P.R.O. Kids of New Brunswick recipient of $20,000 Better Things Community Grant
You might remember your childhood being filled with sports, recreation, art and cultural activities. Many would say that these experiences helped shape who they are today. But what happens when financial limitations prevent a child’s ability to participate in these activities? Activities that can promote self-esteem, healthy growth, increased knowledge and personal development.
A helping hand
Positive Recreation Opportunities for Kids (P.R.O. Kids) is a charitable program, operated by the City of Saint John, that helps children/youth in financial need. P.R.O. Kids matches them with registered recreation programs and helps families with registration costs, equipment and transportation.
A proactive and confidential service, P.R.O. Kids has partnered with over 150 local sports and recreation providers who donate space in their programs. With these partnerships, P.R.O. Kids has helped over 10,000 children/youth in the past 14 years.
Agents connected to their community
In 2018, Desjardins Agents submitted over 130 organizations and projects from their local communities to be considered for a Better Things Community Grant. Desjardins Insurance has over 470 Agents in Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick who are directly connected to their local communities. One great organization submitted was P.R.O. Kids, highlighting the amazing work they do for children/youth in Saint John, Quispamsis, Grand Bay-Westfield and Rothesay, New Brunswick.
P.R.O. Kids was one of three organizations chosen by Desjardins Insurance to receive a large grant in the amount of $20,000 to support their cause of helping children/youth in New Brunswick participate in sports, art and culture; regardless of financial barriers.
"Being involved in communities is part of who we are at Desjardins, and no one understands the needs of our customers better than our local Agents who work and live where their clients do."
Barbara Bellissimo, Senior Vice President, Desjardins Agent Network.
"Working at an inner-city school in Saint John I have seen the challenges that youth are faced with every day. We are extremely happy that Desjardins recognizes PRO Kids as a catalyst of change for youth in our community. It provides children an enriching experience while helping to tackle barriers and allows them to break the cycle of poverty."
Jen Brown - Vice Chair P.R.O. Kids Advisory Committee
More on P.R.O. Kids
To learn more about P.R.O. Kids and the work they do, visit www.prokidssj.ca.
Desjardins Insurance Agents | Better Things Community Grant: P.R.O. Kids
Jennifer Brown - PRO Kids/Saint John:
I grew up here in Crescent Valley, 27 Patterson Street.
I did not know that I was poor or in poverty as a child.
Crescent Valley is a neighbourhood with subsidized housing. There are lots of families, lots of kids here, and there are a lot of imigrants here as well.
This is the kind of neighbourhood that PRO Kids serves.
PRO Kids will provide the funding for the son or daughters of the family to participate in hockey, baseball, football, cheerleading, whatever their recreational opportunity of choice is.
Tanya Langille - Single Mom:
My name is Tanya. I'm a single mom. I live on the lower west side with my four kids Zac, Becca, Bailey and Marissa.
They had a cheerleading program which my oldest daughter Rebecca was very interested in.
She was very excited, really wanted to try it, but I knew financially, I couldn't do it.
Barbara Bellisimo - Senior Vice President, Desjardins Agent Network:
And it really is important, as a mom, with a family, that you give your kids with the opportunity that they deserve.
Be it whether it be after school sports, whatever it might be. But everybody wants their kids to succeed, and have this opportunity.
Kevin Watson - Coach at the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club:
PRO Kids is a fabulous organization. They provide the means for youth to get engaged in sport, art, culture.
Those that cannot maybe afford to pay for the activity, PRO Kids comes on side to provide that support.
Without PRO Kids, a lot of these kids in our part of the neighbourhood wouldn't get a chance to do boxing, or do some of the other sports.
Barbara Bellisimo:
In the communities that we serve, as an organization, as individuals, as agents, it's important that we're connected with them.
Brad Adams - Manager, PRO Kids:
We're very honoured here at PRO Kids to have a community partner such as Desjardins, willing to contribute to give opportunities to these kids, and to really make their lives fully enriched.
So thank you all.
Barbara Bellisimo:
It makes me feel proud that we can make a difference in the communities, in Canada. It allows us to give hope. Hope to families.
Jennifer Brown:
I think that PRO Kids has given these kids a chance.