“I feel like a kid again”: the voices of youth experiencing homelessness in a mobile recreation program

ABSTRACT Youth homelessness is at an all-time high in Canada and is a complex social issue. The vast majority of interventions and research focuses on addressing the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness, such as housing, harm reduction (due to substance use, violence, and crime) food security, and illness. The important role that recreation, sport, and physical activity play in the lives of youth is well established, however, the experiences of homeless youth in these spaces are relatively unknown. Thus, in partnership with a not-for-profit organisation and emergency youth shelters, this research study explored homeless youths’ experience of participating in a mobile recreation-based program and how this experience impacted their everyday lives. Ten youth currently residing in emergency shelters who participated in the program engaged in either one-on-one or group interviews. A qualitative content analysis approach was employed and three key themes were identified: (1) creating safe social spaces and cultivating relationships, (2) reconnecting to previous passions and meaning, and (3) promoting wellness. Findings suggest that the recreation program provided unique and layered experiences for the youth participants and had profound impacts on their overall wellbeing. Implications for practitioners and policy makers are offered.