Connecting Youth Through Sports and Fellowship in Hamilton

Courtney McLeod felt there were children and youth who could avail to accessing sports and recreation and that was all the encouragement the Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator for The Salvation Army Hamilton Mountain Citadel needed to get the full court press going.

Thanks to successfully securing $19,000 in Innovation Grant funding from The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda Territory, it’s game on for children and youth in the community.

The Salvation Army Mountain Citadel is located close to several housing complexes that are full of children and youth seeking outdoor recreation opportunities, and the Community Outreach Youth Program provides the perfect opportunity for engagement and building community. The initiative kicked off in January and participants can drop into the program every Monday from 4-6 p.m.

“The Salvation Army Hamilton Mountain Citadel truly believes in this program and the lasting impacts it will bring to children and youth in the community,” said Courtney. “Not only will sports and recreation be an entry point and part of this initiative but also arts and crafts and video games.”

“The last two years have been difficult for everyone, in particular children and youth because they haven’t had many opportunities to interact with their peers due to COVID-19 restrictions. As things open up, having a safe space and a youth outreach program will provide an environment of teamwork and fellowship.”

In this area of Hamilton, there are a lot of youth from 12-22, making a recreation-focused initiative a perfect fit for the neighbourhood. Young people in the area were already using the Church’s parking lot for recreation activities, so it made sense to provide organized opportunities to residents indoors during the winter.

“Another great component of the Community Outreach Youth Program is building impactful relations with our community members. The Salvation Army is an innovative partner, and this is one step forward in living out our mission with the goal of positive outcomes for community.”

Hamilton Mountain Citadel can be contacted for more information online at mountaincitadel.com or by calling 905-389-3618.