Ontario Helping More Children Access Baseball Programming

May 08, 2025

$300,000 investment in Jays Care Foundation will help more youth play baseball and learn to stay active and healthy

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $300,000 in Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, to help expand baseball programming for children and youth throughout the province. This funding is through the province’s Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program, which expands sport and recreation opportunities for children and youth across Ontario.

“Our government is proud to partner with world-class organizations like Jays Care,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “As Ontario families face rising costs due to the threat of tariffs, our government is breaking down barriers for children of all backgrounds and abilities so they can experience the life-changing benefits of participating in sport and recreation.”

This investment will support Jays Care’s Indigenous Rookie League and Challenger Baseball programs to help further the Jays Care Foundation’s mission to use baseball as a tool for development for children and youth across Canada.

“Jays Care Foundation is deeply grateful to the Ontario Ministry of Sport for its continued generous support of our Challenger Baseball and Indigenous Rookie League programs. The Government of Ontario’s funding will inspire community connections, cultivate a love for baseball, and support the well-being of youth living with disabilities, and Indigenous youth across the province. By enabling more children to access these transformative baseball programs, and equipping coaches with the tools to make sport more inclusive, this contribution will have a lasting impact. Together, we are fostering a healthier, more connected, and confident future for young people across Ontario, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive through the power of baseball.” – Jules Porter, Director, Programs, Jays Care Foundation

Jays Care Foundation runs several core programs to reach children and youth facing significant barriers to sport participation. Programs such as Challenger Baseball and Indigenous Rookie League reach children and youth facing significant barriers and create more opportunities for them to participate in sport and recreation, promoting healthier, more connected lives.

Quick Facts

• Since its inception in 2021-22, the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program has provided more than 65,000 children and youth across Ontario with opportunities to participate in sport and recreation programming in their communities.
• Under-represented and/or marginalized populations benefitting from IGR include low-income families, racialized children and youth, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, newcomers, women and girls, persons with a disability, children and youth in Northern Ontario and Indigenous communities.
• Challenger Baseball supports schools and community organizations in setting up and delivering adaptive baseball programs that enable children and youth with disabilities to participate in a high-quality, safe and inclusive sport and play environment.
• Indigenous Rookie League supports Indigenous schools, communities and organizations in developing initiatives tailored to their unique needs and goals, including league play between communities or introductory baseball programs within schools or communities.

Quotes

“Our government is strongly committed to helping all young people achieve lifelong success, which is why we fund and oversee programs and services that support the healthy development of Ontario’s children. As Minister, I want to give a special thank you to the Jays Care Foundation for working so hard to provide children and youth with amazing opportunities to play, learn and grow.”

– Michael Parsa
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services

“Ontario’s investment in Jays Care Foundation’s Indigenous Rookie League creates meaningful pathways for Indigenous youth to build essential skills, forge strong community connections, and live active lives. Accessible recreation programs like these enable young people to grow confidently and reach their full potential. Supporting Indigenous families through sport delivers lasting impacts that strengthen entire communities.”

– Greg Rickford
Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation

Additional Resources

• Supporting children and youth | Annual progress report 2024: Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan
• Jays Care Foundation
• Ontario Helping More Children Access Sport and Recreation
• Ontario Expanding Opportunities for Girls in Sport

Media Contacts

Wesley Austin
Minister’s Office
Wesley.austin@ontario.ca

Media Relations
Communications Branch
SPORT.Media@ontario.ca

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