Coronavirus has disrupted businesses across the globe, but what about the impact it is having on kids, specifically kids in marginalized families? Social distancing disproportionately affects vulnerable kids in our communities, in ways far too often unseen or overlooked. This crisis will not only interrupt classroom learning but may also create a sense of isolation that will spread as widely and quickly as the pandemic itself.

Canada SCORES, an after-school program that focuses on the whole child by using a unique combination of soccer, poetry, and community projects to create a singular and comprehensive program that emphasizes physical activity, health and wellness, self-expression, academic engagement, and community involvement. Entirely free to all participants, and supporting over 250 kids across the lower mainland, our innovative model creates teams that work together on the soccer field, in the classroom, and in the community.

Despite not currently being able to hold in-person activities, Canada SCORES has partnered with The Mindful Project (https://www.mindfulproject.ca), a structured program designed for students and athletes to learn and practice mindfulness in their day-to-day lives, developed by Erin McLeod (a Canadian professional soccer player, two-time Olympian and four-time FIFA Women’s World Cup competitor) and Dr. Rachel Lindvall (a university professor and women’s soccer coach with a Doctorate in Mindfulness Research).

Together, we have found innovative ways to continue helping vulnerable children in the lower mainland through our “SCORES at Home” programming. With new content regularly – interactive soccer, poetry, and mindful exercises, video tips from our coaches, and live, online program sessions – "SCORES at Home" continue our mission by bringing SCORES to where kids are and when they need it the most!

"SCORES at Home" is kicking off on Monday, March 30, 2020, with a Mindfulness Video created by The Mindful Project.

Check it out here: https://www.canadascores.org/scores-at-home