Twelve-year-old Noel Haile never misses a chance to attend his weekly Movin' & Groovin' program.
He's even created a song about the program, offered by the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities (SLCHC) at Wilfrid Laurier University's Waterloo campus, and happily performs it for anyone who will listen.
Haile, 12, lives with Down syndrome and autism, and has participated in the centre's adapted programs since 2019, including Movin' & Groovin' and, more recently, House of Hockey.
"He loves it here," says Elsa Tesfayohannes, Noel's mother. "He looks forward to coming to Laurier every week and seeing the student volunteers. He won't miss it."
The Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities is one of many Laurier initiatives that offer inclusive programs for children and youth living with developmental disabilities in the university's host communities.
Noel Haile with former Laurier student and SLCHC volunteer Sarah.
"I'm thrilled to see the many ways Laurier students, faculty and staff empower children and youth living with developmental disabilities," says Andrea Davis, Laurier's associate vice-president: equity, diversity and inclusion. "Laurier is proud to foster a university community where everyone can experience a sense of belonging, and community partnerships like these help our students further develop the skills and social empathy needed to succeed in the complex world beyond university."
Physical activity for everyone
Founded in 2016 by Kinesiology and Physical Education faculty members Kim Dawson and Pam Bryden, the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities aims to reduce barriers to physical activity including cost and traditional skill levels to promote healthy lifestyles and a love for movement in children and youth in Waterloo Region and Brantford-Brant.Programs are offered at Laurier's Northdale campus on Hickory Street in Waterloo and at select elementary schools in Kitchener, Waterloo and Brantford.
"Removing barriers such as cost, location and skill requirements makes it easier for everyone to be active, be healthy and try a sport they might not otherwise have the opportunity to play," says Nicole Vandermade, program manager at the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities.
The centre's programs are often supported by Kinesiology and Physical Education students enrolled in experiential learning courses, including KP300: Teaching and Coaching Sport and KP460: Children in Physical Education. In class, students explore topics including physical activity and child development, structured and unstructured play, and coaching. In addition to course work, they complete SLCHC training before being paired one-on-one with participants.
Kinesiology major and Laurier men's hockey defenceman Callum Chisholm supported the centre's summer 2026 offering of the adapted MLSE House of Hockey program. Launched in 2025, the program adapts ball hockey fundamentals for participants living with physical and intellectual disabilities. Adaptations have included using pool noodles instead of hockey sticks to teach spatial awareness and larger balls during passing drills.
"I love working with the kids in this program," says Chisholm. "They bring so much energy and excitement, and it's incredible to see their skills grow. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with the community in this way."
Registration for fall programs offered by the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities opens in mid-September.
