BGC Canada -Support Young People

Thank you for your continued support to Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC). Your generous donations allow us to continue providing important programs that supports the healthy development of young people.

BGCC recently launched a new program called Dunk for Diabetes. The Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes aims to bring awareness to type 2 diabetes while teaching youth at Boys and Girls Clubs the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. The program has participants take part in weekly, basketball-themed fitness and nutrition challenges, with the chance to win prizes after each challenge is completed. The top 10 kids from each Club location will celebrate their achievements with NBA talent at the end of the program.

As part of the national expansion, over 600 kids from Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada are participating in this innovative six-week program and have committed to maintaining healthy lives on and off the court.

“At Boys and Girls Clubs, we know that physical activity and healthy lifestyles are critical to prevent type 2 diabetes and other health risks,” said Owen Charters, President & CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. “The Dunk for Diabetes pilot program has received rave reviews from our youth and staff, and thanks to Sun Life Financial, NBA Canada, and the Raptors, we are proud to enter the second phase of this national initiative and bring the program to 20 more locations in 2018.”

Thank you again for your generous support.

As the weather gets nicer, many families look for activities to fill the time outside of school hours. This time of year is an important reminder that the hours spent outside of school are critical for children and youth, and it is important that they always have a safe place to be. It’s easy to forget that many families struggle to find a place to send their children, whether it is after school or for their summer vacations. For many parents, the idea that their child could have a productive, engaging place to go when they’re not in school is hard to imagine.

When you support Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, you’re helping many young people overcome significant barriers to a fun, safe place to go during these times. Camps and after-school programs not only provide a safe place for kids, they also provide the opportunity to learn, grow, and try new things. Our Clubs offer a wide variety of activities to choose from, meaning that kids can spend their free time doing everything from visiting museums, to exploring creative passions, and learning new skills.

However kids choose to spend their time at Clubs, staff are trained facilitators who focus on fostering a place of belonging for everyone. Ensuring that a young person meets their full potential is a year-round job and, as a result, our staff maintain a supportive space for children and youth throughout the summer months and during after-school hours. These can be difficult times for many families; kids can struggle when they find themselves without the structure that they are used to during the school day. Our member, Brendan, describes the importance of our Clubs at times like these:

“The Club helps push us in the right direction at a time in our lives when we are really vulnerable. Kids can fall in with the wrong crowds easily, and the Club helps us stay on the right path.”

                              – Brendan, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton

All young people deserve a place to learn and grow this summer. Your support is critical in providing these opportunities to children and youth across Canada.