Canadian Tire Jumpstart Grants Funds to ISWO

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Grants Funds to ISWO

in News

CANADIAN TIRE JUMPSTART CHARITIES GRANTS FUNDS TO ISWO TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES THROUGH SPORT

Jumpstart provides opportunities for new programming and sport participation during challenging times.

Mississauga, Ontario – March 23, 2021 – Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) announced Tuesday that they are the proud recipient of a Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund grant. With Jumpstart’s assistance, ISWO will be able to focus on continued support for Indigenous communities through sport.

ISWO is one of nearly 700 sport and recreation organizations across Canada to receive grant funding from Jumpstart. Along with Jumpstart, ISWO understands the role sport plays in the health and well-being of kids and their families, and are doing everything possible to help community sports continue during these challenging times. “Through consultation with our community partners, participants and key stakeholders, it became clear that return to play plans faced severe challenges as a result of the pandemic. Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund prioritizes programs and activities that address financial and accessibility barriers,” said Scott Fraser, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “As a Charity that enables inclusive sport and play to help build strong and healthy communities, we are doing everything in our power to maintain opportunities for kids to get involved beyond COVID-19.”

ISWO, like other sport organizations, has had to adapt and find creative ways to continue to support wellness despite the limitations presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts include increasing capacity in communities by supporting existing programs; providing funding, materials, equipment and training for new programs; and ensuring that families and communities have the necessary items to stay healthy and safe (including food, household, personal hygiene and PPE products, such as masks and hand sanitizer). ISWO has also created a range of programs that are delivered online and through kits, mailed to families and communities, in all areas of the province.

“Sport is so important for the wellness of our youth and communities, and we have seen firsthand how sport saves lives and creates pathways for new opportunities and futures,” says Marc Laliberte, President of Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario. “With the funding we received from Jumpstart, we’ll be able to provide additional supports and programming, to help communities stay active and engaged during these difficult times. It’s been challenging, having to cancel our in-person programs and major events, but we’ve been fortunate to have some excellent partners at the table, including corporations and levels of government, working together to create new opportunities for play. Jumpstart has contributed greatly to ISWO’s Power 2 Play program, online fitness programming, and the Well Nation Virtual Games, taking place from March 15-25. We’ve been able to distribute equipment, provide motivation and encouragement, and keep youth and families active and in high spirits. Sport is good medicine, and we are so thankful for the many partners, like Jumpstart, who have stepped-up and provided support in these unprecedented times.”

Although these are incredibly challenging times, which have been particularly difficult for youth and marginalized and/or remote communities, it’s also an incredibly rewarding and inspiring time, witnessed by the collaboration, partnership and positivity, ISWO see’s each day. COVID-19 may have limited our physical interactions, but it has united communities and organizations, who have come together to lift each other up, and ensure that kids can still play, have fun and just be kids.

Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) Quick Facts:

  • ISWO is the designated Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body (P/TASB) for the province of Ontario, funded through the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and Sport Canada.
  • ISWO serves all Indigenous Peoples and communities across Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, living on and off-reserve, in rural and urban settings, encompassing more than 350,000 Indigenous Peoples in the province.
  • ISWO promotes and creates opportunities for participation in sport and cultural activities that promote wellness and positive lifestyles for Indigenous Peoples across Ontario.
  • ISWO is recognized by the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) and the North American Indigenous Games Council, and is the designated sport body for the development, selection and management of Team Ontario, which participates in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships and North American Indigenous Games.

For more information about ISWO, visit iswo.ca.

For more information about Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.

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Acknowledgement
ISWO honours the traditional lands and homelands of all Indigenous Peoples and communities across the province of Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis living both on and off reserve, in rural and urban communities.

Contact Information:
Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO)
Abidah Shirazi
ISWO, Marketing & Communications Lead
Abidah.shirazi@iswo.ca