Media Advisory: ivari Healthy Steps Program encourages active and confident youth

MEDIA ADVISORY:

$10,650 ivari Healthy Steps Program grant encourages healthy habits through boxing and life skills program for youth

Mississauga - In January 2022, Beat the Streets (BTS) received a $10,650 grant from ivari’s Health Steps Program to empower low-income youth with physical and social-emotional skills for developing healthy habits. The funding supported the delivery of four Level Up programs for 60 students. Level Up combines combat sports and skill-building activities to encourage resilient, confident and active youth.

The ivari Health Steps Program provided BTS with funds for a coordinator and two coaches to deliver the programs at two secondary schools in Toronto and Mississauga. Students learned the basics of boxing and life skills like goal-setting and managing stress in a fun and safe space.

“Ivari is committed to supporting programs that provide children and youth with the knowledge and preparation they need to encourage active lifestyles and realize their full potential. This commitment provided BTS with the opportunity to expand our programming and encourage more youth to develop healthy habits.”

Neal Ewers, Executive Director.

“I really like the breakdown of the program, including both a life skills component and the physical fitness. The students all shared with me afterwards that they really enjoyed trying something new, and were excited for the next session.”

Alana Fangrad, Teacher, Harbord Collegiate.

Beat the Streets is a youth development charity whose mission is to advance the education of low-income children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area through fun and unique sports and employment-based development programs. BTS teaches physical, social-emotional and employability skills so youth can realize their full potential. BTS quickly pivoted to online learning during the pandemic and has served more than 4,000 low-income children and youth since May 2020. For more information, visit beatthestreets.ca.

As a life insurance company, ivari has a close understanding of what it takes for people to lead long and healthy lives. It takes practicing healthy habits like eating well, and getting enough exercise –habits that are best formed when they’re learned as children. ivari’s Healthy Steps Program supports organizations that help teach children (18 and under) skills that empower them to develop healthy habits, particularly in areas such as: active living, healthy eating and health education. For more information, visit ivari.ca.