Where Hope Lives - The Boardgame

When children see someone with a visible disability, many well-meaning parents instinctively say, “Don’t stare.” But looking away can create separation—and invisibility. Where Hope Lives, a board game developed for Safehaven by The Local Collective, flips this narrative by empowering parents to teach kids to engage with difference, not avoid it. Because inclusion begins not with silence—but with a simple “hello.”

Rooted in Safehaven’s mission to create more inclusive communities for people with medical complexity, the campaign was born from a key insight: over 75% of GTA parents say they lack the tools to talk to their kids about disability, despite 95% agreeing it’s important. The game—along with a thoughtfully designed parent guide—became the tool. Using trivia, obstacle cards, and character-building gameplay where characters become more visible as kids advance, the board game offers an age-appropriate, screen-free, empathy-building experience for families.

This integrated campaign included partnerships with parenting influencers, expert advocacy through Disability & Inclusion Consultant Lindsey Mazza, and citywide distribution to summer camps across the Toronto. Proceeds support Safehaven’s inclusive care programs.

The campaign doesn’t just educate—it inspires action, helping parents model inclusive values at home and raising visibility for medically complex children across real-life social settings.

Where Hope Lives isn’t just a board game. It’s a catalyst for conversation, empathy, and belonging.