Ontario Boosting Opportunities for Children and Youth to Stay Active and Engaged – After School Program Providing Fun and Safe Activities Across the Province

Ontario is providing opportunities for 21,000 children and youth to participate in sport, recreation and active living programs after school to help build self-esteem, promote success in school and boost well being.

Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Arthur Potts, MPP for Beaches-East York, were at the Stan Wadlow Clubhouse today to announce that the province is renewing funding for its After School Program. The program gets students moving through activities like soccer, basketball or dance, teaches healthy eating habits and promotes relationship building. About 30 children and youth take part in the City of Toronto program at Stan Wadlow Clubhouse every school day.

“Ontario’s After School Program plays a key role in keeping our children healthy and active, while developing confidence and learning skills that will empower them to succeed as they grow up. It was a wonderful opportunity to participate in the activities at the City of Toronto’s Stan Wadlow Centre and see the After School Program in action today. I am inspired by the organizers, providers and leaders for delivering this important program and making a difference in the lives of young people across the province.”— Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

This year, 122 organizations will deliver the After School program at over 400 locations across the province. Through participation in the program, children and youth gain confidence, have fun and achieve more in school. Ontario’s commitment to delivering high quality after school programming provides youth in priority neighborhoods an opportunity to stay active and engaged.

Investing in sport, recreation and active living in communities across the province is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is investing $13.5 million in the After School Program for the 2017-18 school year.
• 135,000 children and youth to participate in after school programming.
• The program is delivered by municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, non-profit and grassroots recreational organizations. Activities may include sport and recreation, arts and crafts, nutrition, and health and wellness education.
• Ontario’s After School Program supports Game ON – The Ontario Government’s Sport Plan, which aims to create opportunities for all Ontarians to get involved in sport.
• The After School Program also supports Advancing Opportunities for Women and Girls in Sport: Ontario’s Action Plan by providing accessible opportunities for girls to participate in physical activity and sport during the after school time period.