In the Community

Challenger Baseball

Last spring we welcomed the return of Challenger Baseball, one of our most beloved summer activities, for a nine-week minicamp at Lancaster Park in St. Catharines. Children and youth were so excited to participate that we had an overwhelming response of 75 children enrolled.

This partnership with the Jays Care Foundation is a grassroots, non-competitive program inviting athletes of all abilities to a safe and inclusive environment. Participants engaged in fully adaptable drills and skills sessions alongside dozens of community volunteers, culminating in a friendly game.

In line with our commitment to the F-Words for Child Development — fun, friends, family, and fitness —Challenger Baseball provides every child with the opportunity to participate in organized sports. The program teaches athletes the core life skills inherent to baseball, including teamwork, communication, determination, resiliency, inclusion, support and courage.

 

Volt Hockey 

VOLT Hockey is an inclusive form of hockey, designed for individuals of varied abilities. This unique sport is played in specially designed chairs, providing an accessible platform for children who may not have had the chance to engage in team sports before.

As the sport continues to grow in popularity, our VOLT hockey program has evolved into two formats where children and youth had the opportunity to not only try the sport, but also join a formal team. During our “try it” events, participants could test out the chairs that are controlled by a joystick as they learned the fundamentals of navigating, passing and shooting. Our newly formed VOLT hockey team, named the Stingrays, held weekly practices at the Niagara Centre YMCA over the winter months under the guidance of their volunteer coach, Jim. The team had the opportunity to participate in tournaments, including one held on Saturday, May 25 at Variety Village in Toronto. Niagara Children’s Centre’s team was represented by four athletes (Noah, Mason, Matthew & Will) who won gold at the tournament and showcased incredible skill development. 

 

Launching a satellite site in Fort Erie

Niagara Children's Centre has continued to serve all 12 municipalities in the region from its St. Catharines facility for almost 60 years. Despite its central location, the distance and reliance on public transit pose challenges for many families, particularly those with children needing additional support.

In alignment with our strategic focus on improving access and creating a regional network of care, we sought out community-friendly locations that could better serve our families. Last year, we opened two new locations inside the YMCA’s of Grimsby and Welland. This year, we proudly opened a new satellite location inside the EJ Freeland Community Centre in Fort Erie.

This development, in collaboration with BGC Niagara, is part of our ongoing effort to expand our regional network and make our services more accessible. The renovated location offers a welcoming, well-known, and family-friendly environment, ensuring that more children can receive the vital support they need closer to home.