Edmonton, Alberta – March 4, 2025 – Little Warriors is thrilled to announce the grand opening of newly designed Smilezone spaces at Be Brave Ranch, providing vibrant, engaging, and healing environments for children on their journey to recovery.
Thanks to the generous donation from Vipond Inc., these newly transformed spaces—the basement in the Mertz Cabin and the dining hall in the Main Lodge—offer a safe, uplifting atmosphere for children undergoing treatment for child sexual abuse trauma. The Smilezones are designed to bring comfort, joy, and moments of happiness to children navigating difficult experiences.
“At Smilezone Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a space where they can feel safe, supported, and uplifted during their healing journey,” said Scott Bachly, Smilezone Foundation Co-Founder. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of Vipond Inc., we’ve been able to create bright, welcoming Smilezones at Be Brave Ranch that will bring comfort and joy to children who need it most. These spaces are designed to inspire smiles, promote emotional well-being, and provide a sense of hope as children work through their recovery.”
The Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch is dedicated to providing comprehensive treatment and support for children who have experienced child sexual abuse trauma. The addition of Smilezones enhances the therapeutic experience by offering spaces designed to bring joy and positivity into their healing journey.
“We are incredibly grateful to Vipond Inc. for their continued generosity and commitment to our mission,” said Dr. Wanda Polzin-Holman, Be Brave Ranch Clinical Director. “These Smilezone spaces will make a lasting impact on the lives of the children we support, giving them a place where they can truly be kids and feel safe, engaged, and empowered within our intensive therapeutic setting.”
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.
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. Smilezone has transformed 450 spaces into Smilezones across Canada, benefiting over 96 communities and reaching hundreds of thousands of children, parents, health care workers and families. For more information, visit www.smilezone.com.
ABOUT LITTLE WARRIORS:
Little Warriors is a national charity dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse. Since 2014, the Be Brave Ranch by Ray Labonte & Family has transformed the lives of hundreds of children, youth, and families, helping them heal from the profound trauma of sexual abuse trauma. Today, the Ranch offers a range of specialized programs, including trauma-informed care, counselling, and support services, empowering survivors to reclaim their lives and build a brighter future. For more information, visit www.littlewarriors.ca.
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For more information:
Micki Benedetti Mary Anne Rygh
Smilezone Foundation Little Warriors | Be Brave Ranch
P: 905-466-2575 P: 780-922-9010
benedetti.micki@gmail.com maryanne@littlewarriors.ca
To Download the Press Release as a PDF please click the link: Smilezone and Little Warriors – Press Release FINAL
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