A summer of markets, meals, money skills and fun.
It was a busy and exciting summer. From community markets and cooking to swimming, movies and getting ready for high school, there was something happening all summer long.
Two free markets on July 16 and August 18, in partnership with TVDSB, with a focus on youth and children's mental health, food access and community health resources. The second had a back-to-school focus, with local businesses donating backpacks and supplies.
With TVDSB and the London District Catholic School Board, this summer program helped youth feel more confident about starting high school, build friendships and develop healthy coping and social skills.
Every Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM, girls ages 10 to 14 explored self-esteem, confidence and friendship through fun activities and conversation.
Drop-in meals where youth baked, cooked and ate together, and helped shape the menu. Sponsored by Doug Tarry Homes.
Funded by the Westminster Foundation: 43 youth joined park games and 45 took part in swimming activities.
Four workshops on money, budgeting and saving, including Budget Baking, a Shark Tank style challenge, Crockadoodle Night piggy banks and an Affordable Meal Challenge.
Ontario Trillium Foundation funding paid for new floors after more than 20 years, an additional staff member, the launch of our Youth Advisory Committee, and new appliances, basketball nets and chairs.
Thanks to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and St. Joseph's Health Care Society, new desktop computers made Homework Help even more accessible.
The team from Graham Scott Enns painted walls, weeded outdoor areas and cleaned cupboards to give the space some TLC.
We have a busy and exciting fall ahead, with Halloween-themed nights, a Christmas Youth Market, Homework Help, a new Fall Leadership Program with the Canadian Armed Forces, and Junior Achievement coming to Ignite. We've already seen a wonderful increase in youth participation, and we can't wait to see Ignite continue to grow, one youth, one program and one connection at a time.
Thank you to all of our community partners, sponsors, volunteers, youth and families who helped make this summer such a great one!
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