Press

Kids Up Front would like to thank Marc Smith at Amuse Consulting for his generous donation of $500 from Amuse Consulting’s 5th Year Celebration!

Kids Up Front press release

28 April 2010

Survey shows Kids Up Front Vancouver boosts confidence and self-esteem of at-risk children and youth

Words: 374

For many, going to see a play or attending a sports game is seen as a luxury. But a recent survey of Kids Up Front Vancouver’s partner agencies reveals that when at-risk kids and youth attend Kids Up Front arts or sports events, the positive effects go far beyond simple entertainment. These tickets change the lives, attitudes and aspirations of these kids, all for the better.

Kids Up Front takes unused arts, cultural and sports event tickets and distributes them to at-risk and underprivileged kids through 100 partner child-serving agencies across Greater Vancouver such as the Salvation Army and the YWCA.

“Our partner organizations report marked improvements in various health and psychological elements of the children under their care after attending an event with Kids Up Front tickets,” says Cindy Graves, Executive Director at Kids Up Front Vancouver.

The recent survey reveals the concrete benefits of these tickets. The partner agencies report that three quarters of the time, participating in a Kids Up Front event inspired a child to express an interest in a new sport or recreational activity. In one instance, an agency even started up their very own beginner ice hockey program after their youth attended a hockey game and got all fired up.

The feel-good news doesn’t end there. 83% of the partner agencies reported significant improvement in positive attitude after the children and their families attend a Kids Up Front event. 70% reported a significant boost in self esteem and intrapersonal skills. According to the staff surveyed, the events also improve social interactions between the kids and their peers, family, caseworkers and teachers.

As one agency employee said, “I have witnessed the joy, fun and bonding that Kids Up Front has provided our families…. [It’s] an invaluable gift to our families.”

“No we’re not curing cancer or MS but our youth are the foundation of our future communities and our society,” says Graves. “We need to nurture and cultivate our youth at risk as a way of fostering promise and good will for the future of our society and the wellbeing of our culture.”

Thanks to the survey results, looks like we now know how.