.avif)
.png)
At SMILE Canada, care means more than therapy sessions or financial help. For many of the families we support, care looks like bringing your child to a basketball game without feeling judged. It’s being able to hear your own language, eat familiar food, and be in a space where people just get you.
These small but powerful moments are at the heart of everything we do, they are a core part of how we make families feel included, connected, and supported. Through events like Move4SMILE, RECFEST, and cultural community gatherings to offer more than recreation. These events are designed to build trust and create connections. They are a critical part of how we support families and uphold disability justice through joy, culture, and belonging.
Why Events Matter: The Emotional and Cultural Gaps They Fill
Many families supported by SMILE face isolation. Public services can be hard to navigate. Everyday spaces like parks, camps, and gyms are not designed with children with disabilities or newcomer families in mind. SMILE’s events respond to that by creating spaces where families feel understood and welcomed.
For many, language and culture shape how safe a space feels. A large number of SMILE families speak Arabic, Farsi, Somali, or Urdu. Most identify as South Asian, African, or Arab. That makes it essential for our events to reflect their lived realities, from the food to the music, to the language spoken by volunteers, every detail matters at SMILE. These are spaces where families do not need to translate or explain themselves, they can simply show up and feel like they belong.
What It Looks Like In Practice
Move4SMILE is an annual summer fundraising campaign that encourages everyone to get active through activities like walking, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and more. It gives youth with disabilities and their families a chance to participate and engage in active programming without pressure. Program staff and volunteers reflect the communities we serve. The focus is on building confidence, routine, and connection through physical activity.
Events like the Somali Youth Picnic, Eid celebrations, and RECFEST bring families together in culturally families spaces. Parents do not have to worry about explaining their child’s needs. The food, the music, and the people reflect their lives. These events are designed to reduce isolation and create a sense of belonging. They are also practical. Every tournament registration helps fund therapy, adaptive equipment, and hospital support for children with long-term health conditions. Events are a way to support families financially, recreationally, and socially, at the same time.
What It Says About Our Model
SMILE’s approach is rooted in equity and cultural responsiveness. We do not treat inclusion like a checklist. Instead, we design programs based on the actual needs of the families we serve. That means paying attention to language, culture, disability, and lived experience. Our events are one way we put this into practice. They are a key part of how we reduce barriers, build trust, and create access. Families are more likely to return when they feel understood and respected. That is what makes these events so effective. They are created with and for the communities they serve. They offer practical support in a setting where families can just be themselves.
Join The Movement
SMILE's events are part of how we reduce barriers and build community. They reflect the cultures, languages, and realities of the families we serve. Whether it is through sports, shared meals, or simply having a space to connect, these moments matter. We invite you to be part of this work. This summer, join us at one of our upcoming events to see how Move4SMILE builds community through joy, access, and care. Every tournament, walk, or paddle raises awareness and funds to support children with disabilities and their families.
So, come out, get involved, and be the reason someone smiles;
Your participation helps make care more accessible. Register now at smilecan.org/events.