After eight years without a playground, children at an Oshawa housing co-operative are getting one they designed themselves

Since 2017, Maple Glen Housing Co-operative has been without a playground after deteriorating equipment was removed for safety reasons, leaving local children without a dedicated place to play close to home. Today, nearly 100 Foresters Financial™ employees joined KABOOM! and the Maple Glen community to change that, building a brand-new playspace at 777 Wilson Road that was inspired by the ideas and imagination of the children who will use it every day.

"A safe and welcoming place to play can make a meaningful difference in a child's life. Every child deserves a place where they can feel free, build confidence, form friendships and simply experience the joy of being a child. For 20 years, our partnership collaboration with KABOOM! has been grounded in a simple belief: when we create spaces for children to play, we help strengthen the communities around them. As we celebrate our 179^th playground, we are honored to stand alongside Maple Glen Housing Co-operative and help create a place where kids can be kids, families can come together, and new memories can begin." Matt Berman, President and CEO, Foresters Financial

The project celebrates 20 years of partnership between Foresters Financial and KABOOM!, as well as KABOOM!'s 30th anniversary. Together, the organizations have spent two decades creating spaces where children can play, families can connect and communities can grow stronger.

"Playgrounds are an iconic part of childhood, where kids build confidence, connection and memories that last a lifetime," said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM! "As KABOOM! celebrates 30 years of protecting childhood through play, we're proud to partner with Foresters Financial and Maple Glen Housing Co-operative to create a playspace that reflects the ideas and dreams of the children who will enjoy it every day. This project demonstrates what's possible when communities and partners come together to ensure every child has access to safe, welcoming places to play and grow."

"For years, our children have said, 'I'm bored. There's nowhere to play.' Then they were given the chance to put their dreams on paper, drawing the playground they wished they had. Now, through our partnership with KABOOM! and Foresters Financial, those drawings are becoming real. We can't wait for 'there's nowhere to play' to turn into 'let's go outside!' and 'I'm never leaving this place!' To see our children's ideas, imagination and voices become a place where they can play, laugh, grow and make memories is something our entire community will never forget." Laura Reid, Vice President, Maple Glen Housing Co-operative

Months before construction began, children from Maple Glen Housing Co-operative shared drawings and ideas for their dream playground with project organizers. Those ideas helped shape the final design, ensuring the finished playspace reflects the voices of the children who call the community home.

The new playspace is expected to serve 50 children who live within Maple Glen Housing Co-operative, while also providing a safe gathering place for more than 500 children living within a 15-minute walk. More than a playground, it restores a place where neighbors can connect, friendships can grow and families can build a stronger sense of community together.

For Foresters Financial, the Oshawa build is another example of how its purpose extends beyond financial security. By bringing employees together with community partners and local families, the organization continues its long-standing commitment to helping build stronger, healthier communities where good can thrive.

About Foresters Financial

Financial security and living your purpose

For over 150 years, Foresters has been helping families protect their financial future. But we don't stop there. As a purpose-driven organization, we empower our members with opportunities to enhance their health, support their local communities and champion the causes they care about most. We provide life insurance in the US and Canada, as well as life insurance and savings solutions in the UK, while partnering with our members to help them do more of the good they want to do.

Since 1874, we've been steadfast community builders. Today, sustainability, environmental consciousness and social responsibility are central to delivering our purpose. This commitment drives us to offer meaningful lifelong benefits¹, such as Foresters Care™ grants that unite communities, Competitive Scholarships² to nurture future leaders and more initiatives designed to create a world where good thrives. Together, we're making a difference while inspiring new generations to give back. Foresters Financial is the trade name for The Independent Order of Foresters, the oldest non-denominational fraternal benefit society. For 25 straight years, The Independent Order of Foresters has received an "A" (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best.³

Maple Glen Housing Co-operative

Maple Glen Housing Co-operative is a member-driven housing community in Oshawa, Ontario, comprising approximately 40 homes and built around the values of cooperation, shared responsibility and belonging. Governed by a volunteer board of directors, Maple Glen provides safe, affordable and inclusive housing while giving residents an active voice in shaping the community they call home.

Home to approximately 50 children, Maple Glen places a strong emphasis on creating opportunities for children and families to connect, grow and thrive. Community initiatives include outdoor movie nights and planned youth-focused programming such as self-esteem workshops and a babysitting club designed to build confidence, practical skills and connection among young residents.

The community has been without a playground since 2017, when its deteriorating play structure was removed after being deemed unsafe. A new inclusive playground will restore an important gathering place for Maple Glen families while also benefiting children and families in the surrounding community, with approximately 500 children living within a 15-minute walk of the site.

About KABOOM!

KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids, communities, and public and private partners to transform 17,000+ playspaces, expanding access to the physical, mental, and social benefits of play for more than 12 million kids nationwide. As KABOOM! celebrates its 30th year, the organization is focused on community-driven solutions through public-private partnerships, research, policy, and advocacy to elevate the current state of our kids and center youth voice in shaping equitable access to playspaces and nature. This July, KABOOM! released the State of Our Kids Report: Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis, an urgent call to action for cross-sector leaders to invest in solutions for the youth mental health crisis. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Foresters Financial, Foresters, Foresters Care, Foresters Moments, Foresters Renew, Foresters Member Discounts logo are trade names and trademarks of The Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3C 1T9) and its subsidiaries.

SOURCE The Independent Order of Foresters