#RBCkids Pledge to Kids and Youth, Supporting Youth in the Community

I do not talk a lot about my teens on my blog. I try to respect their privacy as much as possible. But sometimes being a mom I want to shout from the roof tops and let the world know of their accomplishments and successes. My oldest son is a nationally recognized athlete. He is a jumper in Track and Field and maybe, one day may be jumping in world wide competitions. We even have our eye on the Youth Olympics at this time. According to his coach, this goal should become a reality.

For me this is more than a proud mama moment. You see last year we had a tough year. The teachers went on strike in the beginning of his first high school year. Midway through basketball season. For my son, this meant he had no outlet. No way of making friends or getting to know people.  School sports gave him a way to connect with others and feel he was accomplishing something. Setting goals, gaining confidence and succeeding. When he does not succeed, learning and growing. No sports meant he was in limbo, a new school and not knowing where he belonged. The strike ended just before school Track and Field started. He had been involved before , but this year was different. He had a skill and a natural talent. Every time there was a Track and Field meet people would watch him. They would talk about him. 

At times the attention he got was overwhelming. for him and for me.  When he won and jumped higher and higher, farther and farther, we knew we had to do something. He had no real training but was really good. So we asked his school coaches for help. They pointed us in the direction of a few local clubs and we reached out to them. Within a month of being part of a team, my son was number 1 in all of Ontario. He had confidence, he had friends. He had self esteem and the ability to focus.  We noticed the better he did at sports, the better he did at school. It seemed to be the full circle.

Then came heartbreak. Two months in he made Nationals and was qualified to attend the Canada championships. But because he did not win the one meet, he did not get sponsorship. We could not afford to send him in such short notice across the country. So we had to pass. This year he has made it again. This year we have enough notice to prepare in case he does not get his way paid.

But what if we can not come up with the funds?

Luckily there are many companies and programs who recognize the importance of youth in sports. They support them and support the efforts of those around them . One of these companies is RBC. They have pledged a five-year $100 million commitment to improve the well-being of one million kids and youth.

What is the RBC Kids Pledge?

The RBC Believe in Kids Pledge is intended to improve the emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of children and youth through investments in a wide range of national and community-based organizations as well as through the company’s own programming. This historic pledge consolidates RBC’s current support for children’s causes and includes funding for new programs. It will provide a reliable source of funding for organizations and programs that help kids as they grow from childhood through to their first career experience.

The three areas RBC Kids Pledge is helping are

RBC Children’s Mental Health Project

Since 2008, the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project has helped hundreds of organizations dedicated to providing early intervention, increasing public awareness and reducing the stigma of mental illness.

RBC After School Project

Since 1999, the RBC After School Project has supported community-based organizations that provide children with a safe place to develop knowledge, social skills and self-esteem.

Sports

The RBC has been a strong supporter of sports from the playground to the podium since 1947 because they know healthy, active youth contribute to great communities.

Check out Thomas’s Story 

I chose this video to share with you as it reminds me of our family and our son. Sports brings us together and allows us to all be our best. Our son loves jumping and makes friends who have the same interests as him. The time he spends doing Track and Field is fun for him. I see him growing and maturing and I believe his team has helped mold him into the great young man he is today. For a teen boy to be so focused and successful it is inspiring  Win or lose we are proud of him and so happy for the support he has and the commitment he has put in. 

 

This post content is sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada, however the views and opinions expressed herein represent my own and not those of the Royal Bank of Canada or any other party and do not constitute financial, legal or other advice.

Comments

  1. christinemcn says

    It's so great that RBC supports kids this way. Supporting youth in the community is so important. Love it when businesses realize this. Every kid deserves the right to participate in sports and extra-curricular activities. I wasn't aware about the RBC Kids Pledge.
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  2. I love that RBC helps to support kids. It's so important!! I wish more places recognized the importance of it. Kids really are our future and we should invest in it 🙂
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  3. Big thumbs up to RBC for what they are doing for kids! It's important to support our youth. Fingers crossed that everything works out for your son.

  4. Great post Kim! I've been following your son's journey and I'm so proud of him! He is doing awesome! I didn't realize how much RBC stands behinds our kids! Their programs (and that video you showed) really shows their dedication!
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  5. It is so great to hear that companies such as RBC has initiatives in place to help families, cause you are right, sports can get crazy expensive. We are in our first year of competitive dance, and it is eye opening, that is for sure!
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  6. That's awesome your son is doing so well! I would be a very proud mama too!

    I'm glad to hear that RBC has a program like this. They're my bank and they've been fantastic so I can't say I'm too surprised. They rock! Thanks for sharing and introducing me to the RBC Kids Pledge.
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  7. Congrats RBC for offering such a great program for kids.

  8. cynthial1956 says

    I have never heard of this company before. It is so nice that they are there for children though. Congratulations to your son for being so great in track. I can see you are one proud mama!

  9. This is an amazing opportunity to do something great… I don't bank at RBC, but this makes me want to! Thanks

  10. roadrunnerfloristbasketexpress says

    How wonderful that there is a program like this!!

  11. I haven't heard of RBC, but I'll support any coompany that supports kids.

  12. liisi carr says

    What a great opportunity. I really like this cause and wish you all the best!

  13. What a wonderful program. Glad to hear about them.
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  14. Wow…how exciting that y'all might make the Olympics some day!

    I'm happy that you have a company reaching out to a community that you feel passionate about. Awesome stuff!
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  15. This sounds like an excellent cause.

  16. I would be a proud mom too! I am glad your son is doing so well. This sounds like a great program.

  17. Melinda Dunne says

    This sounds like a wonderful program. I think it is really important for children to find their passion, it is too bad that so many sports are expensive. This program seems to really be beneficial in such situations.

  18. milenabarrett says

    How wonderful! I love hearing about businesses getting involved. Great cause.

  19. starslammed says

    The RBC sounds like a great program. We are actually starting a youth club in our town. it's definitely interesting. Hopefully it all works out.

  20. What a great sounding club – I used to love gong to a youth club at the local church on a Friday evening as a kid it was so nice to meet with others around the same age as me and just have a bit of fun.
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  21. jeffmarias2001 says

    I can't believe how varied their organizations they support are! that is fantastic to hear.

  22. jennifer378 says

    What a great organization, our kids need more things like this. I tried to get my son into sports, but where we live the coaches were horrible and put them down if they lost or if they won, if they won the did not win big enough. My son finally quit because he could not please them no matter what. I am glad your son is able to enjoy track and field, that is one of my favorites.
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  23. Wow, those higher competitive levels of sports are certainly expensive. I am hopeful that my children are successful. My sister in law trained extensively to the nationals as a gymnast and it can be a financial burden. Good to know RBC values the hard work of the student athletes.
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  24. mamatomanyblessings says

    that's wonderful that PBS supports this – thank you for awareness.

  25. maliapalea says

    Sounds like your son is doing great! Sports is a wonderful outlet for kids.

  26. I had no idea RBC had such a great program supporting kids. I'm specially glad that they are investing in mental health as this is something that is so important!

  27. This sounds like a great program!

  28. Aww this is so sweet! It must be difficult to keep all these awesome accomplishments in, I would want to scream them out too! 😉

  29. This sounds like a wonderful program. Thanks for sharing.

  30. Teresa Martinez says

    It's a good thing that there are ways our children can still realize their dreams when we are unable to provide for everything. Kudos to your support for your child.

  31. you have a great son and as a proud parent it's just right to brag about him ad his accomplishment.
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  32. What a great project!! What a way to help inspire kids to pursue their dreams when they otherwise might not have been able to.
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  33. I wish banks in my country would be this helpful and supporting! They never have special campaigns..

  34. WOW what a great thing you are doing…thanks for spreading the word and I love that PBS support RBC Kids…this is such a great cause…thanks for sharing

  35. Sports are a great thing for children. Sports teach some good life lessons like teamwork and responsibility.

  36. corinne1989 says

    I work in an elementary school and have 4 children of my own, so this issue is near and dear to my heart. I am so glad that there are companies, agencies and individuals who recognize how important it is to provide our youth with stability and opportunities. Thanks for sharing this info on the RBC Kids Pledge.

  37. That really would have been heartbreaking for him. What a terrific thing RBC is doing to support kids like your son in their endeavors. I'm glad sports is serving your son so well!
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  38. I love that RBC is supportive of families.My girls are high level competitive cheerleaders. Being involved in a sport has helped them develop into confident young ladies. Good luck to your son on his journey.

  39. bishop62604 says

    What a great way to support kids, glad to hear about this program.

  40. I wish there were more organizations like this. Certainly wish there was one around here. It's great for youth to be able to get together in this way.

  41. That is really cool! I love it when there are programs to help support kids with their dreams

  42. carmenscoupon says

    1st off Congrats to your son that is amazing to be such a great athlete. 2nd wow RBC is amazing for doing all they do for kids that is great

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