NEWS: News Release
July 8, 2008
CHILDREN AND YOUTH - GETTING ACTIVE, HAVING FUN
AND EATING WELL!
McGuinty Government Helps Promote Physical Activity And Healthy Eating Habits
Minister Best and Youth Council worker Adrian James, 18, practice their sparring skills.
Minister Best with staff and youth from the Boys and Girls Club.
Staff from top left to right: Pam Blanchfield, Mona Ghiami, Sandra Morris, Minister Best, Debbie Smith, and Ron Rock.
Youth from bottom left to right: Shemar Wright, 8, Tyra D’Costa, 9, Jahmilah Barriner, 11, Nathaniel Edu, 11, Tiffany Risborough, 11, Adrian James, 18.
NEWS
Children and youth in low income neighbourhoods will have new opportunities to increase their physical activity and learn healthy eating habits at Boys and Girls Clubs across Ontario.
Ontario is investing $300,000 to help 26 Boys and Girls Clubs across the province purchase new physical fitness equipment, healthy snacks for children’s programs, and additional supplies.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario aim to provide under-serviced children and youth with access to recreation and physical activity programs. All recreation and physical activity programs are accompanied by a nutrition component.
Providing young people with opportunities to enjoy healthy and active lifestyles so that they can reach their full potential is part of the McGuinty government’s commitment to develop a poverty reduction plan. Ontario’s poverty reduction plan will enable more Ontarians to work, build and contribute to a stronger economy.
QUOTES
“This investment will help provide more opportunities for children, particular children from low income families to have access to recreation programs,” said Margarett Best, Ontario’s Minister of Health Promotion. “We are very pleased to have Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario 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.”
“The Boys and Girls Club is committed to providing a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, and build positive relationships through our recreation programs,” says Sandra Morris, Regional Director, Capacity Building and Community Affairs. “The Ontario government’s investment will allow at risk children and youth to participate in physical activities and develop healthy eating habits – empowering them to lead healthier lives.”
QUICK FACTS
- The Boys and Girls Club (BGCO) of Ontario serves children and youth in low-income neighbourhoods in 52 communities across Ontario through 30 facilities and numerous outreach sites.
- Between1981 and 1996, the number of obese children in Canada between the ages of seven and 13 tripled.
- Fifty-seven per cent of youth aged 12-19 are not active enough for optimal growth and development. BGCO is helping the Ontario government achieve our goal of seeing 55 per cent of Ontarians physically active enough to benefit their health.
LEARN MORE
Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario support the goals of Ontario’s sport and physical activity strategy ACTIVE2010 and the Healthy Eating Active Living Action Plan.
Andrew Campbell, Minister’s Office, 416-326-8500
Julie Rosenberg, Communications, 416-326-4833
