Positive Recreation Opportunities for Kids (P.R.O. Kids) Community Recreation Division, City of Thunder Bay
Elements:
Shared Values,Systems,Skill
Year: 1999
111 Syndicate Avenue South Thunder Bay Ontario P7E 6S4 807-625-2419 807-625-3395 prokids@city.thunder-bay.on.ca
WINNER FOR 1999
Urban poverty is a fact of life, but that doesn't mean it has tobe a way of life that dampens the joy of childhood and dulls the spirit of the youth.
No one knew this more than the Positive Recreation Opportunities for Kids (P.R.O Kids) Progam. Beginning in 1995 they began searching for innovative ways to offer recreational and cultural activities that all kids could enjoy but not all could afford.
P.R.O Kids, an initiative of the Community Recreation Division of the City of Thunder Bay, was in the development stage from 1995-1997 during which time the steering committee and recreation staff engaged in community consultation with youth, child and family service agencies, recreation and cultural organizations and Thunder Bay youth. These groups were challenged to consider how best to provide recreation opportunities for all children and youth in the community. In 1997 the Task Force on Poverty reported that in Thunder Bay (population 120,000) approximately 15,000 people lived in poverty - 3,7000 of those are children under 15.
The innovation was the development of a "bank" of program spaces that organizations and businesses offering recreation would donate to P.R.O Kids. These spaces would then be brokered back to children who needed it most. This enabled disadvantaged children to be able to recreate and to choose the activity they wished to participate.
P.R.O Kids links organizations offering sport, recreation and cultural activities with children and teens who would be unable to participate in the activities due to a lack of funds.
Since P.R.O Kids inception in March 1998, 450 children and youth have been place into recreation programs; all of which have been donated to P.R.O. Kids by the 125 community partners who believe in the program. Activities donated include karate, soccer, theatre, dance, bowling, hockey, golf, skiing, modeling, art and swimming.
Their mission is to:
a) ensure that all children and youth have access to recreations;
b) ensure that each participant is able to choose the activity in which he/she would like to take part;
c) work together with community leaders, building on community strengths and collaborating with diverse groups to create stronger recreation supports for children.
