Toronto City Mission

Toronto City Mission will receive a S'port Grant to enable them to purchase sporting equipment for after-school programs for kids from "at risk" families at two community sites, St. James Town and Malvern. Sporting activities include soccer, floor hockey and softball. An estimated 100 elementary school-aged children will have the opportunity to participate in healty activities two afternoons each week, thereby providing a positive alternative to being left at home alone or to hanging around the streets with all the potential trouble that can bring, i.e. drugs, gang activities, etc.

St. James Town is the most densely populated neighbourhood in Canada, with over 20,000 people living in the area bound by Bloor, Parliament, Sherbourne and Wellesley.  TCM assumes that if the children live in the neighbourhood, they are poor and need assistance.  In Malvern, the density of the population is much less and TCM is advertising in cooperation with the Berner Trail Elementary School about their program opportunities.  In both locations, most of the children are new Canadians.

Executive Director - Ken Little

Stay in School and Keep the Peace Basketball

This organization will use the funds to support the following programs:

a.      Stay in School Tournament

Every February for the past 5 years a one-day tournament has been held by this organization, run by Program Director Sgt. Chris Wilson of the Toronto Police Service.  Kids have the opportunity to listen to a Toronto Raptor basketball player speak about the importance of obtaining an education and staying out of trouble.  Several successful community persons speak about their positive experiences playing basketball and going to school.  Last year 49 teams attended.  Each team is allowed to bring 15 players and 2 coaches for a total of 735 children.  The year before last 59 teams participated, but the group had to limit the number of teams this year due to the re-organizing of the Community Response Unit at Chris' police station.  With the funding from S'port For Kids Foundation they hope to return to a 60 - 75 team tournament, which would allow 150 to 375 more children to participate. 

b.      Raptorball House League

This fall will commence a house-league on Saturday mornings at Western Tech. H.S.  There are 4 gyms, which will allow the accommodation of 32 teams.  Each team will have a maximum of 15 players = 480 children under the age of 16 years old.

c.      Provincial Competition Teams (Toronto Five-O Program)

Presently, there are 4 Toronto Five-O basketball teams that play in the Central Basketball Association league and compete in weekend tournaments.  The final tournament is the Ontario Championships.

Each team has a maximum of 12 players.  The children and youth are selected for the teams based on their ability and effort made during the house-league play.  There are girls playing on the boys teams, as there is currently no appropriate girls team for them to play on.  This program allows those interested in skilled competition to compete at a higher level.  Many of those involved hope for a sports scholarship opportunity.  Next year with our additional funding they plan to add 2 more teams (24 youths).

This program is very costly to operate as it involves tournament registrations, travel, hotel and some food expenses.  Many of the children and youth are from financially strapped family situations and would not be able to afford to join teams without the assistance provided by the program.  The estimated budget for each team to operate for a season is $10,000.00 X 6 teams =  $60,000.00.

The teams that presently operate have had the benefit of traveling to Delhi, London (ON), Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Waterloo, and Ottawa.  Many of the children experience their first trip out of the city and the opportunity to stay in a hotel with their friends and a police officer.

Summary:

The purpose of the organization is to teach children fundamental life skills through learning a sport, with emphasis on attitude, conditioning, experience, sportsmanship and goal setting.  The programs allow kids to develop skills in time management, social dynamics, team leadership, problem solving and team building.  The ultimate goal is to see students continue their education beyond high school and receive College Diplomas and University Degrees.

Program Director - Sgt. Chris Wilson

Regent Park Community Centre

This community centre offers a variety of social development programs using sport, by providing the opportunity for kids to participate in their recreational activities in a variety of sport disciplines.  Regent Park has had great success in developing these programs, as they are proud champions City-wide in Basketball for the under 13, under 16 and under 19 divisions.  In City-wide ice Hockey they are also proud champions in 3 age categories.  The basketball program impacts approximately 150 kids with 60 of these children in the 6 to 11 age group participating in the beginner basketball program.  The hockey program accommodates approximately 200 participants and its success has spilled over into a first effort at outdoor roller hockey
this summer.

Regent Park Community Centre covers the area of Don River to the East, Sherbourne Street to the West, King Street to the South and Gerrard Street to the North.  A S'port Grant is needed to purchase equipment and material supplies for the various sporting activities.

Click here to make a donation to S'port for Kids

History of Grant Recipients