Community Playtime

Community Playtime is an inclusive recreational sports and wellness initiative that promotes physical activity, social connection, and belonging among newcomer families, youth, and women. The program is created in response to the growing need for safe, accessible, and culturally welcoming spaces where newcomers—especially young people and women—can build confidence, form friendships, and improve their overall well-being through recreation.

Many newcomer families face barriers to participating in sports and wellness programs, including cost, transportation, language, and cultural unfamiliarity. Community Playtime removes these obstacles by offering free activities that prioritize inclusion, fun, and community over competition. Our sessions are held in trusted community spaces and led by diverse facilitators and youth mentors who reflect the cultural backgrounds of participants, helping to foster comfort, trust, and representation.

The program offers weekly multi-sport and wellness sessions—including soccer, basketball, dance fitness, and mindfulness workshops—designed to build physical strength, teamwork, and resilience. Special sessions are dedicated to girls and women, providing a safe and supportive environment where they can engage in physical activity, share experiences, and develop leadership skills.

Beyond physical health, Community Playtime supports social and emotional wellness. It helps youth and women navigate the challenges of integration by creating opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, mentorship, and empowerment. Through play, participants learn teamwork, communication, and confidence—skills that extend beyond the field into school, work, and daily life.

Key outcomes include:

• Increased participation of newcomer youth and women in community activities.
• Improved physical and mental well-being through regular active engagement.
• Enhanced leadership and confidence among female participants.
• Stronger community bonds between diverse groups.
• A sustainable model for inclusive recreation and integration.

In partnership with the local church and newcomer organizations, Community Playtime aims to make wellness and belonging accessible to all. We believe that every individual regardless of gender, background, or income deserves the opportunity to play, connect, and thrive in their new community.

Community Playtime is for the people who are too often left out — low-income families, newcomer youth, girls, women, and others from marginalized backgrounds who face barriers to joining recreational and wellness programs. These community members often deal with challenges like financial hardship, language barriers, cultural adjustment, or limited access to safe spaces where they feel welcome and included.

The program creates a space where everyone can belong, move, and grow together. Low-income and newcomer families will benefit from free or low-cost recreational opportunities that remove common obstacles such as registration fees, transportation costs, and equipment needs. Every session is designed to be inclusive and fun, so that participants can enjoy the simple joy of play while connecting with others in their community.

Newcomer youth will gain a safe and positive place to build confidence, make friends, and strengthen their physical and emotional well-being. For many, it’s an opportunity to learn teamwork, communication, and leadership in a supportive environment that celebrates their cultural identity and personal strengths.

Girls and women are at the heart of this initiative. Too often, they are unable to participate in recreation due to social norms, childcare responsibilities, or a lack of women-focused programs. Community Playtime offers dedicated sessions for women and girls, led by female mentors and facilitators, where they can be active, support one another, and feel empowered. These spaces build confidence, wellness, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the gym or field.

The program also welcomes marginalized individuals of all ages who are seeking connection, inclusion, and belonging. By providing a community-driven and culturally sensitive environment, Community Playtime helps participants build trust, friendships, and a stronger sense of community pride.

Our organization believes that everyone deserves the chance to play, to feel healthy, and to be part of something bigger. It will be more than a sports program, it is a movement that strengthens community bonds, nurtures well-being, and gives marginalized people the opportunity to thrive together.