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With generous funding from the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation grant, our Talk2Thrive Board Game outreach activities also include creating curated board game collections in collaboration with a variety of community organizations, many of whom work with under-resourced families and children (e.g., Food Bank, Women's Shelter, Refuges Services). We are learning a great deal as we work with these community organizations about what kinds of collections of board games work well and provide a lot of joy and fun for children and their families. This work complements our work with board games in schools and libraries.Ìý

Here we share what we have learned at each organization and provide information about the games that ultimately ended up in each collection and the criteria that were revealed to be important in curation. As with all our collections that we develop, opportunities for staff, children and families to try out the games and provide feedback helped ensure their success.

You can click on the organization name below to see full details. We will be adding to the list as we complete collections and their details.Ìý

Adventure 4 Change: A4C seeks to empower children, families, youth, and mothers by providing a safe, supportive space for skill-building and connection. Their mission is to prevent poverty and negative life trajectories by fostering self-discovery and community engagement We designed a board game collection for use during a weekly After-School Kids’ Club program for children 6 to 10 years of age.

Cambridge Food Bank:ÌýThe Cambridge Food Bank in Cambridge, Ontario is dedicated to supporting individuals and families through food, education, and advocacy. It offers a range of programs grounded in three central pillars: healthy people, connected community, and environmental sustainability. We designed a board game collection with a key focus on theirÌýKinship Group – a monthly intergenerational program that brings together children (usually around 6 - 14 years) with seniors (often the grandparents of children) in the community. The collection is also used in other programming as well (e.g., cooking classes).

Grand River Hospital's Child and Adolescent Inpatient Mental Health Unit (CAIP): CAIPÌýprovides care for children and adolescents under the age of 18. This secure 13-bed short-stay unit offers a safe and structured environment for those experiencing significant difficulties with daily functioning and who require intensive hospital care, including a high-observation area for individuals needing the highest level of support. We designed a board game collection for use during more informal recreational times aimed at children and youth 6 to18 years of age.Ìý

Paulander Community Centre - Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health:ÌýPaulander Community Centre is part of Camino Wellbeing and Mental Health, a non-profit organization that provides initiatives to individuals, families and communities to improve mental health and well-being. We designed a board game collection to be used within a weekly drop-in program aimed older children and youth (8 to 12+ years of age).

Project READ Literacy Network:ÌýThrough collaboration with community partners and literacy service providers, Project READ connects learners of all ages with opportunities to grow their reading, writing, speaking, and numerical literacy in inclusive and accessible ways. We designed a board game collection to be used in their summertimeÌýoutdoor Literacy Bike ProgramÌýwith families and children 3 to 10+ years of age. This mobile literacy outreach Literacy Bike program is designed to bring various activities and educational resources directly to families outside in local parks during the summer months.

Reception House À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region:ÌýReception House is a non-profit organization that provides settlement, integration, and support servicesÌýfor government- assisted refugees resettled in À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region.Ìýwe designed two board game collections to be used within two weekly programs aimed at two different age groups: young children (3 to 8 years of age) and youth (9 to 14+ years).

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