UPDATE as of May 22: The Move for Youth 2023 challenge is now over. Thank you for all your support! Together, we moved more than 62 million steps, doubling our initial goal.
Every step counts
By participating in Move for Youth, you’ll create opportunities for local kids—putting them on the path to success in school, and in life. Help us reach our goal of 30 million steps from May 1–21!
About
Our Goal
Our Impact
App Instructions
Challenges & Prizes
Toolkit
FAQ
Move for Youth is back and this year,
we’re kicking it up a notch.
3 fun-filled weeks
30 million
steps
$30,000
donated
by our amazing sponsors to support local kids.
Join National Bank, United Way East Ontario, and Centraide Outaouais from May 1–21, 2023, and get moving while raising awareness and support for the most vulnerable kids in our communities.
Every step you take brings us closer to our goal and supports United Way’s year-round work to ensure kids have safe spaces to play, learn, and grow. From homework clubs to mental health services, you can help children in your community get what they need to succeed.
All you have to do is sign up, get active, and track your steps with the MoveSpring app. You can even bike, dance, or play sports—however you want to move! The app will convert your activity to steps and keep tabs on your progress. There’s no cost to register! Plus, if you or your team climb to the top of the leaderboard, you can win great prizes.
Our Goal
When we reach our goal of 30 million steps, our generous sponsors will donate $30,000.
Last year, you blew us away by reaching 10 million steps in just five days. We know that together, we can rise to this year’s challenge and reach a collective 10 million steps EVERY WEEK.
We’d love to see your photos or videos on social media, please tag United Way East Ontario and Centraide Outaouais, and use #MoveForYouth #OnBougePourLesJeunes for a chance to be featured in our promotions. You can also share photos in the MoveSpring app.
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Our Impact
Why we move
Early in the pandemic, National Bank recognized that vulnerable kids were struggling. Their team approached United Way East Ontario and Centraide Outaouais about how they could partner with us to make a difference. Move for Youth was created as a way for the community to come together and show up for kids when they needed us most.
Now, in our third year, Move for Youth has the same mission to help every kid reach their full potential.
Although COVID-19 doesn’t affect our lives in the same way as it once did, local kids are still dealing with the fallout from the isolation and anxiety of the last few years. Reports show kids are experiencing greater mental health challenges than ever before.
On top of that, many kids are having a hard time keeping up in school. Youth from low-income or rural communities don’t have the same access to after-school activities or summer programs that help them stay on track beyond the classroom. As the cost of living rises, so does the pressure on caregivers to provide for their children.
Christie Lake Kids, a United Way partner, runs after-school programs in six low-income communities. All of these programs are free, so caregivers can feel confident their kids are getting the support they need, without facing financial barriers. And kids like Esther can focus on what matters: learning and having fun.
To me, Christie Lake Kids was always a home, always a safe place where I got to be a kid and be myself and not have to worry about the stresses or whatever is happening at home. I got to just be a kid.
App Instructions
Keep track of your activity with MoveSpring
New Participants
We’re hosting the Move for Youth 3-week challenge through an easy-to-use app called MoveSpring. It’ll help you track your progress, share updates, and connect with your team and other participants. All you have to do to get started is:
- Download the MoveSpring app from the Apple or Google Play store.
- Enter the organization’s code to join: uw-centraide
- Confirm “United Way East Ontario and Centraide Outaouais” as the organization.
- Fill in your details to create an account or log into your account from last year.
- Join the Move / On bouge 2023 challenge.
- Finally, if you’re participating with a team, search for your team name and add yourself to the roster.
Can’t download the app? No problem! You can create your account online here.
Past Participants
Already have the MoveSpring app? Simply join the Move / On bouge 2023 challenge.
Challenges & Prizes
Are you up to the challenge?
Get moving with family, friends, and co-workers all while supporting kids in your community. Join hundreds of participants working towards our shared goal of 30 million steps over the 3-week challenge. In addition to the great feeling of giving back and getting active, you’ll also have the chance to win prizes!*
- Early bird registration – Sign up before April 15, 2023 and receive a pair of compression socks from Gawas Inc.
- Overall group target – If we reach our goal of 30 million steps, we’ll do a random draw and three lucky participants will win a $100 gift card.
- Saturday stepper – How many steps can you do in one Saturday? The individuals with the most steps on May 6, May 13, and May 20 will receive a $100 gift card.
- Individual leaderboard – Climb to the top of the leaderboard by accumulating the most steps as an individual. The individual at the top of the leaderboard at the end of each week will receive a $100 gift card.
- Team leaderboard – Tally up the highest average steps as a team. The team with the highest average steps at the end of each week will receive a $200 gift card.
Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Move for Youth and providing prizes to participants who push themselves to get to the top of the leaderboard.
Toolkit
Get the word out
We’ve put together this toolkit to help you get the word out about Move for Youth. Invite your friends and family to join and ask them to support this cause by using our templated emails and social media posts.
Subject: Join my team for Move for Youth
Hello [INSERT NAME],
Will you join our team for Move for Youth? Get inspired and get moving for an important cause: ensuring that every kid has the chance to succeed.
Local youth need our support today! Many kids are having a hard time keeping up in school. Those from low-income or rural communities don’t have the same access to after-school activities or summer programs that help them stay on track beyond the classroom.
By participating in Move for Youth, you’re supporting United Way’s work to create opportunities for kids in need, making sure they have safe spaces to play, learn, and grow.
As a team, we’ll work together to tally up as many steps as we can between May 1–21. We’ll use the MoveSpring app to track our progress, share updates, and stay connected with other participants. Plus, the team with the highest average steps will receive a $200 gift card!
Click here to find out more about the event and how to download MoveSpring!
I hope you’ll join [TEAM NAME] today and help make a difference for local youth.
Thank you,
Subject: Help create opportunities for local youth
This year, I’m participating in the Move for Youth challenge, and I’d love your support!
Local youth need our support today! Many kids are having a hard time keeping up in school. Those from low-income or rural communities don’t have the same access to after-school activities or summer programs that help them stay on track beyond the classroom.
By participating in Move for Youth, I want to raise awareness and support United Way’s work to create opportunities for kids in need. Together, we can make sure kids have safe spaces to play, learn, and grow.
Would you consider making a donation? With your help, we can keep kids inspired and learning, no matter where they grow up.
Our team has already hiked [INSERT NUMBER] steps and counting. We’d love your support. Help us meet our goal to raise $[INSERT YOUR GOAL HERE].
If you’re able, make a difference with me and donate today: https://uwco.ca/MoveForYouth
Thank you,
Raise $100 or more and help create opportunities for local youth
Your donation will supports United Way’s work to create opportunities for kids in need, making sure they have safe spaces to play, learn, and grow.
Make a donation yourself: Make a donation of $20 to get things started. Now you only need to ask 5 more people to help you reach your goal.
Family: Brother, sister, mom, or dad. Tell them why you care about supporting youth in our communities and ask at least one of them for a $30 donation to show their support. You never know, they might donate more!
Friends: Ask your friends if they can join in. Could they give you $20 to help you reach your goal?
Co-workers: Ask one co-worker to help support your goal by donating $10.
Neighbours: Ask two of your neighbours for a $10 donation each.
Lace up your 👟 & support local youth w/ @UnitedWayEO @CentraidOuais. Join #MoveForYouth & get your steps in for a good cause! Help us reach 30 million total steps from May 1–21. Learn more: https://www.unitedwayeo.ca/events/move-for-youth/
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Ready…set…MOVE! From May 1–21, get ready for @nationalbank’s #MoveForYouth challenge in support of @UnitedWayEO @CentraidOuais!
Get your steps in and make a difference for vulnerable kids! Register for free today: https://www.unitedwayeo.ca/events/move-for-youth/
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Support me as I participate in #MoveforYouth with @banquenationale. Funds raised will go towards @UnitedWayEO and @CentraidOuais and help local youth get on the path for success in school and in life. Donate now: https://uwco.ca/MoveForYouth
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I’ve set a goal to walk [INSERT NUMBER] steps before May 21 & I’d love your support as I raise funds for @UnitedWayEO and @CentraideOuais as part of @banquenationale’s #MoveforYouth challenge. Help youth get on the path for success in school and in life. Give now: https://uwco.ca/MoveForYouth
FACEBOOK AND LINKEDIN
Join me May 1–21 for the #MoveForYouth challenge with National Bank in support of United Way East Ontario and Centraide Outaouais!
By participating in Move for Youth, you’ll help create opportunities for local youth, making sure they have safe spaces to play, learn, and grow. Getting your steps in has never been so rewarding.
It’s not too late to register! Sign up now and get active for a good cause: https://www.unitedwayeo.ca/events/move-for-youth/
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I’m participating in #MoveForYouth because I believe that every kid deserves the chance to reach their full potential. I know that a lot of kids are having a hard time keeping up in school, and not everyone has the same access to after-school activities or summer programs. United Way makes sure kids have the tools they need to succeed in school, and in life. That’s why I’m stepping up for the challenge. Your support means so much to me: https://uwco.ca/MoveForYouth
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It’s a great day to get outside and #MoveForYouth to support kids in our communities! I’m participating in this 3-week challenge to help ensure more kids have the tools they need to succeed. Our team has already hiked [INSERT NUMBER] steps and counting. We’d love your support. Will you help us raise funds for United Way East Ontario and Centraide Outaouais? Help us meet our goal to raise $[INSERT YOUR GOAL HERE]: https://uwco.ca/MoveForYouth
SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGES
Download this ZIP file full of images you can use to share on Twitter and Facebook.
FAQ
Step 1: Grab your mobile device and download the MoveSpring app from the App Store or Google Play.
Step 2: Select “Sign up” and enter the code ‘uw-centraide’ to create your account.
Step 3: Connect your fitness tracking device to the app, so it can track your steps.
Step 4: Turn notifications on, so you will receive updates.
Step 5: Join the “Move / On bouge 2023” challenge within MoveSpring.
Don’t have a smartphone? No problem! You can also register here and connect your fitness tracking device or select manual entry.
To sync your steps data into your MoveSpring account you will need to open the MoveSpring app on your phone or go to the MoveSpring website and click the green “Sync” button at the top right. MoveSpring cannot sync your steps data if you do not open the MoveSpring app or website.
MoveSpring recommends syncing several times a day to keep your data up to date in your challenges. All MoveSpring challenges have a 72-hour grace period after the challenge ends to give you extra time to sync your final steps.
If you are missing steps for multiple days in your challenge, please reach out to your challenge admin(s) for assistance. They can adjust any step totals, up to 30 days past, at their discretion.
If you do not see your activity update after several sync attempts, please reach out to MoveSpring support for assistance.
If you prefer to cycle, roll, dance, or play soccer—just an idea!—you can still convert your activity to steps to move us all towards our goal.
Here’s how:
- Convert your bike ride (or however you moved) into steps.
- Enter your distance and steps in the MoveSpring app (or website if you’re not using a smartphone) to make sure your activity is counted.
- After joining the challenge, open your dashboard and scroll to the “Challenges” section.
- Locate the challenge as shown below and tap the “Join or create a team” notification:
- Locate the team you’d like to join (you can search by team name at the top) and tap the team name to view the team and its current participants. To join this team, just tap the blue “Join Team” button on the team page:
- You’ll see a confirmation that you successfully joined your team. When viewing your challenge, you’ll now see your team listed:
- After joining the challenge, open your dashboard and scroll to the “Challenges” section.
- Locate the challenge and tap the “Join or create a team” notification. From there, tap the blue “Create” button in the upper right-hand corner, or the blue “Create a team” button if no teams have been created yet. This will take you to team creation.
- Choose a team name, upload a photo for your team and for your cover, and select the blue “Create team” button:
- All participants will now be able to see your new team in the list of all available teams. Your team assignment will also be displayed in your challenge card under the “Challenges” section in your dashboard:
To invite fellow participants to join the team you’ve created, they’ll just need to follow this guide to join the team. They should be able to search by team name.
Please note:
You cannot add participants to your team, you will have to invite them to join.
Absolutely! Part of the fun is connecting with others to get active for a good cause.
By participating in Move for Youth, you’re supporting United Way’s year-round work to create opportunities for local youth, making sure they have safe spaces to play, learn, and grow. From homework clubs to mental health services, you can help children in your community get what they need to succeed in school, and in life.
No. Raising funds is not mandatory to participate in the event.
Everyone who donates $10 or more will receive a tax receipt.
More Information
Your dedication to local youth moves us!
Know that we are so grateful to you for stepping up to this challenge. Whether you’re walking your dog around the neighbourhood or dancing to “Bust a Move” in your living room, anything that gets you moving counts towards our goal. We can’t do it without you.
UNITED WAY EAST ONTARIO
363 Coventry Road
Ottawa, ON K1K 2C5
Telephone: 613.228.6700
Fax: 613.228.6730
© 2023 United Way East Ontario. All rights reserved.
BN/Registration Number: 108160250RR0001