2025

Sandbox Impact

Program Partners

The Sandbox Impact Program (SIP) was launched in 2019 to help organizations collaborate, share resources, and leverage partnerships to address a specific health and wellbeing challenge faced by children and youth in a Canadian community.

The 2025 collaborations are prioritizing the needs of equity-deserving children and youth with an emphasis on 4 key areas:

  1. Mental health and wellbeing

  2. The social determinants of health and vulnerable populations

  3. Improving access to services and programs for parents and children

  4. Filling data gaps

The 2025 Sandbox Impact Program will also provide partners with in-kind skills and services housed within The Sandbox Project’s network of partners. We are pleased to work with 4 lead organizations and their partners across Canada to support their innovative work in child and youth wellbeing.

 

EmpowerHER Diversity Hub (London, Ontario)

EmpowerHER Diversity Hub uplifts and empowers women and girls of diverse backgrounds through skills training, research, and advocacy.

Their SIP-partnered initiative, “DiverseStrength”, goes beyond traditional self-defense training by addressing the unique needs of newcomer immigrant and women youth. By offering a culturally inclusive environment, the program ensures that participants learn valuable self-defense skills and gain a sense of community and support. This holistic approach contributes significantly to their overall mental health and well-being, helping them to navigate life with strength and dignity.

For more information, please visit their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/empowerherdh/

 
 

Friends Career Center (Toronto, Ontario)

Friends Career Center supports vulnerable immigrant youth adjust to their new lives in Canada

Their SIP-supported initiative, “Well for Mental Health,” will help East African immigrant youth in Ontario and Quebec develop skills in mental health and trauma healing. They will use art-based workshops and resource support spaces to address transgenerational trauma and cultural adjustment, fostering peer support and advocacy.

For more information, please visit: www.friendscareercenter.com

 
 
 

YMCA Of Eastern Ontario (Kingston, Ontario)

The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is part of the YMCA national network and is dedicated to providing services and programs to youth.

Their SIP-supported initiative, “Salmon Swim School” program will provide lessons to teach indigenous children and youth how to swim and how to remain safe around water . The goal is to reduce the disproportionate high rate of drowning in the indigenous communities.

For more information, please visit: https://eo.ymca.ca/

 

 

YouthInspirED (Halifax, Nova Scotia and Toronto, Ontario)

YouthInspirED works closely with young individuals, equipping them with the skills, digital tools, and mentorship needed to create virtual tutoring programs that address the unique needs of their communities.

Their SIP support will help them expand their virtual tutoring services to other parts of Canada.

For more information, please visit: https://www.youthinspiredfoundation.com/