welcome to

UCAN CANADA YOUTH ASSOCIATION

We strive to build stronger communities and to create a more equitable society by promoting equality, inclusivity and community connections. This is to ensure that all children have equal access and opportunities to participate in social and sports activities regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or ability.

August 2025 Sports Gear/Bottle Drive

Hockey Donations!

We donated $3000+ worth of hockey gear, including sticks, skates, pucks, and protective gear, to the Calgary Flames sports bank! A huge thank you to all the donors from the Northwest community in Calgary! These donations will kickstart many young hockey careers!

Swimsuit Donations!

A huge thank-you to Swim Gear Store for their remarkable contribution of over $2,000 worth of competitive racing and training suits! Your generosity directly supports our mission to make swimming accessible to every athlete, regardless of background. With your help, we went back to our core mission. Young swimmers can train and compete with pride, ensuring that talent, not resources, defines opportunity in the pool.

All of our donations, including the bottles. We collected $25 in bottles that was donated to Girls in Sport Canada!

Highlights – March 2o25

Young Sports-a-Thon makes it to the Netherlands!

At United World College Maastricht in the Netherlands, our founder and director Emma Mo implemented the Young Spots-a-Thon. The Young-Sports-a-Thon was an event aimed at primary students (year 1-4) to give the ability to test out new sports under a fun competitive setting. With support from several volunteers from Years 12 and 13, Emma helped coordinate three different sports experiences—basketball, football, and volleyball. We were fortunate to utilize the school’s facilities, which allowed us to provide a safe and engaging space for all activities. With the help of the Swap Shop Foundation, we were also able to provide healthy snacks for the participants, promoting the importance of nutrition and overall well-being alongside physical activity. The event fostered teamwork, confidence, and a love for trying new things.

December 2024

First Webinar Series Launch!

In December 2024, we proudly launched our very first online webinar series — a significant step in expanding our outreach and providing accessible educational content to families. Among the series, the Performance Anxiety Webinar stood out as one of the most well-received sessions.

Children and parents alike tuned in to learn practical strategies for managing stress and overcoming nerves in high-pressure situations, such as sports competitions, exams, and public performances. The session featured expert insights, real-life examples, and interactive Q&A segments that empowered attendees with tools to build confidence and emotional resilience.

The positive feedback and high level of engagement confirmed the demand for these types of resources, and we’re excited to continue developing webinar content that supports the well-being and performance of young people.

 August 2023

Young Sports-a-Thon in Edmonton!

In August 2023, the Edmonton Community Foundation gave us a $5000 grant under their Young Edmonton Grants initiative. We used these funds to host a free outdoor learn to play event for over 50 children aged 5-10! Thank you to all the participants and donors!

OUR VISION

A community where all children have access to equal opportunities for social connection, community involvement, and overall well-being


OUR mission

To address the social isolation and exclusion experienced by children of new immigrants and low-income families, by providing programs and services that foster inclusion, equality, and community participation. Through our work, we aim to build stronger communities and create a more equitable society for all.

OUR values

  • Inclusion We believe that all children have the right to feel accepted, valued, and included in their communities.
  • Equity We believe in creating opportunities for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances, to access the resources and support they need to thrive.
  • Empowerment We believe in empowering children to become leaders in their communities, by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
  • Collaboration We believe in working collaboratively with community partners, volunteers, and other organizations to achieve our mission.
  • Cultural sensitivity We believe in promoting cultural sensitivity and awareness, and celebrating the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the children and families we serve.

what we are concerned about

Inequality and Social Isolation

Social isolation and inequality in children’s sports and social activities are significant issues that can negatively impact the physical and mental health, social development, and future opportunities of children, especially  from new immigrant and low-income families.

Social isolation refers to a lack of social connections, relationships, and community involvement, which can lead to feelings of loneliness, alienation, and disconnection. Children from new immigrant families may face social isolation due to living in a new country with a different culture and language, and experiencing discrimination or prejudice based on their background. Children from low-income families may be isolated due to economic barriers, such as being unable to afford extracurricular activities or living in neighborhoods with limited resources and social opportunities. Inequality in children’s sports and social activities, for example, can limit their access to opportunities and have long-term effects on their physical and mental health. Limited funding for sports and social programs, discrimination or exclusion based on gender identity or race, and limited access to facilities and resources all contribute to this issue.

Social isolation and inequality in children’s sport and social activities can have the following adverse effects:

Physical Health: When children do not have access to sports or other physical activities, they may be at a higher risk of developing health problems like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. These problems can have long-term effects on a child’s health and well-being.

Mental Health: Social activities and sports can also play a significant role in a child’s mental health. Children who are excluded from these activities may feel isolated, lonely, and may struggle with low self-esteem. This can lead to a range of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

Social Development: Children learn important social skills through their participation in sports and other activities. They learn how to interact with others, how to communicate effectively, and how to work as part of a team. When children are excluded, they may miss out on these key learning opportunities.

Access to Opportunities: Inequality in children’s sports and social activities can also limit their access to opportunities in the future. For example, children who do not have access to sports may miss out on the opportunity to develop athletic skills that could lead to college scholarships or other opportunities later in life.

come & join

Our Programs & Services

Camps

Join us at sports and activity camps where every child plays fun stuff and learn new skills together.

Community Participation

Various projects for children and families to connect with each other and build a sense of community through events and programs.

Learn to Play Tours

We will introduce different kinds of competitive activities sports and social, and let every child try it.

Support an Athlete

Donate to those in need by offering second hand gear/equipment! We will collect them and donate them to local charities.

STAFF

Our Team

FOUnder & managing director

Emma Mo

Emma is a high school student based in Calgary AB, and who is studying abroad in the Netherlands. Her background is in competitive swimming, where she swam for eight years.

“When I was in elementary school, I became extremely determined to face the adversity of athletics. Following the 2016 Summer Olympics I found a passion for competitive swimming, but I came across many aspects of sports that were not glorious. Many close teammates quit because they did not have the family support or funding to continue playing sports. By way of my passion for athletics, I also developed a devotion to creating an even playing field. I created this project and organization to ensure youth get equal opportunities in sports and other activities. Swimming is one of the most valued parts of my life as I learned the importance of persistence and commitment to turn strenuous tasks into success. With this organization, I hope to bring the same opportunities for many other aspiring athletes by providing programs and services and supporting other charities.”

managing director

Jet Chen

Jet is a high school student based in Edmonton AB. His background is in artistic gymnastics and bouldering.

“I truly believe that a healthy relationship with physical education can do so much in terms of not just physical, but mental health as well. This occurred to me about two years ago, when I took up rock climbing. I had done gymnastics for over 10 years prior, which greatly helped to build my fundamental abilities. Climbing requires a great deal of focus and concentration, which helps to clear the mind and reduce stress. Additionally, being part of a climbing community has allowed me to connect with others who share my passion for physical activity and pushing boundaries. Overall, I believe that sports and physical activity have the power to positively impact both individual and community health, and should be made accessible to everyone regardless of their background or circumstances.”

 

our story

She could be an Olympian…

by Emma Mo, founder & Managing Director

It all started with a close friend of mine I met at swimming. This friend, for privacy reasons, will be called Alex. She was a talented swimmer since her childhood. When we trained at the same competitive swimming club, everyone knew that she had the potential to become a great athlete. She won many championships, and even named the top 10 swimmers when she was young. But as Alex grew older, her family faced financial difficulties, which made it impossible for her to continue her training. She was forced to quit swimming, and her talent went unnoticed.

I couldn’t just stand idly by and watch Alex’s dream of becoming a professional athlete slip away. I knew that there were many kids like her out there who were denied the opportunity to pursue their passion because of their financial situation. Therefore, I decided to start a not-for-profit organization that would promote sport and social equality for kids, and help create more opportunities for them to participate in our community.

I collaborated with my friends who were also passionate about sports and social activities shared my vision. Together, we brainstormed ideas and came up with a plan. Our organization would provide programs and services that foster inclusion, equality, and community participation. Through our work, we will build stronger communities and create a more equitable society for all kids. We will seek for financial assistance to kids from low-income families or new immigrants who had the potential to become great athletes and community leaders.

We started small, with just a handful of volunteers and a few donors. Our first step was to create awareness and develop a few easy projects to test our ideas. Currently, we are offering six program and services areas, and are seeking partners and financial support.

COLLABORATION

Our Partner

Recent Activities

Events & Projects

UCYA signed partnership agreement with SwimGearStore.com

We are incredibly grateful for SwimGearStore.com's generosity in donating free swimsuits to young swimmers and their families in Ukraine. Their commitment to providing quality swimwear ensures that these families can enjoy swimming, no matter training or recreation...

Support Children from Ukraine to Participate in Competitive Swimming and Enjoy the Summer Fun

As summer approaches, many families look forward to spending time in the water, swimming, and enjoying the sun. Some children will attend summer learn-to-swim or advanced, competitive swim camps. However, not all families have access to proper swimwear, especially...

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