With its focus on personal development, mentorship and team spirit, sport offers an ideal platform for community building. This year, The Winnipeg Foundation partnered with the True Sport Foundation on a pilot project that supported summer sports programs in the Central Park neighbourhood.
The inner-city area was selected not only because of the socio-economic barriers its residents face, but for its assets: a newly refurbished park, a vibrant community of newcomers, and a strong network of charitable organizations. Foundation staff worked closely with residents and agencies to develop the granting program and select projects for support – all of which were proposed, planned and carried out by local community members.
Organized sports included basketball, soccer, and baseball, as well as Wiggle, Giggle and Munch, an early literacy and physical activity program for children. In addition to developing local leaders, encouraging volunteerism, and bringing cultural groups together, the initiative had important tangible outcomes. Wiggle, Giggle and Munch continues through the winter; the basketball league has plans to expand (some rising stars have been selected for elite teams) and hundreds of newcomer boys – prime targets for gang recruitment – have built self-esteem, personal resilience and a sense of belonging. Visit our Facebook photo album for photos from the program.
Can sport bridge language and cultural differences?
Can sport help us to build on existing community assets and strengths?
Can sport be about more than…sport?
These were just a few of the questions in the back of my mind as I arrived in Winnipeg last February to help kick off the Central Park Grants for Sports pilot project. The project is the result of a partnership between the True Sport Foundation, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and Community Foundations of Canada. Four community foundations were selected (Winnipeg, Kitchener-Waterloo, Burlington and Abbotsford) to explore how True Sport could be used to strengthen local communities. True Sport is Canada’s national movement for sport and community. Its goal is to help sport live up to its full potential as a public asset by making a significant contribution to the development of youth and quality of life in our communities.
This summer, Central Park residents came together to talk about just that. A community meeting was held at Knox United Church where over 50 community members gathered to share stories about how sport and recreation make Central Park better. The central question of the day quickly became ‘what more can we do together’? The results were truly amazing! Over the course of the day as we ate samosas and sandwiches prepared by local Central Park restaurants, everyone began to see a role for themselves in the project. The passion in the room was evident as people pitched ideas for projects, discussed where they could contribute and volunteered to sit on the neighbourhood selection panel to evaluate and support the applicants.
After this meeting, a range of community-driven sport projects were initiated, planned and implemented by community members over the summer in Central Park including soccer, tennis and baseball. Each project was unique and was matched by Central Park community resources of volunteer time, donated materials, professional services or cash. By coming together, the community was able to identify its strengths, create connections, and build on existing partnerships. Regardless of what people’s passions were when they came to that first community meeting, everyone found a way to contribute and make a difference.
In the end, it is clear to me that this project was about far more than increasing sport opportunities in Central Park. It was even about more than sport itself. It was about community engagement, meeting new neighbours, making new friends, learning new skills and above all having FUN! What a summer! The networks and connections that were made are just the beginning. I think it’s safe to say that True Sport lives in Central Park.
By Christina Parsons, Projects Manager at the True Sport Foundation
Eight teams competed earlier this month for the Central Park Soccer Fest 2011 Championship. The weather was perfect for the two-day tournament and on Sunday afternoon, the FC Porto team was crowned the tournament champions, receiving a trophy and T-shirts.
Soccer Fest teams included Winnipeg Youth Somali Association, Knox Helping Hands, International Discipleship Ministry, Jeunesse Congolese, Ethiopian Beez, Congo Canada and others.
The tournament was made possible through the True Sport Matching Grants program, a partnership with The Winnipeg Foundation. A number of the teams in the tournament received grants to purchase equipment to run soccer programs throughout the summer and worked together to participate in the 2011 Soccerfest.
The Central Park Soccer Fest included 7 of the 15 community-led projects supported through the True Sport granting program and was a wonderful example of sport bringing a community together.
It’s such an amazing experience to observe how newcomers examine and process our culture, especially youth who arrive during the snowy, winter months. Last month we bundled up a group in several layers of warm clothes and took them for their first ever skating and tobogganing adventure at The Forks. There were smiles and laughter all around despite the chilly weather, something we Winnipeggers forget to do once it dips below -20.
Watching these young people experience something I have always taken for granted reminded me about how important it is for all Winnipeggers, not only service providers, to support newcomers during their resettlement in our city. By providing opportunities and support in education, employment, heath and recreation we can help ensure newcomers have a safe, positive and successful integration in our unique Winnipeg culture!
Every year, tens of thousands of people immigrate to Canada in search of new opportunities, education, employment and experiences. Many of these individuals are refugees who are re-settling in Canada after being forced to leave their home due to conflict, war, religious, ethnic and political persecution. In my work with N.E.E.D.S. Inc I have the good fortune to work with some of these children, youth and families during their first year in Canada.
There are many challenges associated with re-settling in Winnipeg, including navigating our health, education and legal systems and youth have so many questions. During their first weeks in our country, they are introduced to many new and exciting experiences. Our INTRO and Crime Prevention programs provide a safe place for these young people to learn about our culture, practice, build their English language skills and ask questions about life in Canada.
Written by Heather Robertson, INTRO/Crime Prevention Program Coordinator at N.E.E.D.S. Inc.
Have you recently come to Canada or met a newcomer? Share your story by leaving a comment below.
Youth from Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc. share their first impressions of Manitoba.
Eritrean Youth, 15, arrived in Canada 6 weeks ago (via Sudan)
When I came out of the airport I feel so cold. It was so cold because in Sudan the weather was so hot. The school in Sudan was not bad but I hear in Canada it is better. My favourite thing in Canada is the new friends and the names of the streets. I don’t think I will be able to memorize all of the street names!
Eritrean Youth, 17, arrived in Canada 6 weeks ago (via Sudan)
First when we come it was so difficult for us. The cold was extremely too much. When we first saw the airport and then went to our house we were so excited. When we came to the NEEDS Centre we were so happy and excited. I hated just sitting at home and doing nothing.
Sudanese Youth, 16, arrived in Canada 2 months ago (via Kenya)
When I first came to Canada I was so surprised. Our plane land in Toronto and the airport was so nice and beautiful. There were a lot of different people. We never left the building so I was not aware of the cold. I just saw something white outside on the ground. When I ask people they told me it was snow.
After that we took another plane to Winnipeg. At the airport our counsellor was waiting for my family. We collect our bags, came outside of the building and get into the car. I was so surprise to feel the cold outside. When I one day touch the snow my hands were like to freeze and really cold.
I like how people in Canada talk to people. It is different because they talk so politely and are ready to help everybody. We get into our new home and I liked the new house because it’s different from the house we have back in Kenya.
When I tasted the food the next morning it wasn’t tasting good like back in Kenya. I taste pizza which I have never taste in my life, it was not tasting good. When I saw people in clothing big jackets, boots, mittens it was so different. When I came to school I was so happy because I have a lots of fun and I meet new kids and I get to know them and became so friendly to them. I like Canada, it is a country of peace.
Iraqi Youth, 16, arrived in Canada 2.5 months ago (via Syria)
I am from Iraq and I lived in Syria for two years. I have seen Toronto and I also saw how cold is the weather. I like the snow. I also like to play bowling in Canada. I saw beautiful buildings in Canada that I haven’t seen in Iraq. I also saw a computer in Canada that I haven’t seen in Iraq.
Have you recently come to Canada or met a newcomer? Share your story by leaving a comment below.
The Winnipeg Foundation
1350 - One Lombard Place
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0X3 Canada
ph: (204) 944-9474 | fx: (204) 942-2987
tf: (877) 974-3631 (outside Winnipeg)
email:
How To Find Us
