PROGRAM

Ignite The Spark

We cover enrolment costs for sports, arts and recreation fees so kids and youth can learn and have fun pursuing their passions

What is the Ignite The Spark program?

Children and youth involved with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS) need physical activity, creative inspiration and structured learning and play to reach their full potential—yet they often can’t access or afford it. The Ignite The Spark program, allows families to pay for recreation and art activities, sports and athletics programming, and cultural opportunities that can boost a young person’s skills, social needs and confidence.

How it helps:

Funding that helps kids flourish

About one in four Toronto children live in poverty. Besides impacting factors like their diet and living conditions—it also affects their ability to take piano lessons, try ballet, join art classes or sign up for the local hockey team. Most children who participate in organized sports live in a household with an average income of $80,000 or more.

The Ignite the Spark program levels the playing field, by lifting the financial, cultural and systemic barriers that prevent children and youth from accessing enriching extracurriculars. The program pays for sports, arts, cultural or recreational activities—and associated supplies and equipment—so that kids involved with CCAS can build skills, strength, self esteem and lifelong passions. The fund covers the cost of activities over multiple years. This program is funded by donors to the Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation and supplemented by a grant from the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.

Your impact:

Fueling fulfillment, passion and skill

Thanks to generous donors, dozens of young people annually in Toronto receive financial assistance so they can take painting classes, learn to sing, join the local soccer league or try other sports, culture and arts classes. As one mom said, “The Ignite the Spark fund helped to alleviate an added expense that I wouldn’t have been able to make on my own. It has been difficult trying to make ends meet, as I’m still in the midst of fighting for child support payments. I can’t thank you enough.”