RBC donates $2.7 million to 105 after school programs across Canada

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the RBC After School Grants Project announced donations totalling $2.7 million to help 105 community-based organizations across Canada deliver after school programs for the 2012-2013 school year. These organizations offer a diverse range of programs, including those for inner-city children and Aboriginal youth, with activities such as computer instruction, sports, literacy tutoring, music and art lessons, nutrition guidance, and homework help.

RBC After School Grants, ranging from $25,000 to $40,000, are considered a seal of approval for program providers, not only helping them launch or amplify programming, but also enabling them to attract funding from other sources.

To qualify for an RBC grant, after school programs must offer structured and supervised activities for children between the ages of six and 17. The programs must focus on what RBC calls the "three Ss" -- safety, social skills and self-esteem.

Since 1999, RBC has provided more than $27 million in grants to 248 community-based, after school programs in Canada, helping almost 29,000 children. Grant recipients are selected with the help of local advisory panels.

"In the thirteen years we've been funding after school programs, we've seen first-hand how kids enrolled in these programs are more confident and motivated to stay in school," says Shari Austin, vice-president, corporate citizenship at RBC. "We're confident that all our new and returning grant recipients will have a tremendous impact in helping kids realize their potential."

Of the 105 organizations being announced today, 22 are first-time RBC grant recipients, including:

ATLANTIC

• Boys and Girls Club of Spryfield, Fairview Site ($40,000): RBC will fund the crucial first year of start up for this Nova Scotia-based program.
• Whitney Pier Youth Club ($40,000): RBC will fund integrated programs for youth in this Nova Scotia community, including a homework club that encourages mentorship among club members.

QUEBEC

• Atelier 850 ($40,000): RBC will fund programs for 70 youth aged 6 - 16 in Quebec City designed to motivate learning.
• Patro Laval Inc. ($37,000): RBC will fund the continuation of sports programs that keep kids off the streets.

ONTARIO

• Community Action Resource Centre ($32,000): RBC will fund expanded availability and programming for Toronto children, including a new youth mentorship program.
• Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre ($39,000): RBC will fund expanded programming for young children, as well as increased leadership and community engagement activities for older youth in Toronto.
• Warden Woods Church and Community Centre ($40,000): RBC will fund the creation of an after school program at a new site in this underserved community in Toronto.
• St. James Town Family Literacy Services ($30,000): RBC will fund the provision of direct support to children, ensuring this Toronto program has an appropriate ratio of students to supervisors, better volunteer recognition and increased staff training.
• Shkoday Abinojiiwak Obimiwedoon ($40,000). RBC will fund a range of programming for urban Aboriginal youth in Thunder Bay, giving them an opportunity to improve their cultural, mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Rideau Community Health Services ($40,000): RBC's funding will help this organization create individualized education plans and enrichment opportunities for children in Smiths Falls.
• Canadian Mental Health Association, Durham Branch ($40,000): RBC will provide start-up funds for a program offering social assistance to local youth in Oshawa.
• Reach out Centre for Kids (ROCK) ($31,000): RBC will fund the purchase of critical supplies, helping remove access barriers for youth in Burlington.
• Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre ($40,000): RBC will fund expanded youth programming in London to bridge the gap between home and school.
• Town of Ingersoll, Fusion Youth Activity & Technology Centre ($37,500): RBC will fund the enhancement of existing programs and enable the Centre to offer several new programs and services for rural youth.

MANITOBA

• Children's Heritage Fund, Gordon Bell High School ($40,000): RBC will fund a new program to meet the needs of the diverse student population in Winnipeg.

SASKATCHEWAN

• Boys and Girls Clubs Saskatoon, White Buffalo Clubhouse ($35,000): RBC's funding will help this program deliver aboriginal cultural activities, including mentoring with elders, native drumming and dancing, along with traditional sports and homework instruction.

ALBERTA

• Multicultural Family Resources Society ($40,000): RBC will fund this program in the Boyle/Macauley community in Edmonton that provides youth with skills and knowledge to improve success in school through the homework club.
• Boys and Girls of Diamond Valley ($40,000): RBC will fund this program where Nanton children can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

• Fort St. John Friendship Society ($25,000): RBC will fund the Keeginaw Kids After School Program, filling a gap in the community for affordable, safe, fun and multi-faceted programming for children.
• City of Abbotsford ($33,000): RBC will fund the Power Hours After School Program for youth that provides homework assistance, community learning, mentors, recreation and art opportunities.
• South Burnaby Neighbourhood House Society ($40,000): RBC will fund a program that focuses on social, physical, cognitive and emotional well-being.
• Board of Education of School District No. 36 (Surrey) - Senator Reid Elementary School ($40,000): RBC will fund the provision of support and resources to children and families in this inner city community.

Returning grant recipients include:

ATLANTIC

• Boys and Girls Club of Spryfield ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Moncton ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Preston ($24,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Saint John ($25,600)
• Boys and Girls Club of Dartmouth ($20,000)
• Riverview Boys and Girls Club ($21,600)
• Sackville Boys and Girls Clubs ($28,000)
• School District 03 - École Régionale-de-Saint-André ($20,000)
• School District 16, Department of Education, Eleanor W. Graham Middle School, River of Fire After-School Program ($20,000)
• Annapolis Valley Regional School Board - Somerset After School Program ($20,000)
• Community Association of Virginia Park ($28,800)
• MacMorran Community Centre ($20,000)
• Shelburne County Youth and Health Support Association ($36,000)

QUEBEC

• Toujours ensemble ($20,000)
• L'Oasis des enfants de Rosemont ($20,000)
• la maison Tremplin de Longueuil ($20,000)
• Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre ($20,000)
• Saint Columba House($20,000)
• Action Jeunesse St-Pie X de Longueuil (Maison de jeunes Kekpart) ($20,000)
• Club Garcons et Filles de LaSalle/Boys and Girls Club of LaSalle ($20,000)
• La Maison des jeunes Par La Grand'Porte ($24,000)
• Maison d'accueil Mutchmore ($20,000)
• Dawson Community Centre ($23,200)
• Le Projet Harmonie ($32,000)
• Centre Communautaire Hochelaga ($31,000)

ONTARIO

• Boys and Girls Club of Niagara, St. Catharines ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Kingston ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Durham, Eastview ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, Britannia ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes, Kirkfield ($28,800)
• Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay ($28,800)
• St. Alban's Boys and Girls Club ($26,000)
• Langs Farm Village Association ($20,000)
• Hamilton Wentworth District School Board - Wever Afterschool Ventures in Education (WAVE) ($21,200)
• Greater Essex County District School Board - Dr. H.D. Taylor P.S. ($20,000)
• Elgin-St. Thomas Youth Employment Counselling Centre ($27,200)
• Harmony for Youth ($36,000)
• Kemptville Youth Centre ($20,000)
• Tri-County Literacy Council ($20,000)
• Essa Public Library, EPL After School Program ($32,000)
• Wasauksing First Nation ($36,000)
• San Romanoway Revitalization Association ($25,000)
• St. Leonard's Society of Metropolitan Toronto ($20,000)
• Native Child and Family Services of Toronto ($20,000)
• Ralph Thornton Community Organization ($20,000)
• Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office ($20,000)
• YMCA of Greater Toronto, Peel Youth Village ($20,000)
• Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre ($30,000)
• St. Stephen's Community House ($20,000)
• Toronto Foundation for Student Success, Kane Middle School ($32,000)

MANITOBA

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, Norquay Boys and Girls Club ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, Aberdeen ($32,000)
• Thompson Boys and Girls Club ($28,800)
• Spence Neighbourhood Association ($20,000)
• Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba ($24,000)
• School District of Mystery Lake, Wapanohk Community School ($20,000)

SASKATCHEWAN

• Battlefords Boys and Girls Club ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Yorkton ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Saskatoon, Pleasant Hill Club ($21,600)
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Regina ($36,000)
• YMCA of Saskatoon, King George Program ($27,200)

ALBERTA

• Boys and Girls Club of Edmonton ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Wetaskiwin ($18,000)
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary, Pineridge Club ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary, Forest Lawn Club ($22,400)
• Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Edson and District ($20,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Leduc ($25,000)
• Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer and District ($28,800)
• Airdrie Boys and Girls Clubs ($32,000)

BRITISH COLUMBIA

• Board of Education of School District No. 39 (Vancouver) - Visions Athletic ($20,000)
• Board of Education of School District No. 39 (Vancouver) - Hastings East Community Programs Society - Kids First ($20,000)
• Board of Education of School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) - Twin Rivers 360° Program ($20,000)
• Board of Education of School District No. 79 (Cowichan Valley) - Smun'eem After School Club ($20,000)
• Board of Education of School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) - Glen Elementary School ($21,600)
• Board of Education of School District No. 36 (Surrey) - Prince Charles Elementary School - DREAM Academy ($30,000)
• Board of Education of School District No. 36 (Surrey) - KB Woodward Elementary School - ROOTS ($36,000)
• Board of Education of School District No. 34 (Abbotsford) - Clearbrook Elementary School ($28,800)
• School District No. 33 (Chilliwack) - Chilliwack Central Elementary ($20,000)
• Boys & Girls Club of Kamloops ($20,000)
• Strathcona Community Centre Association ($20,000)

NUNAVUT

• Kitikmeot Heritage Society ($28,800)

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

• Side Door Ministries ($25,600)

About the RBC After School Grants Project
The RBC After School Grants Project is a multi-year philanthropic commitment to support community-based organizations that provide programs for children and youth aged 6-17 with structured, supervised activities that enhance safety, social skills and self-esteem.

RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders, and is one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations and one of the Best Workplaces in Canada. In 2011, RBC contributed more than $98 million to community causes worldwide, through donations of more than $64 million, and an additional $34 million in sponsorship of community events and national organizations.

SOURCE: RBC