SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Children at the Center for Homeless now have a safe place to play outside while their parents get the help they need to get back on their feet.

On Friday, the center opened its new fenced-in courtyard that has been transformed into a miniature park for kids.

Much of the material and work to install the new area was donated by the community and local businesses.

Kids loved the new area and it also struck a chord with parents.

“Instead of seeing the hard things, it gives them something to do, and have fun and enjoy things,” said Freda Alford, a mother of four.

"I love this place; just to see our kids come alive and any of the fears and worries that they may have kinda go away here. It's a sanctuary for our children," said Steve Camilleri, Center for the Homeless.

The Center for Homeless did a little donating of their own to make room for the courtyard.

They gave an old piece of playground equipment to the Xavier School of Excellence just down the street.