REAL
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Who We Are
REAL Vision
To provide opportunity for children and youth facing financial barriers to participate in recreation, music, dance, art, sports, leadership, and learning programs.
REAL Mission
To breakdown the financial barriers to recreation by providing registration fees, transportation, and equipment to children and youth.
REAL History
The REAL Program was created in 2002. It's a nonprofit program started by the City of St. John's and individuals from various sectors working with families facing financial barriers. The need to create opportunities for all children and to experience the benefits of participation and belonging was the catalyst for REAL.
The City of St. John's provides office space and staff support so that 100% of all funds raised or donated go to the cost of programs, equipment, and transportation for applicants. There have been over 30,000 program placements to date.
What We Do
Registration Fees
We pay registration fees for the chosen activity.
Transportation
We provide transportation to families that do not have access to their own means of transportation.
Equipment
We maintain an inventory of new and used equipment. Families may borrow equipment on a seasonal basis. Community centres, schools, and other groups can borrow equipment to ensure everyone can participate. We gratefully accept donations.
Administrative Support
We have experienced staff that provide administrative support and break down communication, cultural, and other barriers by providing one-on-one support to families.
Why Choose REAL?
100% of all donations help children and youth in your community and there are no administrative costs. The City of St. John's provides all staff and administrative-related expenses.
- Support Local Businesses: Our children and youth attend local sport, music, and art programs, re-investing your donation back into the community.
- Different Interests - Same Opportunity: We offer a variety of programs such as music, dance, art, sports, leadership, and skills development.
- Strictly Confidential: REAL Staff and Partner Organizations ensure that confidentiality of families supported by REAL is maintained.
- Inclusion & Equality: Since 2002, REAL has supported participants of all abilities, genders, and demographics, ranging in age from toddler to teen.
- Friendly staff are here to help: We have experienced staff who are available to support families with registering online, choosing the right programs, making sure equipment fits, and everything in between.
- We will get you there: We eliminate the barrier of transportation by providing transportation when needed.
- In your neighbourhood: We provide support to children in neighbourhoods across St. John's.
A REAL Impact: Family Story
"The REAL program is a radically inclusive initiative that fronts anti-bias as a core community value.
“REAL includes all children and youth regardless of language, economic status, culture, religion, place of origin, ability, etc. REAL provides a range of opportunities for community attachment and the development of relationships for children and parents who might otherwise be isolated due to language, customs, economic, mobility issues and a range of other marginalizing factors.
“REAL provides equitable access for children AND for their parents to athletic and social communities to which they might not otherwise have access. Community attachments that develop through community engagements promote belonging and interrupt isolation - especially in winter.
“Yes! The seasons matter in a city like St. John's. Long periods of isolation for children and parents contribute to depression and a range of mental health maladies. REAL teaches families to get out and on the go with their children – it is a vehicle for the development of health relationships amongst parents and children alike.
REAL introduces families to a range of community venues where other relationships and attachments may develop. Children who attach to community activities and develop healthy peer relationships are more likely to finish school on time, have better physical health and improved outcomes over their lifespan. For newcomer children who arrive without English or French, sport is the universal language that everyone speaks. Through sport, there are opportunities for the intricate dynamics of belonging to develop that are not present in any other area of society.” - A REAL parent
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