North Sydney, NS – March 4, 2026 – Clifford Street Youth Centre is proud to unveil two newly transformed Smilezone spaces located in the centre’s main entrance and hangout room, creating bright and welcoming environments for children, youth and families in Cape Breton.
Designed and created by Smilezone Foundation, a national charity that has transformed more than 500 healthcare and community spaces across Canada, the new Smilezones are thoughtfully built to reduce anxiety, spark imagination, and foster a sense of comfort and belonging for children and families receiving care and support.
The transformation was made possible through the generous support of local Tim Hortons restaurant owners Karen Hatcher and Troy Wilson. Funding was raised during the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign, demonstrating the powerful impact of community-driven giving in Cape Breton. Proceeds raised by local Tim Hortons restaurant owners supported three vital community organizations: Clifford Street Youth Centre, BGC Cape Breton and Autism Cape Breton (2025) ensuring that children and families across the region benefit from enhanced programs, welcoming spaces and meaningful resources.
“These new Smilezones at Clifford Street Youth Centre are a testament to what’s possible when communities come together to support children and families,” said Jackie Hames, Executive Director of Smilezone Foundation. “Our goal is to create spaces that ease anxiety, encourage connection and bring moments of joy during what can often be challenging times. We are incredibly grateful to the local Tim Hortons owners and the Cape Breton community for making this transformation possible.”
Smilezone Foundation is proud to continue expanding across Canada, transforming treatment spaces into joyful, welcoming environments that support not only the children receiving care but also their families and the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to help them heal. The Smilezone team goes beyond creating bright and engaging spaces striving to build places of comfort, hope, and resilience.
“Kindness comes in many forms, and is always, all ways, better when shared over a cup of coffee…”
ABOUT SMILEZONE FOUNDATION:
Smilezone Foundation is a registered charity in Oakville, Ontario committed to improving the lives of children receiving medical treatment at health facilities across Canada. In 2012 founders Adam Graves and Scott Bachly were approached to make a financial contribution to the construction of a local hospital. Through partnerships with hospitals, community centers, and other organizations, Smilezone creates accessible, fun, and therapeutic environments where children can heal and thrive. The Foundation has transformed 500 spaces into Smilezones across Canada, benefiting communities in all ten provinces and reaching hundreds of thousands of children, parents, health care workers and families. For more information, visit www.smilezone.com.
ABOUT CLIFFORD STREET YOUTH CENTRE
Clifford Street Youth Centre North Sydney; opened in the heart of working- class Northside in 2008. It evolved into a ‘non- judgemental safe space’ for all area children from ages 4 to 18, and beyond, Providing free, always, meals, computers, internet, books, mentoring, outings, advice, gently used clothes, art, games, sport and so much more entirely free to any and all that attend…
-30-
For more information:
Brandy Burke, Paul Ratchford on Facebook for Clifford Street Youth Center REBORN
https://www.facebook.com/groups/939634086665797
Micki Benedetti
Smilezone Foundation
P: 905-466-2575
benedetti.micki@gmail.com
Leave A Comment