After-school Programs

A safe space for kids to discover and build on their strengths.

Moorelands Kids offers three after-school programs for children and youth in the NIAs (Neighbourhood Improvement Areas) of Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, Humber Summit and Humbermede.

BLAST (Budding Leaders After School Teams)LED (Youth Lead Excel Demonstrate) and VITAL (Volunteers in Training as Leaders) offer youth in elementary, middle and high school the chance to build life and leadership skills in a safe, structured environment. Our programs are rooted in positive youth development to help kids build confidence and increase their sense of self-worth, develop character, and establish positive relationships with peers and adults.

More Confident

91% of participants said they felt more confident after participating in a Moorelands Kids program in 2022.

More Responsible

95% of participants said they were more responsible after participating in a Moorelands Kids program in 2022.

Made Positive Connections

95% of participants reported making positive connections with peers in their program in 2022.

Better Problem Solving

93% of participants said they improved their problem solving skills in a Moorelands Kids program in 2022.


Our after-school programs

Moorelands Kids

BLAST

BLAST offers fun and educational programming for kids ages 6-12 that emphasizes cooperation, self-control, teamwork and leadership!

Available to kids at Thorncliffe Park PS, Gateway PS and Grenoble PS. All spots are subsidized.

after-school program LED

LED

LED is a middle school leadership program offered to youth in grades 6 to 8. The program helps youth develop leadership and life skills through fun, hands-on experience.

Available to students at Valley Park Middle School, Gulf Stream Public School and Humber Summit Middle School.

after-school program VITAL

VITAL

Moorelands Kids’ online/in-person hybrid VITAL program for high school students is an advanced personal leadership development program. We provide Toronto youth with vital social connections, leadership and employment skills, and the opportunity to put those skills into action.

 

Now looking back at Moorelands’ programs and working in the field that I do, I have an even greater appreciation for Moorelands Kids for two reasons: First, Moorelands is not a “babysitting” program. It is made up of intentional programming and compassionate staff… The second reason is that Moorelands Kids invests in the most vulnerable, communities in Toronto… We are in need of the kind of programs that Moorelands Kids provides.

Mahreen, LED alum & Moorelands Kids’ Ambassador.
Budding Leaders make frames

Benefits of After-school Programs

After-school programs bring a wide range of benefits to kids, families and communities. After-school programs are shown to boost academic performance, promote physical health, reduce risky behaviours, and provide a safe, structured environment for kids.

  • Access to safe, reliable and quality childcare is fundamental for enhancing children’s development in Canada. [1]
  • Some children may not be able to access physical activities and sports when they are coming from low-income families, yet this demographic of children would benefit most from these activities. [2]
  • Findings suggest that mental health concerns may be amplified by stressors related to school (19%), financial issues (13%), and social isolation (11%). [3] After-school programs help to reduce the risks associated with mental health by introducing protective factors that increase social connections and help strengthen academic skills.
  • A growing body of evidence shows that structured out-of-school programs, like those offered at Moorelands Kids, improve academic achievement and school engagement; increase self-esteem and lower rates of depression; better peer relations; reduce problem behaviours like delinquency and substance abuse; improve leadership; and increase civic engagement.
  • Out-of-school programs help children develop social and practical skills, build positive relationships with peers and adults in a safe environment, and build competence.
  • Programs that teach children social and emotional skills have positive effects on grades, school attendance, test scores and social behaviour.
  • Community programs provide an opportunity for children to build positive relationships with adults as role models and mentors. Having at least one supportive, nurturing and attentive relationship in a young person’s life can significantly reduce their likelihood of engaging in high-risk behaviours, increase their likelihood of success in education and promote their health and wellbeing.

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