Building Pathways Through Sport and Support 

Across the Greater Toronto Area, newcomer and refugee youth are facing complex barriers that keep them out of school and work. Play Forever, a youth-led charity, is using the power of sport and mentorship to change that. With support from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada initiative, the organization is helping young people rebuild confidence, gain employment skills, and find meaningful pathways forward. 

The Refugee Employment Program  

The Refugee Employment Program combines sports-based engagement with job-skills training, mentorship, and mental health support to help newcomer and refugee youth build confidence and employability. Through weekly workshops and coaching, participants gain practical experience, expand their networks, and access paid placements, with most expected to move into work or further education after completing the program.  

“This grant helps Play Forever bring free recreation, education, and employment programs directly into underserved communities, empowering youth to stay active, connected, and confident. It allowed us to eliminate financial and transportation barriers so everyone can thrive,” says Play Forever. 

Addressing Barriers to Employment 

In the GTA, over 157,000 youth aged 15 to 29 are newcomers – many highly educated yet twice as likely to be NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) as their Canadian-born peers. Long waitlists for language instruction, unrecognized credentials, limited networks, and racial discrimination create major barriers to opportunity. Female newcomers face the highest unemployment, nearly double that of male newcomers and 4.6 times higher than non-racialized Canadian-born men. These challenges are intensified by mental health pressures, with 74 percent of immigrant youth reporting increased anxiety and isolation and little access to culturally safe supports. 

The Refugee Employment Program responds directly to these barriers by creating an environment that begins with community, not credentials. Through coaching, mentorship, and culturally grounded care, Play Forever helps youth see their potential and take the next step toward stable employment and self-sufficiency. 

Strengthening Youth Employment with Support from the Rideau Hall Foundation 

With funding from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada initiative, Play Forever is expanding its employment program to reach more newcomer and refugee youth across the GTA. Catapult’s support enables the organization to hire additional facilitators, enhance mental health supports, and grow partnerships with organizations like COSTI, Access Alliance, and North York Community House. 

Beyond funding, Catapult connects Play Forever to a national network of youth-focused organizations working to make learning, work, and community more inclusive. Together, they are building pathways for young people who have been left out of opportunity, creating spaces where potential is recognized, nurtured, and celebrated.