Rogers helps BGC Okanagan Youth through 2022 Community Grants program
Rogers Communications announced today it had awarded its 2022 Ted Rogers Community Grants to over 70 registered charities and non-profits, including BGC Okanagan to assist youth at the Summerland Club.
The Rogers Community Grants program supports youth aged 15-29 in the areas of education, digital literacy, health, sport, and entrepreneurship. A $10,000 Ted Rogers Community Grant was awarded to BGC Okanagan, allowing them to offer youth (ages 13-18) drop-in recreation programming at the Summerland Youth Centre two days a week.
“Thanks to Rogers, this program is offered at no cost to the participants creating a safe place without barriers for youth to engage in recreation and life-skills programs. Activities are developed to intentionally teach the importance of physical and mental health, leadership and life-skills, creative arts and expression, healthy relationships and contributing back,” said Kristy Butterworth, Director of Youth Services at BGC Okanagan. “It is critical that this program continues to be there for the young people outside school hours, giving them access to positive mentorship and opportunities. We are grateful to Rogers for their continuous support of BGC Okanagan.”
During intermittent periods, when funding was available to run the youth drop-in program, BGC Okanagan have offered 482 services to 43 youth who report that the program is incredibly valuable to them.
This year BGC Okanagan plans to focus on community partnership and volunteer opportunities, as youth leadership and volunteerism is embedded in the program.
“Our goal for the program is that by accessing, youth can connect with their peers, engage with positive adult supports, and develop life-skills and leadership skills. By participating in a local youth centre, youth can feel a sense of community amongst themselves but also a greater connection to the greater community of Summerland as well,” said Butterworth.
Since 2017, Rogers has awarded hundreds of Ted Rogers Community Grants for programs that support equity-deserving youth. This year, recipient organizations will help over 50,000 youth in 250 communities across the country.
“We are proud to partner with local organizations to help young Canadians reach their full potential,” said Tony Staffieri, President and CEO, Rogers Communications. “Our youth are the future, and we need to do everything we can to give them the best start in life.”
Rogers invests $5 million annually to create educational opportunities for Canadian youth, including through Community Grants and Ted Rogers Scholarships. It has also contributed more than $10 million over the past decade to create access to youth sports programming through Jays Care Foundation.
For a full list of recipients across Canada, please visit here.