NATHANIEL

Karlene Barnes was concerned that her son Nathaniel wasn’t getting the social interaction that he needed to grow. 

"I find that the neighbourhood here is not so friendly, so to speak,” Karlene explains. “There are kids, but everyone is so isolated, because of the winter as well.”

The Barnes family heard about Free Play for Kids through Nathaniel’s school, Balwin. Karlene was quick to sign him up, thinking it would give him a chance to socialize. One year later, the two of them have given rave reviews for the program. 

Karlene is especially happy with how Nathaniel has become more vocal since joining up with Free Play.

"He's more open, we have more lengthy conversations,” Karlene says. “He tells me what's going on, especially when his team wins."

"When he heard school was back in session he was like 'yes! I get to go back to Free Play!'" she says. “I remember when he started he was like 'mom this is the best thing ever I don't want it to stop,'”  “I was like 'what? This is my son?'"

Karlene hopes Free Play continues to let more families experience these opportunities.

Read more about Free to Play HERE: https://freeplayforkids.com/free-to-play

Written by Stefan Salegio