Ontario Invests in Youth Sports and Recreation Programs

The Ontario government announced an investment of $15.3 million aimed at supporting over 100 organizations that provide recreational activities for children and youth across the province. This funding is intended to enhance access to supervised sports and active recreation programs.

The investment will benefit more than 13,000 children and youth from kindergarten to Grade 12 in over 80 communities. The funding breakdown includes:

• $14.6 million allocated through Ontario's After School Program (ASP) to promote active and healthy lifestyles.
• $550,000 designated for Special Olympics Ontario to expand the Unified Sport Program, which promotes inclusion for students with and without intellectual disabilities.
• $100,000 for Jays Care to enhance sports programming for girls and to train educators on promoting inclusion in sports.
• $59,000 for Canadian Women & Sport to research the underrepresentation of girls and marginalized youth in sports and to assist school boards in addressing gender equity challenges.

Families interested in the After School Program can find more information through participating organizations. The government emphasizes that promoting physical and mental well-being is crucial for students' success in academics and overall health.