Thursday, August 13, 2015
Ministry of Education
Ontario Helping More At-Risk Youth Learn Beyond the Classroom
Summer Programming for Young People Expanding to Five New Communities
Ontario is expanding a summer program that provides at-risk children and youth with work experience and leadership opportunities to five new communities.
The province is investing $1 million to support the Focus on Youth Summer Program, including its expansion to Brantford, Kingston, Peterborough, Sudbury and Thunder Bay. The program will provide:
- Summer programming, such as day camps, for children in identified high needs neighbourhoods
- Job opportunities and leadership activities for youth
- Free school space for community-based programs in safe, supportive environments
The program, which will begin in Brantford, Kingston, Peterborough, Sudbury and Thunder Bay in summer 2016, empowers young people to extend their learning during the summer months beyond the classroom. Parents and students interested in applying for next year's intake of the program should contact their local school board directly.
Providing children and youth with the best opportunity to succeed is part of the government's four-part plan to build Ontario up. The plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history, creating a dynamic and innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
Quick Facts:
- The Focus on Youth Summer Program was created in 2007 through Ontario’s $4 million investment to help school boards partner with community agencies. This investment increased to $7 million in 2013
- Since 2007, 145,000 children and youth from under-serviced inner city and other urban areas in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Windsor and the regions of Peel, York, and Durham have participated in daily summer programming
- Approximately 8,000 young people have been employed through the program since 2007
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
“We are pleased to expand the Focus on Youth program to Brantford, Kingston, Peterborough, Sudbury and Thunder Bay. Children and youth in these communities will benefit from positive summer activities that will allow them to focus on learning, gain work experience and build a promising future.”
— Liz Sandals, Minister of Education
Media Contacts:
Gary Wheeler
Communications Branch
416-325-2454
gary.s.wheeler@ontario.ca
Nilani Logeswaran
Minister's Office
416-314-6020
nilani.logeswaran@ontario.ca
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