Toronto to bring free sports and recreation to newcomer neighbourhoods

Toronto will launch Play Mobile for Newcomers, bringing free pop-up sports and recreation activities to neighbourhoods in mobile recreation vans. The City received a US$400,000 grant for a two-year term from the Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees.

The program is intended to reach newcomer children, youth and families, including LGBTQ+ newcomers, newcomer girls, refugee claimants and undocumented residents. It will connect participants with City programs, newcomer services, the Toronto Public Library and community organizations.

Expected each year:

• More than 20,000 participants overall, including about 6,000 newcomer children, youth and family members
• 50 paid leadership positions for newcomer youth as community ambassadors
• Recreation-based training and employment pathways for 250 newcomer youth