TCHC and Jays Care Foundation’s Rookie League hits a homerun for hundreds of kids across Toronto

TORONTO, July 7, 2022 – Toronto Community Housing (TCHC), in partnership with Jays Care Foundation, is pleased to host Opening Day 2022 for Rookie League, its summer-long, baseball day camp for children and youth ages 6 to 15.

With a history stretching back over 30 years, Rookie League is TCHC's most popular youth program, engaging hundreds of young tenants every summer from dozens of TCHC communities across the city. Supporting child development and encouraging teamwork, leadership and fair play both on and off the field, Rookie League features baseball games, skills-and-drills, arts and crafts, free meals and more.

Rookie League will also continue to offer a Leader in Training (LIT) camp for tenants ages 13 to 15. LIT includes both virtual and in-person components where youth will gain life skills in leadership, teamwork, communication and self-esteem.

Perhaps most importantly, Rookie League is free and accessible to kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play baseball.

Last year, 709 participants from more than 60 TCHC communities participated in a hybrid season due to COVID-19. More than 100 facilitators helped to run the program, which featured 26 virtual cohorts.

TCHC and Jays Care Foundation will kick off this year's program with the Opening Day 2022 event at Dovercourt Park this morning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An estimated 600 children and youth are expected to arrive from TCHC communities across Toronto to participate in a full day of interactive games, skills-and-drills and play stations featuring bouncy castles and inflatables.

The 2022 Rookie League season officially runs from July 4 to August 19, 2022.

Quotes

"We're so grateful to Jays Care Foundation for their partnership in delivering Rookie League in our communities. Their decades-long commitment to our children and youth has touched the lives of thousands of our young tenants and their families, creating a safe space for kids to learn, develop and make new friends."

-  Jag Sharma, President and CEO, Toronto Community Housing

 

"We are excited to once again offer our best-in-class Rookie League program to children and youth living in Toronto Community Housing. This summer camp, offered at no cost to participants, will provide hundreds of kids with valuable leadership development opportunities over the coming months. We'd like to thank all those involved for making it possible."

 -  Robert Witchel, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation                                                                              

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About Toronto Community Housing

Toronto Community Housing (www.torontohousing.ca) is Canada's largest social housing provider. We are owned by the City of Toronto and provide homes for nearly 60,000 low- and moderate-income households in more than 100 of the city's neighbourhoods. Our buildings represent a $10-billion public asset.

Media contact:

Daniel Kim, TCHC: Daniel.kim@torontohousing.ca

TCHC Media Line 416-737-1352 or media@torontohousing.ca