A renovated Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs facility in Regent Park is enjoying a 200 per cent increase in youth participation – and one insurer has pitched in to make sure those boys and girls get there safely.
The challenge of providing children in the Regent Park area with safe after-school transportation to the club and to home from the club in the evening was resolved with a brand new 24-seat bus – thanks to a $10,000 donation from
Economical Insurance to offset the operating expenses.
“We are proud to support the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs so that youth can benefit from the club’s programs knowing they can get there after school and home at night safely,” says Karen Gavan, president and CEO of Economical Insurance. “As the club continues to receive requests for service from an expanded catchment area, our donation is helping to expand the club’s community safety initiatives to meet the ever increasing needs of youth who are travelling from greater distances.”
Community involvement and support are proving to be an integral part of the corporate responsibility of insurers, as demonstrated by companies like RSA Insurance through their partnership with the World Wildlife Federation of Canada, and
Aviva Canada’s Community Fund initiative.
See related article, ‘
Your corporate social responsibility is showing.’
The schools include Our Lady of Lords CS, Rose Avenue PS, Market Lane PS, St Anne’s CS, Bruce PS, Moore St PS, Leslieville PS, St Joes CS, Central Tech HS, Riverdale HS, Danforth Tech HS, Eastern Commerce HS, Monarch Park HS, St. Patrick’s CHS, Eastdale HS and Central Commerce HS. (continued.)
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The TKGBC opened the 22,500 square-foot facility in Regent Park two years ago following extensive renovations.
“In a recent survey of teenaged girls in our programs, they highlighted a concern over safety when walking through Regent Park at night. Teenaged boys from Regent Park also echoed the same sentiments,” says Ian Edward, executive director of TKGBC. “Thanks to Economical’s support, we can operate our new bus and provide safe transportation for kids in and around the area so they can participate in after-school and evening programs in a safe and supervised space.
Those shown in the photo are the club participants who will be using the bus, and Patrick Hogan, director of sales and distribution at Economical Insurance (back left) and Ian Edward, executive director of the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs.
