Province increases investment in local after school programs for children and youth
Peterborough-Kawartha – The Ontario government is investing $100,449 through Ontario’s After School Program to support The City of Peterborough and The YMCA of Central Ontario in Peterborough-County
This investment is part of the $1.1 million in additional funding that the province is providing to Ontario’s After School Program for the 2023-24 school year, bringing total funding support to $14.6 million.
This program is improving the health and well-being of children and youth and encouraging their development of leadership skills through safe and supervised sport and recreation activities. Participants are also provided with a healthy snack and additional programming, such as academic support and arts and cultural activities, tailored to meet the needs of the local community.
“Our government is supporting opportunities for children and youth to be active and healthy,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “This $1.1 million increase in funding will enable after school programs to continue to serve high-priority neighbourhoods and tailor their programming to align with the needs of the local community.”
“Ontario’s After School Program is critical to maintaining positive physical and mental well-being of children across the province,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “By expanding access to these programs, we are helping to instill confidence, leadership development and life skills in youth across Ontario.”
“All of the skills you need to succeed in life can be found through sports, recreational activities and community engagement,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough- Kawartha. “These investments are not only seen through the sustainability of the programs, but also through the life skills learned from the youth who participate.” Added MPP Smith.
This significant investment will help to offset rising program delivery costs and inflation and provide additional funding support to the 110 organizations that administer safe and supervised activities to more than 13,000 children and youth across the province.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
“This funding will help support the Downtown Youth Space, a supervised recreational program for youth aged 12 to 18 in Peterborough,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. I want to thank MPP Dave Smith and the Government of Ontario for supporting youth in our community.” Mayor Leal added.
“The YMCA of Central East Ontario welcome’s the funding announcement and investment from the Government of Ontario into Ontario’s After School Programs to improve the health of young children,” said David Allen President and CEO of the YMCA of Central East Ontario. “Getting young children involved in physical activity and recreation programming at an early age will impact their long-term health and well-being. Our goal is to get young people involved in programs that will improve their physical and mental health today and engage children so physical activity becomes a part of who they are as they enter their teen years and adulthood. A healthy lifestyle is long-term and ultimately in a positive way, will impact their need, or should we say not need for the services of our health care system. It is about prevention.” Added David Allen.
QUICK FACTS
- ASP delivery partner for more information about eligibility requirements and services that are offered by their program.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario’s After School Program
| MEDIA CONTACT Dave Smith Action Centre 705-742-3777 David.smith@pc.ola.org | |