Ontario's After-School Program
Ontario's After-School Program
Ontario's After School Program provides funding to help sport and recreation organizations deliver quality programs for children and youth in priority neighbourhoods across the province.
The programs generally run between 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and aim to help children and youth get active, develop healthy eating habits, gain confidence and do better in school, which help to decrease childhood obesity and youth violence.
Each year, the program provides thousands of children and youth, who may not otherwise have an opportunity, a chance to participate in fun, safe, supervised activities.
Find an After-School Program
Goals and Activities
Funding supports after school programs that offer activities in three core areas:
1. Physical activity
Get students moving through participation in structured activities like basketball, hip hop dancing or soccer, or simply through unstructured play time.
2. Healthy eating
Teach participants about nutrition and cooking healthy foods, with a focus on fruits and vegetables. Students prepare their own healthy after-school snacks such as fruit smoothies or quesadillas.
3. Health and wellness
Build self-esteem, resiliency, confidence and self-reliance among participants and raise awareness about anti-bullying and enhance positive relationships.
Programs may also focus additional program time on activities that are specific to participants’ needs. This programming may include cultural activities such as traditional French recipes, Aboriginal drumming and dancing, homework help, arts and crafts, and music.
Funding Eligibility
Pre-evaluated sport and recreation organizations were invited to apply for funding. There is not an open-call for applications. Please read our FAQs for more information
Background
Ontario’s After School Program was developed in 2009 as part of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy and was expanded in 2012 as part of Ontario’s Youth Action Plan.
Each year since 2009, the program has benefited approximately 18,000 children and youth in Grades 1 to 12 at more than 300 program sites. Expansion of the program under Ontario’s Youth Action Plan will include 64 more program sites and engage an additional 2,100 children and youth.
