When you think back-to-school, think after-school.

Today's generation is estimated to be the first generation to be worse off than their parents, so it is incredibly important to provide our kids with the tools they need to succeed during the school year. 

In addition to school supplies, kids also need quality out-of-school programming and positive mentors to help them stay on track. We're redefining the opportunity equation for kids by calling attention to out-of-school time programs as a key component to ensuring kids are on the path to success. Every young person deserves the opportunity and the necessary supports to reach for their potential and this is what separates the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs from others. Here we work with young people aged six to twenty-four building social skills, life skills and resilience so that each young person can secure a strong future.

The Back-to-School season means we are relaunching our Great Futures Start Here campaign which calls attention to the crisis facing kids and elevates the role of out-of-school time in reversing negative trends in the areas of poor academic performance, obesity, drug use, and youth-related violence. The Great Futures Campaign is mobilizing the neighbourhoods in support of after-school and summer programs that tackle these issues to inspire and empower more youth toward success.

For almost 100 years, our Boys & Girls Clubs have enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 1,300 young people annually become members with over 550 children and youth attending daily. Our programs are offered in schools and community spaces across the downtown core. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.

To Donate to the Great Futures Start Here - Back to School Campaign CLICK HERE 

Thank You

It is the place where GREAT FUTURES are started each and every day!

How You Can Donate

Great Futures Start Here Campaign

Online:
Canada Helps

 or Contact:

Kathy Maney
Director of Finance & Administration
kmaney@believeinkids.ca
416-925-2243 ext. 23

Your support of young people growing up in downtown Toronto is critical to their success and Toronto’s vitality;

$1,000 – Supports one child’s participation in our Reading Recovery program where local teachers refer students reading below their grade level into an intensive 40 week after school program where reading is the primary focus. 86% of children were able to raise their reading levels by at least one grade level once in the program.

$750 - Feeds two children every day a nutritious meal when they arrive at the program. Surveys of our members have indicated that 20% of our members identified that their nutritious meal at the Club was their first real meal of the day.

$500 – Allows three youth to participate in a Leaders in Training program for one wee in the summer. Research demonstrates that if a young person stays connected to a community program they are much more likely to graduate high school.

$200 – allows the Club to pick up and walk or bus over 300 children a day from school to a local program and then safely home at the end of the day. Community Safety is identified as one of the priority issues in every survey the Club has conducted.