YMCA of Southwestern Ontario Partners With Huron County To Deliver Huron Youth Recreation Arts and Sports Program

by Bob Montgomery

Huron County has renewed its partnership with the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario that allows the YMCA to determine eligibility and provide funding so that eligible young people in Huron County can participate in sports, art and recreation.

Huron County Manager of Ontario Works and Children's Services Cheryl Patience says the YMCA has partnered with Huron County on this program for the past six years and last year they were able to assist 145 children in Huron County. They also put money back into local businesses, like 360 Bikes ‘n Boards as well as local camps and ranches. She says parents can get as much as $800 per child, which can be very helpful for a child that wants to play hockey. Patience adds, if they want to play something like soccer, which doesn't cost as much as hockey, they can still use the balance of the $800 to pursue other activities.

The program provides recreation and leisure opportunities to children whose families meet certain financial criteria, identified by the County of Huron's Social and Property Services Department. Funding is offered on a first come, first-served basis, up to the maximum of $800 per child annually to qualified children for recreation and leisure programming. That could include, but is not limited to, sports programs, fitness programs, drama, art, music and dance through accredited providers who have vulnerable sector and insurance policies in place. The funding allotments will include equipment and transportation, as required and if they are within the maximum issuance.