MLSE Foundation, Sun Life, Toronto Raptors Build Healthier Communities Through Basketball
For families, taking the first step toward better health can sometimes be as simple as knowing what resources are available to them. Through Courtside Care, MLSE Foundation, Sun Life and the Toronto Raptors are bringing health and wellness resources directly into communities, creating welcoming spaces where youth and families can connect and focus on their mental and physical wellbeing.
Designed to make health care resources more accessible, Courtside Care brings community health organizations, clinics and service providers together to offer free health screenings, education, prevention resources and information about available programs and supports. At the same time, youth take part in basketball clinics led by Toronto Raptors Sport Development coaches, creating an experience that supports wellbeing both on and off the court.
“At Sun Life part of our purpose is about helping people live healthier lives and community events like this one today is one of the ways in which we do that," said Matt Godin, Sun Life's Assistant Vice President of Global Partnerships. "Courtside Care is an amazing opportunity to use basketball to build a culture of wellness in our communities.”
"Courtside Care is an amazing opportunity to use basketball to build a culture of wellness in our communities.”
This season, Courtside Care reached communities in Weston and Kenora, Ontario, connecting approximately 215 community members with 28 health care resources. Participating organizations and service providers offered information, education, screenings and resources across areas including dental care, diabetes, mental health and other health and wellness needs. In total, Courtside Care has now activated in six different communities since its inauguration.
The program is designed to meet people where they are. Rather than asking families to navigate unfamiliar systems on their own, Courtside Care creates a space where community health organizations can introduce their services directly to residents, answer questions and help connect people with available programs and referral pathways. Depending on the organization, resources can be interactive or informational, with a focus on making health information approachable and accessible.
"I’ve been coaching for 25 years and you know we don’t always get exposed to what is out here," said Mike Miller, Coach at Motion Ball Sports. "So doing something like this exposes not only the child or the player, but it exposes things to the parents, and the parents will be able to see ‘hey this is available to us.’"
At the same time, youth take to the court for a basketball clinic led by Toronto Raptors Sport Development coaches. The combination creates an experience that supports both physical activity and overall wellbeing — with youth staying active on the court while families can explore health resources and connect with local service providers off the court.
In Kenora, the program was delivered alongside Kenora Chiefs Advisory, bringing local health and wellness organizations together with a free Raptors basketball clinic for youth.
“Having a wonderful activation day like this allows for our communities across Treaty 3 and the Kenora region to have a chance to have exposure, try different sports, get active, meet community members and just have some fun and grow and foster relationships," said Katie Root, Director at Youth and Family Wellness Camp. "It’s so important for them socially and physically for them to get active as well."
%20(1600%20x%20900%20px).png)
The approach reflects a simple idea: health and wellness are about more than a single appointment or screening. By creating opportunities for families to build awareness, ask questions and connect with trusted community organizations in an environment that feels welcoming, Courtside Care helps make those first steps toward better health more accessible.
Across Weston and Kenora, Courtside Care demonstrated the impact that can happen when sport, health care and community organizations come together around a shared goal.
MORE STORIES
.png)
.png)
For families, taking the first step toward better health can sometimes be as simple as knowing what resources are available to them. Through Courtside Care, MLSE Foundation, Sun Life and the Toronto Raptors are bringing health and wellness resources directly into communities, creating welcoming spaces where youth and families can connect and focus on their mental and physical wellbeing.
Designed to make health care resources more accessible, Courtside Care brings community health organizations, clinics and service providers together to offer free health screenings, education, prevention resources and information about available programs and supports. At the same time, youth take part in basketball clinics led by Toronto Raptors Sport Development coaches, creating an experience that supports wellbeing both on and off the court.
“At Sun Life part of our purpose is about helping people live healthier lives and community events like this one today is one of the ways in which we do that," said Matt Godin, Sun Life's Assistant Vice President of Global Partnerships. "Courtside Care is an amazing opportunity to use basketball to build a culture of wellness in our communities.”
"Courtside Care is an amazing opportunity to use basketball to build a culture of wellness in our communities.”
This season, Courtside Care reached communities in Weston and Kenora, Ontario, connecting approximately 215 community members with 28 health care resources. Participating organizations and service providers offered information, education, screenings and resources across areas including dental care, diabetes, mental health and other health and wellness needs. In total, Courtside Care has now activated in six different communities since its inauguration.
The program is designed to meet people where they are. Rather than asking families to navigate unfamiliar systems on their own, Courtside Care creates a space where community health organizations can introduce their services directly to residents, answer questions and help connect people with available programs and referral pathways. Depending on the organization, resources can be interactive or informational, with a focus on making health information approachable and accessible.
"I’ve been coaching for 25 years and you know we don’t always get exposed to what is out here," said Mike Miller, Coach at Motion Ball Sports. "So doing something like this exposes not only the child or the player, but it exposes things to the parents, and the parents will be able to see ‘hey this is available to us.’"
At the same time, youth take to the court for a basketball clinic led by Toronto Raptors Sport Development coaches. The combination creates an experience that supports both physical activity and overall wellbeing — with youth staying active on the court while families can explore health resources and connect with local service providers off the court.
In Kenora, the program was delivered alongside Kenora Chiefs Advisory, bringing local health and wellness organizations together with a free Raptors basketball clinic for youth.
“Having a wonderful activation day like this allows for our communities across Treaty 3 and the Kenora region to have a chance to have exposure, try different sports, get active, meet community members and just have some fun and grow and foster relationships," said Katie Root, Director at Youth and Family Wellness Camp. "It’s so important for them socially and physically for them to get active as well."
The approach reflects a simple idea: health and wellness are about more than a single appointment or screening. By creating opportunities for families to build awareness, ask questions and connect with trusted community organizations in an environment that feels welcoming, Courtside Care helps make those first steps toward better health more accessible.
Across Weston and Kenora, Courtside Care demonstrated the impact that can happen when sport, health care and community organizations come together around a shared goal.
MORE STORIES
For families, taking the first step toward better health can sometimes be as simple as knowing what resources are available to them. Through Courtside Care, MLSE Foundation, Sun Life and the Toronto Raptors are bringing health and wellness resources directly into communities, creating welcoming spaces where youth and families can connect and focus on their mental and physical wellbeing.
Designed to make health care resources more accessible, Courtside Care brings community health organizations, clinics and service providers together to offer free health screenings, education, prevention resources and information about available programs and supports. At the same time, youth take part in basketball clinics led by Toronto Raptors Sport Development coaches, creating an experience that supports wellbeing both on and off the court.
“At Sun Life part of our purpose is about helping people live healthier lives and community events like this one today is one of the ways in which we do that," said Matt Godin, Sun Life's Assistant Vice President of Global Partnerships. "Courtside Care is an amazing opportunity to use basketball to build a culture of wellness in our communities.”
Matt Godin, AVP of Global Partnerships, Sun Life
This season, Courtside Care reached communities in Weston and Kenora, Ontario, connecting approximately 215 community members with 28 health care resources. Participating organizations and service providers offered information, education, screenings and resources across areas including dental care, diabetes, mental health and other health and wellness needs. In total, Courtside Care has now activated in six different communities since its inauguration.
The program is designed to meet people where they are. Rather than asking families to navigate unfamiliar systems on their own, Courtside Care creates a space where community health organizations can introduce their services directly to residents, answer questions and help connect people with available programs and referral pathways. Depending on the organization, resources can be interactive or informational, with a focus on making health information approachable and accessible.
"I’ve been coaching for 25 years and you know we don’t always get exposed to what is out here," said Mike Miller, Coach at Motion Ball Sports. "So doing something like this exposes not only the child or the player, but it exposes things to the parents, and the parents will be able to see ‘hey this is available to us.’"
At the same time, youth take to the court for a basketball clinic led by Toronto Raptors Sport Development coaches. The combination creates an experience that supports both physical activity and overall wellbeing — with youth staying active on the court while families can explore health resources and connect with local service providers off the court.
In Kenora, the program was delivered alongside Kenora Chiefs Advisory, bringing local health and wellness organizations together with a free Raptors basketball clinic for youth.
“Having a wonderful activation day like this allows for our communities across Treaty 3 and the Kenora region to have a chance to have exposure, try different sports, get active, meet community members and just have some fun and grow and foster relationships," said Katie Root, Director at Youth and Family Wellness Camp. "It’s so important for them socially and physically for them to get active as well."
The approach reflects a simple idea: health and wellness are about more than a single appointment or screening. By creating opportunities for families to build awareness, ask questions and connect with trusted community organizations in an environment that feels welcoming, Courtside Care helps make those first steps toward better health more accessible.
Across Weston and Kenora, Courtside Care demonstrated the impact that can happen when sport, health care and community organizations come together around a shared goal.