After school program offers opportunity for at-risk youth

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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Students in North Bay will be given the opportunity to improve their personal health and wellness, while enjoying after-school activities, through the province’s After-School Initiative.

Programs under this initiative will be available at more than 270 sites in priority neighbourhoods across Ontario, benefiting 15,500 children and youth from grades one to 12. In North Bay, a total of 300 children will benefit from programs at 9 sites.

The City of North Bay will deliver the program to 150 children at the following schools:
Silver Birches, Cité des Jeunes, Caldwell/Ellam Community Centre and Alliance.
The North Bay YMCA will deliver the program to 150 children at the following schools:
Dr. MacDougall, St. Vincent Public School, Mother St. Bride, Marshall Park and J.W. Trusler.

Programs under Ontario’s After-School Initiative must include:

- healthy eating and nutrition education to help combat childhood obesity

- physical activity to encourage active lifestyles,

- personal health and wellness education to promote self-esteem, and

- other activities to address specific priorities based on local community needs.

The programs support the Review on the Roots of Youth Violence Report, which recommended that after-school programs be available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to promote good nutrition and positive activity.

The after-school initiative is also an important part of Breaking the Cycle: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, which will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years — lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty — by boosting benefits for low–income families and enhancing publicly-funded education.

“The After-School Initiative will support families in North Bay by increasing the number of healthy, safe places for children after school,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. “This initiative will also encourage more kids to be physically active, to learn about healthy food and healthy living, and develop skills to build their self-confidence and self-esteem.”

“As part of the McGuinty government’s poverty-reduction plan, Ontario’s After-School Initiative will support efforts to break the cycle of poverty and violence. We are giving young people in priority neighbourhoods the tools and supports they need to help them reach their full potential,” said Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion.

“The City of North Bay is very pleased to be working with the Ministry of Health Promotion, our area school boards and other community partners to deliver an After School Program for our area. These programs will offer an excellent opportunity for our youth to participate in sports, culture and a homework program outside of the classroom setting,” said Mayor Victor Fedeli, City of North Bay.

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“The North Bay YMCA is a values-base, charity dedicated to healthy living and community building. Today’s after-school strategy announcement by the Ministry of Health promotion demonstrates Ontario’s commitment to healthy children and youth in our community,” said Kim Kanmacher, CEO of the North Bay YMCA. “We are very pleased and look forward to working with the Government of Ontario, our municipality, school boards, and not-for profit sector partners to deliver and engage more children and youth in a high quality health related after-school program aimed at improving the overall health of children and youth in North Bay.

QUICK FACTS

- The rate of obesity among 12 to 17 year-old Canadian adolescents almost tripled over the past 25 years.

- According to a report funded by the Canadian Council on Learning, by age 15, children are unlikely to learn new activities or develop leisure skills (i.e. music, arts, dance).

- The province remains committed to implementing full-day learning for four and five year olds – another important part of Breaking the Cycle.

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