KAWARTHA LAKES-BGC Kawarthas will receive $173,750 to allow for more after-school recreational activities, safe supervised sports, and opportunities for children to develop leadership skills and improve personal wellness.
“This is a critical financial contribution to our After School Programs, helping us offer affordable, high-quality, accessible out-of-school care for children and youth. In a recent survey of our participants, 80% reported being more comfortable being themselves because of BGC Kawarthas, and over 70% said they were more physically active because of the club. Providing inclusive, high-quality programming that helps develop healthy, confident young people is our commitment to the community.” said Amy Terrill, Executive Director
It’s part of a $13.5 million investment through Ontario’s After School Program to support 110 organizations throughout the 2022-2023 school year, making sure opportunities are available for children and youth to be active and healthy.
“The experience of the past two years has highlighted the importance of sport and recreation programs to individual and community well-being,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “These programs are at the heart of Ontario’s communities and our government is committed to working with our partners, educators and community leaders to support opportunities for children, youth and families to be active and healthy.”
Through Ontario’s After School Program, more than 20,000 children and youth, from kindergarten to Grade 12, have access to safe supervised sports and recreational activities in 80 communities across the province, including 11 First Nations communities. In addition to helping the kids of Kawartha Lakes stay active and engaged in unstructured play and activities such as Basketball, Dancing, or Soccer, Ontario’s After School Program also helps children enhance their nutritional education, build higher self-esteem, and, more importantly, creates a positive and equitable anti-bullying atmosphere.
“After-school programs are important for supporting local youth across our community. The grant provided to BGC Kawarthas allows funds to be used to enhance recreational activities that aim to keep our community’s youth physically active and healthy” said MPP Laurie Scott, Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock.
