This headline, taken from a recent United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) publication highlights the way school closures, control measures, inaccessibility of traditional avenues of support, loss of recreational opportunities and reduction of family income all affect the physical and mental health of children – both their learning and education experience and their childhood development.
Moorelands Kids agrees, “Toronto’s ‘inequality disparity’[i] was driven even wider by COVID-19 and highlights the high price paid by too many Toronto children.”
YOU are taking an active role in lessening the negative impact of COVID-19 on kids
YOU have expressed your deep concern to us about the negative impact of COVID-19 on children. YOU, and many of your fellow donors, have rallied to support our efforts to keep kids resilient, connected and strong; then YOU took action. By supporting us in our urgent relief efforts and by your outstanding support of approximately 206 hours of virtual camp and virtual BLAST for kids, we are all taking an active role in helping kids cope. THANK YOU for your action and the gifts you made to improve the lives and experiences of Toronto’s most vulnerable kids.
Moorelands Kids is committed to supporting and remaining connected with our kids. In a very real and tangible way, the current crisis puts a lens on the barriers that social disadvantage and inequality causes vulnerable kids. While some have headed back to school, the need for support for children is now more important than ever.
COVID-19 Impact on Kids Exacerbates Inequalities
We might think that Canada has a great track record for supporting kids, but experts tell us our country entered the COVID-19 pandemic without resilient conditions for all children. According to the stats from UNICEF Canada:
- 1 in 5 children and youth live in poverty
- 1 in 10 Canadians lack internet connectivity to sustain social connections and schooling – fewer children have access in homes where connection has to be shared with other members
- 1 in 4 go to bed or went to school hungry because there isn’t enough food at home
- 1 in 4 experience abuse at home
- 1 in 4 have symptoms of depression
- 1 in 3 lack basic proficiency in reading and math at age 15
Our team continues to devote our time and all our resources to empowering children and youth to gain the skills and opportunities that enable them to overcome the barriers that impede their success.
Our Online Programs Will Continue to Support Kids this fall
After-school programs might be closed due to COVID-19 but a child’s learning and development must continue. Because of you, and with your help, it will. Our Moorelands Kids’ Online Programming helps keep kids learning and growing during these challenging times!
- We’ll be releasing fun new programming three times a week filled with amazing learning activities and tasks.
- Our youth will continue to gain important developmental tools while having fun; and older teens will learn new ways to apply the Moorelands Habits & Qualities while acquiring important volunteer hours and job preparedness skills.
- Our online programs continue to build on the feedback and learnings gleaned from 123 city kids who participated in the spring and the campers who filled 417 Moorelands Camp Lead On spots this summer.
- To address social anxiety at home, we’ll be holding secure, online twice-weekly meet-ups for participants, where children and youth can connect with their friends and trusted staff.
Stay safe and know you have played an integral role in keeping kids resilient this summer! We depend on you and look forward to seeing you online!
If you haven’t already, DONATE to support VIRTUAL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS!
[i] Vital Signs Report, TCF 2020
KEEP KIDS LEARNING AND GROWING THIS FALL!
Please donate and help us continue to develop kids’ resiliency throughout some of Toronto’s most vulnerable neighbourhoods.






