Rangers mural supports children’s movement and independence at KidsAbility

Repping the Kitchener Rangers’ iconic red and blue, a new mural was unveiled at the coveted Kitchener Rangers Movement Room at KidsAbility’s newest King Street location. The unveiling marks a 14 year partnership that has brought joy and movement to kids and their families throughout Waterloo Region.

KidsAbility supports over 17,000 children, youth and families in Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington, delivering a wide and diverse range od rehabilitation services that can be hard to come by. In partnership with the Kitchener Rangers and Rangers Reach, KidsAbility has been able to expand its services to meet even more needs.

“The Kitchener Rangers Movement Room symbolizes the commitment of the Kitchener Rangers and Rangers Reach and their shared belief of supporting our work with children to build independence,” Jennifer Foster, CEO of KidsAbility said in a press release following the opening ceremony. “By donating to the renovation of our newest facility, they are helping each child explore their own ways to move so they can better focus, learn and socialize, and so much more, through play.”

The work on the Rangers Movement Room began in November 2023, when the Kitchener team announced a contribution of $100,000 to the KidsAbility Foundation to fund a new therapy room.

On Feb. 19 at a ribbon cutting ceremony, members of the team as well as the greater Waterloo community got to see how that money was put into action. Many families of children who use KidsAbility services were invited to revel in the ribbon cutting and to experience the novelty of the new therapy room.

“Lydia has not stop talking about her birthday wish coming true and meeting Jackson Parsons,” Israel Briand, a father of a child who uses KidsAbility, said in a press release. “With Lydia’s cerebral palsy she has a different gait while walking but with her determination, nothing stops her from moving about. She was so happy yesterday.”

But the association of the Rangers with KidsAbility is not new.

“Since 2011, the Club’s support and care for local families in our community has made the Kitchener Rangers and Rangers Reach a powerhouse far beyond the rink,” Lisa Talbot, Executive Director of KidsAbility Foundation, said in a release. In 2011 the Rangers made a notable contribution to the development of a KidsAbility site in Kitchener. Since, the hockey team has continued to support the organization’s mission to support children in the community.

“We were thrilled to be part of the ribbon cutting and opening of the KidsAbility Movement Room,” Kitchener Rangers COO, Joe Birch, said in a release. “We are grateful for the opportunity to continue our great partnership with KidsAbility and the opportunity to support an important cause in the community. In collaboration with Rangers Reach, the movement room will serve as a great spot for current and future KidsAbility families and children.”

Craig Campbell, Executive Director of Rangers Reach added, “Being able to attend the official opening of the Therapy Rooms at KidsAbility and witnessing first-hand how the kids utilizing the space just reassured me that the impact that our investment with KidsAbility is making true community impact.”