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Jericho Youth Services receives Jumpstart Sport Relief grant

January 8, 2021

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By: Michelle Poirier

Jericho Youth Services was selected as one of 668 sport and recreation programs across the country to receive a grant from the Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund to help operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jumpstart, a charity that raises money to give kids the opportunity to access sport and play, announced the Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund in September.

This is “an $8 million fund that will help sport and recreation organizations continue to deliver programming in 2020 and beyond,” the Jumpstart website says.

“We are beyond grateful to receive this news and know how positive an impact it will have on sport and recreation organizations, and ultimately, on kids across the country,” Susan Gorman, Executive Director of Jericho Youth Services, said in an email.

Jericho has received $9018.77 from Jumpstart and this money will help them reset and rebuild their programs.

Ms. Gorman said the money will be put towards educating and training leaders to modify the activities with new health and safety measures, having program leaders go through the Respect in Sport Youth Activity Leader training course, and having staff read Coaching Kids of All Abilities and Keeping Girls in Sports.

“Some aspects of adapting include equipment for each child; we have 150 children and youth each week. Soccer balls, bounce balls, basketballs, skipping ropes, mini sticks, balls and badminton are just a few of the additional equipment that we purchased which will allow each program to have enough for each child,” she said.

They have also purchased pylons to mark space for physical distancing, PPE for staff and participants and cleaning and sanitation supplies for the equipment.

Jericho is Jumpstart’s community representative and has worked with them over the past 8 years.

Ms. Gorman said while working with Jumpstart, Jericho has helped 835 children in Georgina at a cost of $198,646.00.

Jericho is closed due to the province wide COVID-19 lockdown, programming will resume once schools reopen.