Provincial Government Helps Jumpstart Activities for Children

The Provincial Government is pleased to join Canadian Tire stores across the country in celebrating Jumpstart Day tomorrow, May 28.

“For seven years, Jumpstart has been helping financially disadvantaged children across Canada participate in sport and recreational activities they may otherwise not be able to afford,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. “The Provincial Government is pleased to partner with Canadian Tire by committing $350,000 to this worthwhile program and declaring tomorrow Jumpstart Day in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a community-based program from the Canadian Tire Foundation for Families. National in scope, but local in focus, the program partners with community leaders and governments to provide children and youth from low income families the opportunity to participate in sports and recreational activities. Over 4,400 youth from Newfoundland and Labrador were engaged in the program’s activities last year alone.

“Our hope is that Canadian Tire Jumpstart Day rallies together community leaders and governments to raise awareness that one in three families cannot afford to enrol their children in sport or recreation,” said Dan Thompson, President of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “We are thrilled to have the support of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as it will enable us to work together to help give all kids a sporting chance.”

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador was the first provincial government to partner with the program. It is delivered through nine local volunteer community chapters and includes community partners such as charities and social services agencies, all of which support the province’s mandate to address the overall needs of children and youth living in low income families.

“Improving the health and well-being of our children leads to more productive neighbourhoods and communities,” said Minister King. “By proclaiming Jumpstart Day throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, we are creating awareness for a program that reaches many children and their families, and shows that sports and recreation can increase a child’s chance for success.”

Since it began in 2005, Jumpstart has created a chapter network that includes partners such as Big Brother Big Sisters Canada, YM-YWCA and the Newfoundland and Labrador Parks and Recreation Association. The Provincial Government has invested $2.1 million to support Jumpstart over seven years, which includes $350,000 this year through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador.

Programs such as Jumpstart complement the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007). Since the launch of this strategy, more than $70 million has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development throughout the province. Budget 2011 also provides $11.5 million to support recreation and sport in the province.

For more information on Canadian Tire Jumpstart visit: www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart/

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Photo 1: The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, joined by Larry McCaw of Canadian Tire and representatives from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, signing a proclamation marking May 28 as Canadian Tire Jumpstart Day throughout the province.

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2011 05 27                                                                                12:25 p.m.