Recreation funding helps inspire, educate and connect in the far north

More that 600 youth from 28 different Saskatchewan Indigenous communities learned to swim from Canadian Red Cross instructors last year, in large part due to the generosity of various granting organizations.

The Red Cross Indigenous Swimming and Water Safety Program is just one example of the many initiatives and special projects made possible through financial grants from a wide range of donors.

Each year, November 15^th is National Philanthropy Day in Canada. Those who give, regardless of amount, play a critical role in enabling the Canadian Red Cross to provide a range of support from helping those affected by disaster or in planning in case of an emergency, to babysitting lessons or helping youth build healthy relationships.

There are several different types of giving – corporate giving, grants, third-party fundraisers, and large and small gifts from individuals – that all contribute to the ability of the Red Cross to support those in need.

The Red Cross in Saskatchewan typically receives between 20 and 30 grants a year for various programs, including the Indigenous Swimming and Water Safety Program (ISWSP) which is funded by two grants and an anonymous donation from one individual.

“Grants are a pretty unique form of funding because the funder typically has a specific goal that they want to accomplish or an audience they want to reach,” explains Yvette Crane, manager of Foundations, Grants and Health Programming for the Red Cross in Saskatchewan. “It is an important part of our funding.”

Sask Lotteries was the original funder of the ISWSP and has continued as the swim program’s primary funding provider for the last five years. Lottery proceeds go into a trust fund and are then distributed to more than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups across the province.

“For young people, recreation programs and services create a sense of being engaged and connected in their community, and that is so important to us,” says Kacie Loshka, Grants and Funding consultant with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA), which administers Sask Lotteries funding to 33 provincial recreation associations.

“This program not only teaches water safety; it creates a positive learning environment for these young swimmers and empowers them to engage in healthy activity in their communities.”

Thanks in large part to the support from Sask Lotteries and the SPRA, the Red Cross has been able to go into several far northern Indigenous communities, where open water is abundant and opportunities for swimming lessons are few, to teach water safety skills to youth.

“We imagine a province where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy recreation and feel more connected to nature, our communities, and ourselves,” says Loshka. “It’s our job to connect, educate and inspire others to build this future together.”
 
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