke about learning important things about money like credit, assets, banking and about how to plan for the future. She also discovered her passion for helping others and a healthier relationship with money through the program.As Raegan put it: “With a new relationship towards money, I feel healthier and happier and can do more of the things that I love.”

I wasn’t the only one moved by Raegan's story. When she finished, the entire room rose to their feet in a standing ovation. I was incredibly grateful that she was willing to trust us with her story.

Over the next few years, Raegan continued volunteering with Momentum. She helped at events, participated in a focus group to help shape our website, and stayed engaged in ways that reflected her care for the community and our mission.

Then, in early 2025, we posted a job opening to join our fund development team. When the hiring process wrapped up, I was thrilled to learn that she was the top candidate.

Since joining our team, Raegan has been an incredible addition. She played a meaningful role in our most successful fund development year to date (with a heartfelt thank you to our generous donors who made that possible). Her lived experience—growing up in a family living on a low income—keeps our fundraising work grounded in reality. It’s a powerful reminder that behind every dollar raised is a real person, a real family, and a real opportunity for change.

As Raegan has shared, working at Momentum is something she believes in because she has lived through the life-changing impact our programs have, and it gives her the opportunity to pay that support forward. For me, it’s incredibly meaningful to connect with her not just as a former participant, but as a colleague I get to work alongside as we strive to make a difference in our community.

Raegan’s journey is a powerful example of what financial empowerment can unlock. I’m so grateful to know her and to work together toward a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Matched Savings for Youth program, you can get more information on our website.