recLINK connects children and youth (ages 4-18) living in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) communities with quality arts, sports, and camp programs at no cost to families. For many families, the cost and complexity of registration can make recreation feel out of reach. recLINK helps remove those barriers so every child has the chance to participate, grow, and thrive.
In 2025, recLINK completed 322 recreation registrations, delivered 595 days of camps, and provided a total of 10,434 hours of recreational programming for children and youth. A total of 718 children and youth accessed recreation through recLINK registrations and Pop-In & Play activities combined.
recLINK is delivered by a small team who act as the central point of contact for families and partner organizations. recLINK staff help families learn to navigate the recreation registration and subsidy systems, overcome barriers to participation, and link young people to programs that meet their needs and interests. recLINK partners with community arts, recreation, and sport organizations to ensure young people living in OCH can participate in the programs they are most passionate about.
Ready to explore recreation opportunities for your child? If you’re a tenant living in an OCH community with children aged 4–18, sign up below and our team will connect you to programs that fit your family’s needs.
Once we receive your application, a member of our team will contact you to learn more about your child’s interests and needs. We’ll help you explore available programs, navigate subsidies, and complete registration. Our team stays connected throughout the process to ensure your child is set up for success.
Pop-In & Play activities complement recLINK registrations by bringing recreation directly into OCH communities in a low-pressure, welcoming environment. Designed for all ages, these events introduce children, youth, families, adults, and seniors to new experiences from STEM workshops and paint parties to museum visits and sports like skating and soccer. By removing common barriers such as cost, transportation, mobility limitations, and incorporating shared meals to encourage connection, Pop-In & Play helps address isolation and expand access to recreation. In 2025, we hosted 30 Pop-In & Play events, bringing the joy of recreation to 248 adults and seniors, and 396 children and youth.
If you have more questions about the recLINK program, check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Families tell us that after participating in recLINK, their children grew in confidence, learnt new skills and developed the desire to try new activities. Recreation builds confidence, strengthens families, and creates pathways to lifelong wellbeing. Your support ensures that children growing up in OCH communities have the same opportunities to learn, play, and belong as their peers.
If you’re interested in expanding access to recreational opportunities for children and youth living in OCH communities, there are many ways to get involved:
Make a donation: It takes just $100 a year or $10 a month to provide year-round access to recreation for one child; a simple gift that can change a childhood.
Partner with us as a recreation, arts, or sport organization to create more accessible opportunities.
