$223,000 delivered to underserved kids through Growing Active Kids program

Toronto Community Foundation (TCF) today announced it will distribute $223,000 in grants so hundreds of youth in Toronto’s underserved areas can take part in summer and after-school sports and recreation programs. The funding, provided through donations to TCF’s Growing Active Kids program, means children and youth aged four to 18 can join in on everything from soccer, cricket and dance to steel pans and urban music production.

Eighteen organizations that encourage leadership, mentoring, role modeling and positive social development have been chosen to receive up to $15,000 each to help youth overcome financial and other barriers to sports and arts programs.

The 2006 Growing Active Kids grant program will be featured at a Toronto Blue Jays pre-game presentation tonight by Anne Swarbrick, President and CEO of the Toronto Community Foundation and Paul Godfrey, President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. Two hundred children and youth and representatives from the eighteen community organizations receiving the grants will attend the game as a kick-off to summer holidays and programs.

“The Growing Active Kids program means children and youth who may otherwise not have access to community programs can join in sports and arts programs,” said Anne Swarbrick. “The program gives young people opportunities to connect with their community, develop positive social networks and nurture leadership abilities. Through Growing Active Kids, and the community programs it supports, youth develop self-assurance and accountability to themselves and their community.”

Examples of impact of past grants include support for a soccer league in Flemingdon Park, a peer-mentoring program for newcomer youth in South Riverdale and wilderness canoe opportunities for youth from the Jane and Finch area.

This year’s Growing Active Kids grant recipients are:

  • Agincourt Community Services Association
  • Children’s Peace Theatre
  • Boundless Adventure Association
  • Delta Family Resource Centre
  • COSTI Immigrant Services
  • Dixon Hall
  • Grenoble Public School and Flemingdon Park Parent’s Association Soccer League
  • Geneva Centre for Autism Foundation
  • LAMP Community Heath Centre
  • Neighbourhood Link Homes
  • Nightwood Theatre Company
  • Ralph Thornton Community Organization
  • San Romanoway Revitalization Association
  • Toronto City Mission
  • Toronto Cycling Committee
  • Camp Toronto Triple Threat Bursary Fund
  • YMCA of Greater Toronto
  • Touchstone Youth Centre and Beatz to da Streetz

About Toronto Community Foundation

The Toronto Community Foundation (TCF) <http://www.tcf.ca/>www.tcf.ca is a charitable organization dedicated to improving life in Toronto. TCF helps philanthropic citizens establish endowment funds and invests charitable gifts from a range of donors into a pooled income-earning fund. Each year, TCF identifies areas of need and provides support to donors to help ensure grants from fund earnings will have the greatest impact on Toronto’s vital signs. The TCF’s Growing Active Kids program is one of three annual grant streams supported by TCF’s “Toronto Fund”. Growing Active Kids  supports groups in Toronto that are working to increase access to recreational activities for children and youth.