More than 100 youth organizations will benefit from an investment from Ontario's government.
The province announced $15.3 million in funding for sports and recreation programs to keep kids active.
"Our government is proud to support opportunities for children and youth throughout Ontario to lead active and healthy lifestyles," said Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden. "This funding will expand access to vital resources and enable partner organizations to continue delivering high-quality, tailored active recreation programming that aligns with the needs of local communities."
It's believed the investment will help more than 13,000 children, from kindergarten to Grade 12, enjoy supervised sport and recreation activities.
The money will be split up as follows:
$14.6 million to Ontario's After School Program (ASP) - to help children and youth in more than 80 communities be active and healthy.
$550,000 to Special Olympics Ontario - to expand the Unified Sport Program to more schools across the province. This program strengthens student engagement and well-being through inclusive team sport activities for students with and without intellectual disabilities.
$100,000 to Jays Care - to help more girls benefit from sports programming, while training educators and coaches on how to promote inclusion in sport.
$59,000 to Canadian Women & Sport - to research the underrepresentation of girls, young women, and marginalized youth in sport/physical activity and share findings with school boards. The funding will also be used to help boards identify and address gender equity challenges in their schools.
Jill Dunlop, Ontario's Minister of Education, said that this investment is the latest effort by the government to help students succeed.
"Promoting physical and mental well-being inside and outside the classroom is key to helping students stay healthy and focused on getting back to basics, including reading, writing, math, and STEM," she stated.
Ontario's ASP was launched in 2009 and is delivered by groups such as YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs. Families interested in eligibility requirements and what kind of services are offered can find more information here.