A Sunday Well Spent: Kickball, Connection, and Community
- Leigh Calla
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
On September 14th, our WoodridgeMTB Trail Support Foundation team showed up for kickball and BBQ with the incredible folks from The Alpha House's Providence House, and what unfolded was exactly what we needed.
The Game That Mattered More Than the Score
From the first pitch to the final home run, the energy was contagious. Our ambassadors and team members played alongside Providence House participants in a game where competition quickly turned into connection. Cheering for teammates, celebrating small victories, and trash-talking over close calls – these moments reminded all of us of the simple joy that comes from just showing up and being present.
What hit me most was watching connections form between the bases and during the BBQ. Conversations started over a good play and continued over burgers. Laughter came easy. The barriers that often exist between organizations, between strangers, between people at different points in their journey? They just dissolved in the sunshine.
Why This Matters
Providence House clients are working to rebuild hope and set new goals for their futures, often while forming new meaningful connections as they separate from relationships tied to their addiction. Events like these provide opportunities to build healthy, supportive relationships in a natural, pressure-free environment. No formality, no pressure, just kickball and good company.
Alpha House has been serving Calgary for over 40 years, and their Housing Programs approach centers on something we deeply believe in: community is the healing agent. Individuals are responsible to the community, and the community is responsible to the individual. September 14th embodied that perfectly.
Research backs this up too, showing that community-based activities help build skills, confidence, and connection for adults in recovery. But you don't need the research to see it; you just needed to be on that field on September 14th.
Looking Forward
As we packed up the kickball equipment and said our goodbyes, the consensus was clear: this needs to happen again. The afternoon reminded all of us why outdoor recreation and community connection matter so deeply, especially for those on recovery journeys.
Sometimes the most profound healing doesn't happen in formal treatment settings. It happens in the simple joy of a shared game, a good meal, and the knowledge that you're surrounded by people who care.
Thank you to the entire Alpha House Providence House team and all the participants who made this day so special. A huge thank you to Elyse Milligan and the team at SMiiL Heights for providing the generous BBQ that brought everyone together. Here's to many more afternoons of connection, competition, and community building ahead. 🖤
-Leigh Calla
The WoodridgeMTB Trail Support Foundation is proud to support local recovery and mental health initiatives in Calgary. Alpha House Society has been providing crucial addiction and recovery services to Calgarians since 1981.
