Prince George Community Foundation partners with the Family Y though True Sport Grant

January 20, 2013

Earlier this year The Prince George Community Foundation in partnership with True Sport and the JW McConnell Foundation awarded the Family Y with a grant in the amount of $4,500. "The funding for this particular program was matched through an anonymous donor and also funds from the Ryan Shiels Memorial Fund held with the Prince George Community Foundation. Through this fund, Ryan's family has made sure that his passion for the outdoors made available to others." said Judy Neiser, Executive Director for the Prince George Community Foundation.

Delivering results for this funding, the Family Y is hosting an Open House to introduce the community to the amazing programs it offers. One in particular is the Aurora Leadership Program that emphasises outdoor activities, participation, fair play, team spirit and leadership skills to youth aged 13 – 15. It is a unique program that provides outdoor recreation experience built on the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. This may be to youth who have a skill set to build on that was obtained through summer camp earlier in their childhood or to children who have never had the opportunity to enter this type of program but have always wanted to, or it may be beneficial to. It is guided by positive role models and the best in outdoor recreation curriculum.

"We are excited to be a part of this program" said Judy Neiser, Executive Director for the Prince George Community Foundation. "This is the first year we have applied for the TrueSport grants and this is the third of the 6 programs chosen to advance to the implementation stage. In total we will see over $70,000 worth of funding at work in the community from the initial grant of $18,000 that we have received from True Sport." "Because the program operates on the premise of Asset Based Community Development, TrueSport forces us to see what we have in the way of facilities, equipment, expertise and manpower available. It stretches available dollars with in-kind support to make our granting dollars go further." "I strongly encourage anyone interested in the program to visit the YMCA website, at www.pgmyca.com or better yet, attend the open house and see what other programs they have to offer.

At the heart of True Sport is a simple idea … good sport can make a great difference.

For more information and to join True Sport visit www.truesport.ca.

True Sport Project: Building Community through Sport

The Prince George Community Foundation in partnership with the True Sport Foundation and the JW McConnell Foundation are pleased to announce the successful grant recipients for this years' program. Earlier this year we announced that the Prince George Community Foundation was one of 10 Community Foundations across Canada who were chosen to introduce the program in to our community. A series of community consultations were held with prospective organizations who wanted to make an impact on the premise that Good Sport should be a positive experience, should be welcoming and inclusive and should be values driven. True Sport is It is a social movement who's goal is to help sport live up to its full potential – making a significant contribution to the development of youth, the well-being of individuals, and the quality of life in our communities. At the heart of True Sport is a simple idea … good sport can make a great difference.

"Together we are pleased to announce that there were many, very solid, proposals that came together, partnerships were formed and great programs offering sustainability and broad reach will be available to our community because of this" said Judy Neiser, Executive Director for the Prince George Community Foundation. A total of $18,000 was granted from TrueSport. In addition, anonymous donors, existing funds such as the Road to the Roar Legacy Fund, the Scott Tournament of Hearts 2004 Fund and the Sports Legacy Fund held with the Community Foundation were able to provide the 75 cents match on these funds and the remainder of 50 cents on each dollar was provided through volunteer time, donations of lumber, supplies and equipment. "In total we will see over $70,000 worth of funding at work in the community from the initial grant of $18,000 that we have received from True Sport."

Because the program operates on the premise of Asset Based Community Development, it forces us to see what we have in the way of facilities, equipment, expertise and manpower available. "We are so fortunate in Prince George to have a broad spectrum of facilities, great resources, and wonderful volunteers." She said. "In addition we are thankful to donors who have come forward to help with the cash match portion of the program." The programs are as follows:

Run Jump Throw, to Hit Swing Score, $3,500; a partnership with the City of Prince George, District #57, and PacificSport Northern BC, which will see six of the local community associations provided with equipment to promote Tennis, Golf, and Curling by trained recreation volunteer leaders.

Sports for a Healthy Hart $2,000; a partnership with the City of Prince George and the Hart Community will see the replacement of both indoor and outdoor outdated and badly worn equipment for the volunteer run neighbourhood programs for ages 3 to 65.

The Prince George Family Y $3,000; together with the Ryan Shiels Memorial Fund will offer an expanded program promoting outdoor recreation through the City's parks that will be open to the general public at no cost. Additionally current programs for youth leadership that are enhanced by outdoor recreation will be supported through this grant.

Field of Dreams, Miracle on Ice; $4,000; to the BC New Hope Recovery society in conjunction with the Baldy Hughes Treatment Facility this grant will be utilized to repair the hockey arena and ball fields currently on the site for all the residents, work crew, and families to enjoy. It will also see spectator seating built and be a project where the labour is provided by the volunteer residents.

Rings Rocks and Rolls $4,000; to Active Support Against Poverty who will work with the PG Curling Club to introduce this sport at a young age by developing their existing junior curling program and expand it beyond their traditional attendees. This will offer the opportunity to those individuals who could not otherwise afford the registration fees. An added component of it will be the purchase of equipment for wheelchair and blind curling.

Ricochet Recreation $1000; to Project Friendship who currently reach out to disabled particpants and those who are in need of developing social skills to assist with their integration into maintstream community associations through sport or simulated sport. This program will see a TV and Xbox bundle purchased to provide animated sport in a controlled environment. This program is offered to a variety of ages and abilities year round where fair play and good sport is essential.

We hope each and every resident of Prince George will benefit from the proposals accepted.

For more information and to join True Sport visit www.truesport.ca

Community Foundations bringing True Sport to Communities

Program uses sport to build 'smart and caring' communities

(OTTAWA) Feb. 20, 2012 – Nine community foundations across Canada are gearing up to find new ways to use sport to build better communities, thanks to a national initiative supported by Community Foundations of Canada and the True Sport Foundation.

"Physical activity, engagement and participation are all cornerstones of healthy communities, and this program weaves together all three in a very effective way," Ian Bird, President and CEO of Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), said today.

The initiative – a partnership between CFC, the True Sport Foundation and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation – sees community foundations consulting and collaborating with local sport and non-sport organizations to determine ways in which sport can positively impact the community. The programs and activities that are funded come about as a result of community consultation and identification of areas of opportunity.

"CFC's patron, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, has called on Canadians to build smart and caring communities, a challenge we are putting much thought and effort into," says Bird. "The True Sport program is one example of how community foundations are doing just that. And we will be making more announcements soon about how CFC plans to become a driving force for smart and caring communities."

The CFC-True Sport initiative began as a successful pilot project 18 months ago and has been gaining momentum. Community foundations selected to participate in 2012 are: Toronto Community Foundation, Hamilton Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Mississauga, Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, Abbotsford Community Foundation, Prince George Community Foundation, and Fondation communautaire du Grand Quebec.

Viable projects are tailor-made to respond to residents' needs and desires, and during the previous pilot phase included funding for soccer tournaments in Winnipeg, a volleyball club in Waterloo Region, and a youth geocaching program in Abbotsford.

"Mississauga is a very sport-minded city, and we are thrilled to be selected as a participant in CFC's True Sport initiative," said Eileen MacKenzie, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Mississauga. "We look forward to hearing innovative ideas about potential sports offerings from members of our community during a series of meetings in the coming weeks."

CFC funds the True Sport initiative through a J.W. McConnell Family Foundation grant, and participants must secure matching funds from community agencies, businesses and other sources.

"This has been a remarkable journey," says Christina Parsons, National Projects Manager with True Sport Foundation. "Each of the previously funded projects identified a wealth of volunteers and services, and left a small but important legacy of bringing people together through sport."