Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Awards S.M.I.L.E Program with $500,000 Grant

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Awards S.M.I.L.E Program with $500,000 Grant
Submitted

In celebration of National AccessAbility Week, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is proud to announce the S.M.I.L.E (Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience) Program as a 2019 Jumpstart Accessibility Grant recipient. A national charity, Jumpstart helps kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation in an effort to provide inclusive play for kids of all abilities.

S.M.I.L.E is an innovative, volunteer-driven adapted physical activity program delivered to children, youth, and adults with developmental, cognitive, physical, and/or sensory disabilities. The goal of S.M.I.L.E is to improve participants’ total development and promote lifelong physical activity participation through physical literacy.

“Being able to enhance accessibility to the S.M.I.L.E. program at Acadia University will make a meaningful and lasting impact on our participants, student volunteers, and the surrounding community,” said Dr. Roxanne Seaman, Director, S.M.I.L.E. Program. “The Accessibility Grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is an investment in inclusion. We are incredibly grateful for that support.”

The program will receive $500,000 over two years to enhance their program quality and capacity through the expansion of their Snoezelen Room: a multi-sensory environment that helps reduce agitation and anxiety and engage users by stimulating reactions and communication. The funds will also support the installation of an accessible washroom, elevator, and wheelchair ramps.

The proposed infrastructure innovation enhancements will serve kids of all abilities, especially those with cognitive and developmental disabilities. A program that is free for all users, it attracts participants from across the province of Nova Scotia.

“We are pleased to award the S.M.I.L.E program with a Jumpstart Accessibility Grant,” said Scott Fraser, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “Like Jumpstart, S.M.I.L.E is committed to removing the financial and accessibility barriers to physical activity, and we are proud that together, we can help more kids in Nova Scotia experience the benefits of this unique program.”