YMCA gets help to send kids to summer camp

YMCA News Release

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Children’s physical activity habits are formed by age 11 and last the rest of their lives. In order to get children and youth active, the Ontario Government is providing $1.25 million to the YMCAs of Ontario to help kids lead healthier lives.

This generous investment by the Ministry of Health Promotion to YMCA Strong Kids will enable YMCAs and YMCA-YWCAs across Ontario to provide access to recreation and summer camps to over 10,000 children and youth from low-income families.

“We’re very excited about this opportunity to reach more kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity. The YMCA of North Bay will receive $15,319 of the funding from the Ontario government. It will go towards the Strong Kids Campaign and Day Camps to assist 125 more kids,” says Kim Kanmacher, CEO.

“The Ontario government’s investment in the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign will help ensure that all children and youth have access to recreation programs,” said Margarett Best, Ontario’s Minister of Health Promotion. “We are very pleased to have the YMCA as a partner because they demonstrate outstanding leadership in the areas of health, fitness and recreation and this builds on our commitment to improve the health and well-being of all Ontarians.”

Each YMCA association offers unique programs to serve the needs of their community. By building stronger kids, we build stronger families. By building stronger families, we build a stronger community.

The YMCAs of Ontario reach over 1 million people annually through our program areas of healthy, active living; early learning and child care; youth support services; employment and skills development; and newcomer integration. Reaching into the smallest and the largest communities in Ontario, the YMCA is a charity based on community support and development, enabling our members to grow and flourish.

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