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Executive Summary

The middle childhood years, ages 6 – 12, can be characterized as the forgotten years of childhood, seldom receiving the benefits of public policy, public and private sector investments, and media attention. This is in contrast to children in the early years who benefit from best start programs and early years centres, and teens for whom there have been significant research and program investments to engage and keep them from risky behaviour.

Only one in ten children in Toronto have access to full-week after-school programs, reveals new study

TORONTO, Jan. 19 /CNW/ - The vast majority of Toronto's 6 to 12 year olds do not benefit from full-time after-school programs, according to a new study by the Middle Childhood Matters Coalition of Toronto. The lack of supervised after-school activities increases the risk of delinquent behaviours, crime and academic problems among young people, according to the study.

Study of post-school care finds 6 to 12 are the 'forgotten years'
ANDREA GORDON
FAMILY ISSUES REPORTER

"Access to safe, supervised and engaging programs can get kids off the screens and couches, and into physical activity and interaction. It can also be critical in helping children develop skills, self-esteem and relationships with peers and mentors, as noted last month in two major reports – Ontario's framework for poverty reduction and the Roots of Youth Violence review."

Read the complete article in the Toronto Star.

Media Advisory - January 16, 2009

Coalition to Release Report on Lack of Services for Children, 6-12 Years Old

TORONTO – Key spokespersons for Middle Childhood Matters Coalition Toronto (MCMC) will hold a press conference on Monday to present their research findings detailing Toronto’s limited after-school programs for middle childhood years children.

The letter, which is being sent to Canada's politicians and thought leaders, calls on political leaders to see the nonprofit sector as a vital part of the economic stimulus solution for Ontario and Canada. Read more.

Raise Your Voice!

Voices from the Street, a collective of individuals who use their personal experiences with homelessness and poverty to educate the public and push for change, is looking to recruit new members.

CSPC-T January Research Forum

Please join us for our January forum with: 

• Yutaka Dirks, Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario 
• Elinor Mahoney, Parkdale Community Legal Services 
• Michael Shapcott, Wellesley Institute 

Torontoist.com, one of Toronto's premier newsblogs,  interviewed John last week about the need for investment in poverty reduction.

"With unemployment rates rising rapidly, Campey says that this is the perfect time for government to address the issue of poverty head-on. "The current economic downturn presents an opportunity for the province to take really bold leadership in terms of using the need to stimulate the economy to bring in a really comprehensive and robust poverty reduction strategy," he said."

Read the complete article here.

The Ontario government has released its poverty reduction strategy, called Breaking the Cycle. The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction response is available on their website.

Toronto Community Housing has laid out its 10-year plan to repair and sustain its housing portfolio with the release today of a comprehensive Real Estate Asset Investment Strategy.