ONTARIO INCREASES FUNDING TO HELP KIDS STAY ACTIVE AND HEALTHY

Province increases investment in local after school programs for children and youth

NEWS – October 20th, 2023

HAMILTON —The Ontario government is investing $948,595 through Ontario’s After School Program to support several organizations such as BGC of Hamilton-Halton, Eva Rothwell Centre, YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford, YWCA Hamilton, the City of Hamilton, and Wesley Urban Industries in the Hamilton region.

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.

“As a mom and grandmother, I recognize the importance of good nutrition and promoting healthy lifestyles to nourish bodies and minds,” said Donna Skelly MPP, Flamborough-Glanbrook. “This funding will allow more children and youth to succeed and thrive in communities across Ontario.”

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.”

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.

QUICK FACTS

Ontario’s After School Program was launched in 2009 and is currently delivered by 110 organizations across Ontario that support low-income and northern/rural communities, Francophone neighbourhoods and First Nations.
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, including 11 First Nations communities.
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.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Ontario’s After School Program

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For more information, contact MPP Donna Skelly at 905-679-3770 or donna.skelly@pc.ola.org