The province officially launched its After School Network to give Manitobans the opportunity to learn about the resources and services of over 40 organizations that offer after-school programming to the province’s children and young people. This announcement was made by Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief.
“The After School Network is about bringing together community-based organizations that provide positive activities for children and youth aged six to 18 and is a pillar of our preventative approach to making our communities safer,” said Chief. “The After School Network gives these organizations the opportunity to work together to strengthen after-school programs and shows our commitment as a government to investing in them and working collaboratively to help our province’s children and youth reach their fullest potential.”
The province has invested $12 million in After School Network organizations to help them deliver important after-school programming to Manitoba children and young people. The province has also invested in a co-ordinator to help establish, co-ordinate and provide ongoing support for the network.
The official launch event was designed to give Manitobans the opportunity to meet with After School Network organizations and get information about the many resources available for after-school programming.
The After School Network announcement builds on recent provincial initiatives designed to give Manitoba’s youth greater access to safe and positive after-school activities, said Chief. This includes the new After School Leaders program, which partners with community organizations and business leaders such as the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation to provide young people with hands-on training in a variety of fields including arts, communications and sports.
“Our province’s children and youth need access to these important after-school programs and we are proud to be a part of this network and share our expertise and knowledge with other organizations. We are also excited at the opportunity to learn as much as we can from other After School Network partners and make our programming even better for the kids we support,” said Dwayne Green, executive director, Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.
Forty-nine organizations registered for the launch of the After School Network as well as funders that include the Winnipeg Foundation, United Way and True North Foundation. Twenty-three organizations showcased their activities at a recent network fair.
Among the featured speakers at the network launch:
- Dr. Martin Brokenleg, co-founder of the Circle of Courage and consultant for Reclaiming Youth International. Brokenleg holds a doctorate in psychology and has provided training worldwide for individuals who work with youth at risk. Brokenleg was to provide a workshop session to attending participants.
- Chief Devon Clunis, a 25-year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Service, was to speak about the important role youth-serving organizations play in promoting youth leadership and creating safer communities.
- Grace Fanhbulleh, a teen who recently immigrated to Canada, was to speak about her personal experience in after-school programming and her commitment to give back to her community.
Statistics Canada reports that unsupervised time after school is when the largest proportion of youth violent crime takes place and when youth are more likely to experiment with tobacco, alcohol and drugs and be more sexually active.
The After School Network will hold a similar launch event in Thompson on March 19 and 20 for youth serving organizations from northern Manitoba.
