By Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada

November 14, 2023

During our recent Day on the Hill in Ottawa, we met with a number of federal government officials. The purpose of these meetings was to emphasize our 2024 pre-budget submission, where we’re calling on all parties to recognize the importance of after-school time and to ensure that all youth have the supports they need to thrive in this era of increasing uncertainty.

How do BGC Clubs stand out?

One of the important distinctions about what BGC Clubs do is spend quality AND quantity time with children and youth. Parents who think that they can get away with just spending quality time with their kids quickly find out that this approach doesn’t work—kids don’t work on your schedule. They need to spend lots of time with you, and moments in those periods can become significant, but you can’t create quality through an appointment!

Kids spend hours in Clubs every day. They are not periodic or incidental—these experiences are consistent, daily engagements for significant periods—where Club programs, staff and volunteers can have a major influence on the lives of young people. Because of this, our Clubs play an outsized role in the lives of the young people who enter our doors, and that influence is critical in offering kids the tools, skills, and experiences to take advantage of the opportunities that life will offer them academically, economically, and socially.

Youth needs are changing

In recent years, youth needs have changed dramatically, and Clubs have grown with them. Instead of just a quick after-school snack, Clubs now provide nearly six million meals per year – in too many cases, the only meal of the day. On top of recreation and sports programs, we offer mental health support and increasingly direct access to therapists. And where Clubs were founded to provide a safe space for youth outside of school hours, some Clubs even provide youth housing.

Why is after-school care so hard to access?

We did a recent study with Abacus Data and found that at least one third of Canadian families don’t have access to before and after-school care. Our Clubs are often located in communities that are disproportionately impacted by poverty – and while we do offer programming for free or at greatly reduced rates, our own staff capacity challenges are meaning that we have fewer spaces to offer. Add to that the impact of inflation and cost-of-living increases, families are finding it harder to pay for groceries let alone out-of-school care.

Every parent wants the best possible opportunities for their children. And they struggle with being
present for their kids while balancing the needs of jobs, careers, and the many demands of life. The
patchwork of services that fill the out-of-school space is entirely difficult to navigate – each parent
hopes they are offering the best they can, but worries that it’s not enough, it’s not the right thing, and
that things could change at any time – prices increase, programs close, wait lists are long, or their child
doesn’t have access to a walkable after-school provider.

A more comprehensive approach to out-of-school time is vital. Our ask to government was a foot in the door, a chance to express that more families and communities need BGC Clubs’ out of school services.

As the National Youth Council of BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada), our membership consists of individuals in the 2S & LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as allies from other diverse backgrounds.

Less than two months into 2023, more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in the United States at the state level, 150 of which target transgender individuals. This is the highest number of anti-trans bills to be introduced in a single year ever.

Anti-trans sentiments are also prevalent in Canada; transgender and non-binary Canadians are concerned about transphobic ideology worsening across the country. Without strong advocacy and vigilance, this legislative attack in the United States could make its way here.

As young people affected by these harmful ideologies, we are concerned, frustrated, and exhausted. No individual should ever have to debate or justify their existence.

As members of BGC Canada’s National Youth Council, we are calling for change within our systems and our everyday lives. As an ally, you have the power and responsibility to help make that change. Below, we have provided several ways that you can contribute.

Sign petitions. Call, text, and email. Write letters to your local policymakers. Donate. Educate yourself and your family. Advocate for your trans peers even when they’re not around. Check on your affected friends, take care of your mental health, and help us defend and protect human rights.

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Ways to help

Petitions

• Protect Transgender Texans

Donations

• Canada Helps – supports LGBTQ+ Charities

Mental Health Resources

• Kids Help Phone – space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies
• Trans Lifeline – provides trans peer support
• It Gets Better Campaign – uplifts, empowers, and connects LGBTQ+ youth around the globe
• Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Trans Youthline – offers free peer support for youth aged 26 and under (1-800-268-9688)
• The Trevor Project – provides information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round

Stay Educated

• Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S State Legislatures
• Understanding the Transgender Community
• Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People
• Transgender Children & Youth: Understanding the Basics

Additional Resources

• Adults supporting 2SLGBTQI Youth
• Supporting youth well-being through anti-oppression principles
• Preparing Students for the Transition of a Trans or Gender Diverse Peer
• BGC Canada’s 2S & LGBTQIA+ Toolkit (for senior leadership and decision makers)

Beyond financial support, Canadian youth benefit from scoops, smiles and clubs across Canada

TORONTO, November 2, 2022 – Baskin-Robbins Canada presented a cheque for $25,000 to BGC Canada today in support of the organization’s life-enhancing programs for Canadian youth. The funds were raised from August to October thanks to an annual, in-store fundraiser during the back-to-school season, that Baskin-Robbins Canada has been running for the past five years. To date, the program has helped to raise more than $100,000 for BGC Canada.

“Our work with BGC Canada is one of the highlights of the year,” says Natalie Joseph, representative for Baskin-Robbins Canada. “We are truly honoured to able to join forces with BGC Canada and our guests to support Canadian youth.”

“Ice cream and kids just belong together. We are proud to be celebrating five years of collaboration with Baskin-Robbins Canada.”, said Rachael MacKenzie-Neill, Vice President, Marketing & Development at BGC Canada. “Their support for youth makes a difference in communities across the country.”

For more information on Baskin-Robbins Canada, to order online or to inquire about numerous franchising opportunities, visit baskinrobbins.ca or follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

About Baskin-Robbins Canada

Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 by two ice cream enthusiasts who shared a dream to create an innovative ice cream shop that would be a neighborhood gathering place for families. Celebrating 51 years in Canada this fall, Baskin-Robbins operates 107 locations in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. Each year, more than 300 million people around the world visit Baskin-Robbins to enjoy some of the close to 1,400 flavours available in the brand’s ice cream library, as well as its assortment of frozen treats including frozen beverages, sundaes, Polar Pizza ice cream treats and ice cream cakes. For more information on Baskin-Robbins Canada or any of its locations, visit baskinrobbins.ca.

About BGC Canada

For 120+ years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people and their families at 775 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental health, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

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Media contact and information

Tia Giannone
Torchia Communications
514-288-8290 ext. 233
tia@torchiacom.com