Minister Searle Turton visits Free Play!
Alberta’s Minister of Children and Family Services, Searle Turton, visited Free Play with an announcement of funding more programs like Free Play to assist the mental well-being of kids and families!
Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family for the Government of Alberta
This past week was Mental Health Week, and Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family for the Government of Alberta, took on the opportunity to visit us at Free Play and announce new funding for programs supporting the mental well-being of children and families. As part of this initiative, Free Play for Kids also received a grant for its Free to Play program.
In his speech, Turton highlighted the provincial government’s commitment to supporting youth and their families, emphasizing the importance of making sure they know where to find help. He also acknowledged that today's youth face intense pressures and stressed that ignoring mental health challenges only worsens outcomes. Being seen and supported by someone who cares, he noted, can make a profound difference—and even save lives.
Searle Turton, during his speech, to his side are: Ruke Okome (Chief Operating Officer) and Tim Adams (Chief Executive Officer/Founder).
“We’re here today to recognize the many incredible organizations across Alberta doing vital work on this matter. Programs like Free Play for Kids are essential in supporting young people. That’s why the Government of Alberta launched the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant in 2022.”
Following this, our executive director, Tim Adams, thanked Turton for the support, highlighting that Free Play is not often seen as a program worthy of this kind of investment, since many only see kids playing. He thanked Minister Turton and his colleagues for seeing beyond that, before going on to explain how the grant money will be used.
“This grant goes to support our daily after-school program that runs out of 24 of the highest needs elementary schools in Edmonton. Our staff arrive at these schools every day at 2:30 to be there when the last bell of the day rings, so that kids have somewhere to be from 3 to 5 pm. Not only is this big for belonging and all other outcomes, it’s big for families”
Following Adam’s announcement, kids in the program came out and played with Minister Searle, wrapping up the visit with some fun and smiles.
