In this episode, Sherri & Jessie talk with Tim Adams of Free Play For Kids (formerly Free Footie) where he talks about how things all started, how things have evolved & what his plans are for the future. Free Play For Kid's mission is is to provide vulnerable kids with the opportunity to play in a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment at no cost to them or their families—because when kids are empowered through play, their families, their schools, and their communities are empowered as well. Tim Adams was the founder of Free Footie and has been working towards his dream of utilizing sport to encourage and teach leadership skills for life. Now Free Play For Kids offers soccer, basketball, ice hockey & football programs after school for 10s of 1,000's of students. For more information about their programs visit: https://freeplayforkids.com/
[2:00] Who is Free Play?
[7:27] The evolution of Free Play For Kids & his awakening moment for the direction of the organization after COVID
[10:21] The value of "play"
[12:32] Tim talks about his mentors & who impacted him
[17:15] How can it be practical?
[19:09] Hi my name is...
[25:01] The 0.0001% of kids
[26:03] Alfonso Davies' impact on their program
[30:21] Essential leadership skills for "A" players & "B" players
[33:02] "That's your team..."
[39:10] We're not just a sports program, changed since COVID
[40:03] Kids who go through the programs & are now back giving back to the program
[42:17] Average day for Tim & Free Play For Kids
[46:04] Taking a step out of the spotlight
[51:00] COVID's impact on the organization
[54:32] How to support them to get through this time - change in donor mentality
[59:21] Celebrating the success of Free Play For Kids
[1:01:00] How Tim wants to be remembered...
"We don't talk enough about the value of play & how it relates to belonging & mental health."
"I just wanted to pay it forward."
"I think about how privileged positions of leadership are."
"We need life experience in positions of leadership."
"When are we ever taught these simple life skills?"
"We don't need more people that look like me in those leadership roles."
"Every kid should have access..."
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More information about the Free Play For Kids: https://freeplayforkids.com/