ONTARIO HELPING KIDS STAY ACTIVE AND HEALTHY

Province investing in local after school programs for children and youth

October 8th, 2024

HAMILTON — The Ontario government is investing $928,428 through Ontario’s After School Program to support six organizations in Hamilton to deliver active recreation programming. The organizations include:

  • BGC Hamilton-Halton
  • Eva Rothwell Centre
  • Wesley Urban Ministries
  • YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford
  • YWCA of Hamilton
  • City of Hamilton

This investment is part of $14.6 million in funding that the province is providing to Ontario’s After School Program for the 2024-25 school year. 

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 proud to support opportunities for children and youth throughout Ontario to lead active and healthy lifestyles,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “This funding will expand access to vital resources and enable partner organizations to continue delivering high-quality, tailored active recreation programming that aligns with the needs of local communities.”

As part of the government’s $24 million budget to support initiatives that help promote equity in sport and recreation, this funding will create opportunities for children and youth across the province to be more physically active and engaged, and to develop leadership skills.

“This investment is welcomed and appreciated by our community,” said Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook. “I’m proud of our government for recognizing the importance of providing local sport and recreation programs for children and youth across the province. All children deserve the opportunity to participate in fun, safe and supervised activities.”

Families interested in Ontario’s After School Program can contact an ASP delivery partner for more information about eligibility requirements and services that are offered by their program.


QUICK FACTS

  • Ontario’s After School Program was launched in 2009 and is currently delivered by 111 organizations across Ontario including municipalities, First Nations and community-based, non-profits with a sport and recreation mandate, such as YMCAs and BGC Clubs. 
  • Ontario’s After School Program supports supervised sport and recreational activities for more than 13,000 children and youth, from kindergarten to grade 12, in more than 80 communities across the province.
  • Organizations receiving funding are as follows: BGC Hamilton-Halton $470,475.00; Eva Rothwell Centre $78,000.00; Wesley Urban Ministries $128,458.00; YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford $71,750.00; YWCA Hamilton $106,153.00; City of Hamilton $73,592.00.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Ontario’s After School Program