Youth centre receives $22,000 boost from RBC for after-school program
Posted Jul 1, 2010 By Ashley Kulp
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Ashley Kulp, Kemptville EMC
The Kemptville Youth Centre celebrated with area youth, board members and RBC representatives on June 23 after receiving a $22,000 grant through the RBC After-School Grants Program, shown above.
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EMC News - The Kemptville Youth Centre (KYC) is celebrating the continuation of its popular after-school program after receiving a $22,000 grant from RBC.
Ashley Kulp, Kemptville EMC
During the special event, the youth centre also gained another $2,010 boost through the RBC Blue Water Project. Right, from left: Kemptville RBC branch manager Stacey Seymour, KYC program coordinator Amanda Lawrence, youth board president John Hicks, and executive director Stacey Tenbult.
The grant, made possible through the RBC After-School Grants Program, was presented on June 23 during a special reception at the centre on Prescott St. The presentation marks the fourth year in a row the KYC has received a grant. Since 2006, RBC has invested $124,500 into furthering the after-school program at the centre.
"I'm thrilled by the opportunity to support the after-school program," announced Mike Haley, RBC regional vice president for eastern Ontario.
"...It's really a privilege to be here. I love your spot. I know you're moving and getting a new one, but this one looks lived in and looks like you guys are really enjoying the spot."
The RBC after-school program, which runs from Monday to Friday at the youth centre from 2:30 to 6 p.m., provides youth with an opportunity to learn to cook, receive help with their homework and unwind with a good-natured game of Guitar Hero or Rock Band.
"Our after-school grants are helping people get together after school and you guys are doing some absolutely awesome things," Haley commented. "Having invested over $124,000 since 2006, we're really proud to be associated with it (program) and it's great to see the youth have a place to go."
"Without the community support we gain and support from RBC, we wouldn't be able to give these programs to the kids of the community...so, thank you so much," noted KYC president Lisa Davis.
Haley indicated that RBC had given more than $20 million to these types of after school programs, which according to an RBC media advisory "offer structured and supervised activities for children between the ages of six and 17. RBC's grants are used to provide a wide-range of activities including computer instruction, sports, literacy tutoring, music and art lessons, nutrition guidance and homework help."
"...We're really happy to be associated with you and to see what you've turned this program into," he told the crowd gathered, which included fellow RBC representatives and youth centre members.
Additional grant received through RBC Blue Water Project
The KYC had two reasons to celebrate on June 23 when they also received a donation of $2,010 from RBC as part of its Blue Water Project. According to KYC executive director Stacey Tenbult, the centre had completed a program through the SEEDS Canadian Water Conservation Challenge with the youth surrounding water preservation.
"It was all about how to conserve water in our homes, in our yards and outside and each day we would go through a checklist," added program coordinator Amanda Lawrence.
Tenbult said the KYC participated in RBC's Blue Water Day in conjunction with SEEDS last month, where there were many different sessions for members to participate in and at the end, all groups had their names drawn from a hat to receive Blue Water Project Grants.
"We were one of the lucky winners of the group that had completed projects," she remarked, adding that the funds will go directly into the centre's summer programs. "We're trying to preserve water as well as keep what we've learned alive."
"There are a lot of environmentally conscious youth here," Tenbult added.
The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year global program which will invest $50 million to help protect the world's water and generate water stewardship.
"RBC started the Blue Water Project because there's not enough fresh water out there, so we've invested $50 million for clean water here and outside of the country, where they really need it," explained Haley.
According to RBC's website, more than $20 million has been pledged to more than 200 organizations worldwide to ensure access to clean drinking water.
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