Underprivileged youth living in Vanier, a suburb of Ottawa, will soon have free access to sports activities.
The University of Ottawa’s Research Centre for Sport in Canadian Society (RCSCS) is leading the pilot project of “Kids in Shape.” The initiative is designed to provide increased access to sports and physical activities for francophone kids in underprivileged neighbourhoods. It’s based on “Québec en forme,” a similar program developed by the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon and the Quebec government and active in five regions of Quebec.
“This is a very important community-led project for the health and well-being of children. It will give them healthy habits that will influence their choices throughout their lives,” says Milena Parent, uOttawa professor and principal researcher for the project. Professor Jean Harvey, director of the Research Centre for Sport in Canadian Society, is also involved.
Thanks to funding from Sears Canada, the RCSCS will be able to test the concept of “Kids in Shape” and expand it to cover Ottawa and perhaps beyond to help many other underprivileged children.
