Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre boosts youth programs with $40,000 RBC After School Grant

Olympic basketball athlete Rowan Barrett and the Olympic Torch join community celebration event this afternoon

17 November 2009 Brampton - Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre (BNRC) has $40,000 more to spend on its after-school program, thanks to an RBC After School Grant to be delivered at a community celebration at 4:00 p.m. today. Identified as one of the best after-school programs in the country, the program provides daily after school programming in the community to meet the needs and challenges of youth aged eight through 18.

"RBC's grant will be a tremendous boost for the programs that we offer to neighbourhood children," said Dr. Anthony Hutchinson, Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre Chief Executive Officer. "These funds will help us better deliver everything from recreational activities, literacy tutoring, music and art lessons, nutrition and homework help in our community."

BNRC and RBC are co-hosting a community celebration at St. John Bosco School, Brampton at 4:00 p.m. today with help from RBC Olympian Rowan Barrett, who will be on hand with the Olympic Torch to share his experiences, engage the program's participants in basketball drills and inspire them to realize their full potential.

BNRC is one of only 90 organizations from across Canada to receive an RBC After-School Grant for the 2009/2010 school year. RBC Foundation is providing $2.3 million in funding this year across 90 after-school programs.

RBC After School Grant recipient programs offer a range of structured, supervised activities for youth aged six to 18 that encourage social skills and self-esteem.  Forty per cent of the After School Programs RBC funds report increased academic performance and improved social skills.

"Giving kids a place to go to learn after school is one of the best investments RBC can make," says Harriett Thornhill, RBC Regional Vice-President, East Brampton.  "A good after-school program can bridge the gap between schoolwork and homework and give children a way to shine. We congratulate BNCR for helping kids develop their skills and feel good about what they can do to continue their learning through a wide range of activities that go beyond academics."

Each of the grant recipients will receive up to $40,000 from RBC, and were selected by a regional advisory panel of local citizens after a nationwide search yielded over 150 applications for funding. This year, there are 16 first-time grant recipients, with the remainder having received grants in previous years. To be chosen for a RBC grant, after-school programs must offer structured, supervised activities in an environment that provides what RBC has termed "three Ss": safety, social skills and self-esteem.

About RBC's After School Grants Program
The After School Grants program is one of the largest community investments RBC will make this year, and is part of RBC's ongoing commitment to children and education. RBC has been funding after-school programs since 1999 with more than $19 million given through 654 grants to 198 different organizations that have helped over 17,000 children. For more information, visit www.rbc.com/community/donations.

About Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre (BNRC)
The Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre (BNRC) is a registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing community and social services in Brampton. Established in 1988, BNRC has provided free, family-focused, community-based programs to children, youth, families, women, seniors and Newcomers to Canada.

About Rowan Barrett
Rowan Barrett played international basketball for over 17 years, and has accomplished much, including winning a gold medal at the 1994 Commonwealth championships. This star led the Canadian National Basketball team at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Rowan's favourite Olympic Games sporting moment: Beating the former World Champions, Yugoslavia during the 2000 Olympic Games. Since retirement, Rowan has been coaching high level basketball and is still actively involved in his sport.