What's New

• Youth Making Change

  With the right support, children and youth are able to speak up, motivate their peers, and lead change in their communities. Meet some of the inspiring youth who are at the forefront of that change, thanks to their incredible leadership.

• Right To Play Raises Over $3M to Help Children Rise Above Adversity at the 2022 Heroes Gala!

  On Wednesday, June 22 Right To Play gathered with supporters for its 7th annual Heroes Gala - a fundraising event hosting Toronto's business and sports communities for a night of philanthropy and fun. Thanks to our incredible supporters, this year’s Heroes Gala raised more than $3 million in critical funds to help children triumph over adversity, using the power of play!

• How Youth Are Using Music to Promote Social Change in Lebanon

  Every week, these refugee children know they’ll have a safe space where they are able to gather, talk about the challenges they face, find support from their peers, and express their emotions through music – at a Music for Social Change session, organized by Right To Play and led by the children themselves.

• Celebrating National Indigenous History Month

  June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. This is a time for people in Canada to come together and celebrate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples in Canada; a time to reflect on, listen and learn from the diverse experiences and knowledge of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island.

• Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Rights for Young Adults

  In Partnership with FAWE and WaterAid, and technical support from FHI 360, we are launching the SHARE project to support sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescent youth in Ghana, Mozambique, and Uganda.

• Children's Emergency Fund

  War, displacement, and disaster turn innocent children into victims, robbing them of their basic rights, dignity, and stability. Using proven play-based approaches, we give children the psychosocial support they need to overcome trauma and learn safely. You can help them.

• Right To Play Welcomes Leadership From the Government of Canada and Partners to Expand Education Access for Refugee and Displaced Children

  Right To Play International, alongside its partners within the Canadian International Education Policy Working Group (CIEPWG), welcomes the release of the high-level outcomes document launched at today’s Together For Learning Summit: Engaging Displaced Youth to Transform Education.

• Right To Play to increase access to quality education for close to 40,000 internally displaced children in Mali

  At a time when the worldwide number of refugees and internally displaced persons is at an 80-year high, Right To Play is renewing its longstanding commitment to refugee education with the launch of a new program that will increase access to quality, play-based education to close to 40,000 internally displaced children in Mali.

• Building a Foundation for Literacy

  School closures in Mozambique threatened to set back children's educational progress. While schools were closed, literacy clubs helped them practice reading safely and regularly. Now that schools have reopened, the clubs help children build on lessons and strengthen their academic skills as they catch up for lost time.

• Thank You to All Who Participated in This Year's #Rally4GirlsEd

  On February 4, 2022, Right To Play Canada hosted its 2nd annual Rally For Girls’ Education virtual pep-rally to kick off International Development Week and a week-long challenge. Thanks to all who turned out!

• A Child’s Voice Can Save a Life: WASH Clubs in Uganda

  In Uganda, we're using games to teach children learn how to properly wash their hands and prevent the spread of infection, forming local clubs that engage the country's most vulnerable children.

• Small Hands, Big Dreams

  In July 2021, more than 500 children from vulnerable communities in the Palestinian Territories attended a Right To Play-lead summer camp with activities designed to help them cope with and heal from trauma. The summer camp is part of the TOGETHER program, which was made possible with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada and implemented in partnership with UNRWA.

• Every Seat Counts

  The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating to the world’s most marginalized and vulnerable children. Along with the threat from the virus itself, there are disruptions like school closures, loss of familial income, political instability, and social isolation that are impacting children's mental health and ability to rise.

• 2nd Annual Virtual Quiz: A Night of Stories, Friendly Competition and Fundraising Success!

  On November 17, 2021 Right To Play Canada hosted its second annual Virtual Play Quiz: Trivia for Charity, to resounding success!

• Empowering Girls Through Sport and Play in Senegal

  Superstar footballer Sadio Mané provides an assist as Global Ambassador to Right To Play, working to increase gender equity in Senegal by using the power of sport and play to help girls achieve their dreams.

• CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

  Depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders are some of the most common mental health challenges children and youth face. They are major contributors to lost school days, dropping out, poverty and other negative life outcomes. In their most severe forms, they can lead to suicide, the third leading cause of death for adolescents worldwide.

• Right To Play Canada Announces New Canadian Advisory Board Leadership Positions

  Right To Play Canada is pleased to welcome a new Chair and two new Vice-Chairs, Indigenous Programs

• Keeping children learning and mentally strong

  Important new funding from the LEGO Foundation will support Right To Play’s COVID-19 response and recovery, to help ensure children continue to have access to high quality education that is safe, active, and engaging.

• MASTERMIND TOYS PARTNERS WITH RIGHT TO PLAY IN SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS YOUTH

  “Play is Kids’ Work.” This is the guiding philosophy of Mastermind Toys, Canada’s largest specialty toy and children’s book retailer. At Right To Play, that’s a philosophy we firmly believe in too. And it’s why we were, and continue to be, so proud to partner with Mastermind Toys this past Spring.

• 2020 Annual Report

  2020 was a year of significant milestones and challenges, from celebrating 20 years of protecting, educating, and empowering children to rise above adversity through the power of play, to adapting to the harsh realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is our year in review.

• Playing For The World

  Celebrating the power of sport to unify, amplify and elicit positive change at these 2020 Tokyo Olympics. After a complicated year, the Olympic Games are finally here. And Right To Play Canada is proud to celebrate and support our amazing athlete Ambassadors competing in Tokyo. It’s been an extraordinary year, and we recognize the extraordinary efforts of our athletes to get here.

• Canada’s commitment to education welcome – but investment fails to reflect growing global need

  Right To Play, alongside members of the Canadian International Education Policy Working Group (CIEPWG), welcomes Prime Minister Trudeau’s commitment to tackling the global learning crisis and addressing the stalled progress for education exacerbated by COVID-19.

• In the news: the importance of including residential schools in Canadian education

  On June 9, 2021, Rachel Mishenene, Right To Play's Executive Director, Indigenous Programs, sat down with CBC News to discuss the importance of including the history of residential schools in Canadian education.

• From Struggle and Survival to Success for Refugee Children

  For 33 million children around the world fleeing war, natural disasters, famines, or epidemics, everyday acts of childhood like packing a backpack or running outside are instead acts of survival and struggle. But you can change their story.

• Honouring the Children of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School

  We are devastated at the recent news of the discovery of 215 First Nations children's bodies that were found buried at a former Kamloops Indian Residential School last week. As an ally organization, Right To Play stands in solidarity with the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and all other Indigenous communities in Canada.

• Palestinian Territories Emergency Appeal

  Children have been killed and schools damaged during the recent conflict in the Palestinian Territories. Donate today to help extremely vulnerable children recover from trauma and get back to school.

• P.O.W.E.R.: Games for Child Development and Learning

  The Play Opportunities for Wellness and Education Resource (P.O.W.E.R.) is a collection of 100 gender-responsive play-based learning activities created to support parents, teachers, and others to promote children's learning and development.

• Right To Play welcomes G7 commitment on girls’ education, and calls for funding to back ambition

  Right To Play, alongside its partners across the Canadian International Education Policy Working Group (CIEPWG), welcomes the newly announced G7 Declaration on Girls’ Education: Recovering from COVID-19 and Unlocking Agenda 2030.

• Education is for everyone: Creating inclusive classrooms in Burundi

  Girls in returnee communities in Burundi, especially girls with disabilities, struggle to go to and stay in school. Few schools have appropriate washroom facilities, and few teachers are trained in how to ensure the classroom environment is welcoming to girls. Here's how we're helping.

• Budget 2021: New resources welcome, but more needed to support the world’s most vulnerable children

  The new funding for international assistance and Canada’s global COVID-19 response is welcome, but more is needed to support the world’s most vulnerable children through the pandemic and other crises.

• A Win-Win-Win For The Edmonton Oilers And Right To Play's Indigenous Programs

  In 2021, with the unprecedented world of COVID-19 and professional hockey games without fans, The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation offered a creative way to give back to Right To Play. They engaged fans to help raise funds with their 50/50 raffle during the annual ‘Hockey Is For Everyone’ specialty night.

• Celebrating the Power of Sport

  Sport is more than a crowded arena, an ace, a goal, or a buzzer-beater. It’s helping to overcome trauma and heal from the realities of war. It’s giving a strong voice to those that were rarely heard before. It’s promoting health and preventing disease, teaching fair play, teamwork and peace.

• Advocating for girls’ right to education in Rwanda

  In Rwanda, it is common for the burden of household chores and other familial responsibilities to fall to the girls, leaving them with less time for school and play. We're working with the communities to change attitudes and make sure girls have every opportunity the boys do.

• Empowering Indigenous youth with LEGO Bricks

  In coordination with Right To Play’s PLAY program, the LEGO Group has donated upcycled LEGO brick donation kits to Indigenous communities across Canada through their Replay program.

• Choose to challenge the rewind for girls

  Choose to challenge the rewind. 11.2 million girls could be out of school forever because of COVID-19, their educations cut short by child marriage, early pregnancy, and other social pressures. We can’t let girls’ hopes and dreams be permanently extinguished.

• Protecting, Educating, and Empowering Children during COVID-19: Q & A with Susan McIsaac, Right To Play’s new CEO

  A question and answer session with Susan McIsaac, Right To Play’s new CEO, about how we're supporting children to rise above the challenges impacting them.

• Right To Play Kicks Off Project Supporting Burundian Refugee Girls’ Right to Education

  Right To Play is announcing the launch of the My Education, My Future (MEMF), a new program that will improve access to education for girls and children with disabilities who have become refugees due to ethnic violence in Burundi.

• Keeping Girls in School

  Right To Play and Penny Appeal Canada are coming together to empower 16,000 at-risk girls in Pakistan to keep learning and complete their education.

• Creating lifelong learners using play

  By 2023, we will help over 3 million students in Ghana to stay in school and succeed by helping 75,000 teachers to incorporate learning through play into their lessons, all with the support of the LEGO Foundation.

• Right To Play International welcomes Susan McIsaac as new CEO

  Right To Play International is delighted to welcome Susan McIsaac as its new CEO. The accomplished nonprofit leader steps into the CEO position at the 20-year-old INGO as it strives to keep children safe and healthy, learning, and mentally strong in the face of COVID-19.

• A PARTNERSHIP TO PREVENT DIABETES: SUN LIFE & RIGHT TO PLAY

  Since 2015, Sun Life has partnered with Right To Play to support our Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program.

• TransUnion Becomes Presenting Sponsor of Play It Forward

  TransUnion is the Presenting Sponsor of Right To Play's "Play It Forward" challenge, a 14-day virtual challenge to help keeps kids, adults, families and corporate teams connected and active during the COVID-19 lockdown.

• Staying Strong Despite Crisis in Mali

  In Mali, COVID-19 has kept children out of school, and put them in even greater danger of permanently dropping out to become child labourers. Our work seeks to prevent that.

• Sadio Mané Joins Right To Play as Global Ambassador

  Star footballer, Sadio Mané will use his voice and profile to empower children through sport and education.

• #PROFICares Cause Marketing Supports COVID Relief Fund for Right To Play Indigenous Youth Programming

  Profi Pro Inc. joined the Play it Forward Virtual Challenge in summer 2020 and led a campaign to demonstrate how product sales can have an impact well beyond the consumer's home.

• HELP CHILDREN STAND UP TO CRISIS

  From COVID-19 and school closures to economic crises and global conflicts, it has been a difficult time for children everywhere. But these kids refuse to let disasters, wars, inequality, and the pandemic determine and limit their futures.

• Right To Play and the Liverpool FC Foundation Are Working Side by Side to Transform Children's Lives

  Right To Play and the Liverpool Football Club Foundation are taking their partnership to a new level, working Side by Side to use the power of sport and play to empower vulnerable children in Bangkok, Liverpool, and beyond.

• Putting children first during COVID-19

  Amid COVID-19, Right To Play has been taking action to keep children healthy and safe, learning, and mentally strong. We are using the power of play to protect, educate, and empower children to rise above adversity, and help their communities build back stronger.

• The Beirut Crisis: Helping Children Cope

  In the wake of the Beirut explosion, we are providing immediate and holistic support for children so that they can recover from the disaster’s social and emotional effects.

• Harnessing Technology to Empower Children

  Microsoft has not only helped Right To Play streamline organizational operations, but since 2015 they have been a key supporter of our PLAY program, Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth.

• Keeping Kids Learning During School Closures

  Keeping children learning amid COVID-19 school closures has been an enormous challenge all around the world. We're reaching millions with daily TV broadcasts in Mozambique that provide play-based lessons while children are home.

• Rising Up to Save Lives and Empower Children with Disabilities

  A child in Ethiopia dies from waterborne diseases almost every hour. Teaching children about water safety is critical to save lives and reduce the number of children who become seriously ill from preventable waterborne diseases.

• Rising Up Against the Mistreatment of Girls

  Girls in Mali and Tanzania are fighting back against a surge in abuse in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Broadcasting Hope

  How Girls Are Fighting For Their Rights in Rural Tanzania Using the Radio

• Keeping Kids Physically Active in Jordan

  At the start of quarantine, Right To Play collaborated with the Jordanian Ministry of Education to create a series of exercise videos for children to help keep them active and boost their emotional resilience during challenging times.

• Right To Play Program Results and Outlook (2017-2019)

  Over the last 3 years we have continued to expand our programs to reach more children in 15 countries, creating new opportunities through play for those in vulnerable situations to experience quality education and acquire the life skills they need to succeed.

• Celebrating 20 years of impact

  Right To Play is celebrating its 20th anniversary of using the power of play to protect, educate and empower children around the world.

• “I felt there was a new world opening for me”: In conversation with Aissa Traore and the Brookings Institution’s Rebecca Winthrop

  We spoke to Aissa and Rebecca Winthrop, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution and Right To Play Board Member, about the barriers girls face in accessing a quality education and how to dismantle them, the effects of the COVID crisis, and the transformative effect of education on a girl’s life and future.

• Despite Stay At Home Measures, Creativity and Community Are Thriving In The Play Program

  The creative and innovative ways that Community Mentors have responded to new challenges has ensured that vital local programming continues to build community resilience and capacity in response to the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19.

• Right To Play's COVID-19 Response

  The COVID-19 virus is having a significant impact on communities around the world, including those that Right To Play serves. The children we work with are some of the most vulnerable and are particularly susceptible to the effects of a crisis like this one.

• In times like these, our partners make us stronger

  The Suncor Energy Foundation has been a valued partner of Right To Play’s PLAY program since 2014.

• Pascal Siakam Gives A Shout Out To MVP Kids

  Toronto Raptor and Right To Play Ambassador congratulates kids #playingathome world-wide to combat COVID-19.

• Play at Home: Games to keep your kids healthy, active, and engaged

  Games to keep you and your kids healthy, active, and engaged.

• An Important Message About COVID-19 from Right To Play

  What we're doing to protect children and staff from COVID-19.

• Right To Play’s work on gender equality recognized with funding from Slaight Family Foundation’s new Global Initiative for Women and Girls

  Through our GREAT program, we’ve been working with local partners in Mozambique’s two most impoverished areas in the country to advance girls’ fundamental rights to a quality education.

• Right To Play's Re-brand Wins Strategy Award

  Right To Play's partner agency, BBDO's, top planner Tom Kenny and designer Mike Nugent share the blueprint behind Right to Play's strategic transformation.

• Government of Canada announces new collaboration with Right To Play in Senegal

  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new collaboration between the Government of Canada and Right To Play that will create a landmark new program in Senegal.

• Right To Play joins organizations across the country to #GoForTheGoals during International Development Week

  This week is the 30th anniversary of International Development Week, an annual event that engages Canadians on global issues and what it means to be a global citizen.

• Superstar Pascal Siakam is Right To Play’s Athlete Hero for 2019

  Toronto Raptors power forward Pascal Siakam isn’t just a world champion, he’s a global humanitarian and Right To Play’s 2019 Athlete Hero.

• Announcing the 2019 Ted Rogers Scholarship Recipients

  Our Youth To Youth program & the Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund teamed up and awarded up to $10.000 to 5 Youth Leaders.

• STWM 2019: Run so children can play

  The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon takes place on October 20, 2019. Register now for a discount!

• Right To Play at Women Deliver 2019

  Girls and women are gathering in Vancouver to advance their rights, and Right To Play is proud to join them. You’re invited to come too!

• Toronto’s Next Generation: Right To Play’s Youth To Youth Leadership Symposium

  More than 300 of Toronto's most inspiring youth celebrated their achievements in Right To Play's Youth To Youth Program on April 26th.

• Today We Play: MyBlueprint

  MyBlueprint is an innovator in educational software, with over 300 school boards across Canada using their products. So when it came time to figure out how they could give back to the community, they wanted something as innovative as they are. That’s why they chose the Today We Play Challenge, a fun 30 day fitness and fundraising challenge in support of Right To Play.

• PLAY Program Expands to Labrador

  We are proud to announce a new partnership with the communities of Sheshatshiu and Mushuau Innu First Nations in Labrador. This program will be the first time Right To Play will be collaborating with Indigenous communities east of Ontario, as well as the first extension of the PLAY program to Innu First Nations communities.

• Time To PLAY in Squamish First Nation

  Meet Cassidy. She’s our newest Community Mentor in Right To Play’s Promoting Life-Skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program with Squamish First Nation in West Vancouver, British Columbia.
  
  Squamish First Nation is one of Right To Play’s newest partners in the PLAY program, joining more than 85 other Indigenous communities and urban indigenous organizations bringing PLAY to children each week.

• It's Time to Play Your Part

  Play Your Part 2019 is here! Are you an educator or a student? Want to get involved? Register today so your school can participate in an incredible, free initiative that teaches gender equality, global citizenship and student leadership using the universal language of play!

• Their Lives Are Worth More Than Just Guns And Grenades

  This November 20th, World Children’s Day, we are launching a special video to draw attention to the scourge of child soldier recruitment and to call for a world in which every child is able to rise above the devastating effects of war. And we need your help to make it a reality.

• Help Them Rise

  It's a rallying cry, a call to action, an anthem for every child around the world who is rising above adversity. It's the debut of our brand new "Anthem" video.

• GREAT News!

  We're proud to announce an amazing new partnership with Global Affairs Canada to transform primary education for children!

• Honouring Indigenous Veterans Day

  This November 8th is National Indigenous Veterans Day, a day of remembrance and commemoration of the contributions of Indigenous veterans in the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Korean War. This Indigenous Veterans Day, we would like to express our gratitude for the contributions Indigenous veterans have made to Canada and the world.

• This Sunday: The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

  This Sunday Evan will attempt to set the world record, all while fundraising for Right To Play.

• A Brand New Look!

  Right To Play has gotten a make over; our new brand is all about sharing the stories of the amazing children we work with and the incredible challenges that they are rising above.

• Helping Children Rise: Right To Play’s The Heroes Gala

  The Heroes Gala was an incredible success, breaking records and raising an amazing $2,825,000 to support children rising above adversity!

• Canada Leads the Way on Gender Equality

  Minister Bibeau and 22 organization leaders were hosted in our offices today for a roundtable on how to work together to achieve change for women and girls.

• Canada provides support to Palestinian refugees

  Minister Bibeau announced Canada’s support of up to $50 million over two years for Palestinian refugees through the UNRWA and up to $12.5 million for Right to Play International.

• Meet Our 2018 Youth Heroes

  Right To Play is proud to announce the recipients of the 2018 Youth Hero Awards, who will be receiving their awards this evening at The Heroes Gala.

• Media Advisory: Right To Play's The Heroes Gala

  Fundraising gala to honour decorated Olympian, Caroline Ouellette; National Bank President & CEO Louis Vachon; and youth leaders.

• Congratulations to the 2018 Play Your Part Challenge Winners

  Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Play Your Part Challenge. This year’s winners are Irma Coulson Public School and Iroquois Junior Public School!

• Right To Be Heard

  Marie and Aminata are members of a Right To Play Child Rights Club in Bamako. They have something powerful to say and want their message spread as widely as possible.