INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAYS CARE

At Jays Care Foundation, we work in partnership with many First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities and urban Indigenous organizations across the territory now referred to as Canada. We recognize that this territory is an unequal one, especially for children and youth identifying as Indigenous or living in Indigenous communities. That’s why so much of the work we do focuses on responding to the calls to action around sport and youth programs as laid out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report 2012.

In order to answer these calls to action, we partner with Indigenous communities and organizations on a wide-range of inclusive, trauma-sensitive, and evidence-based sport-for-development programs. Our free, award-winning programs are catered towards children and youth facing barriers to ensure that they are not left out.

1. SCHOOLS: BECOME A JAYS CARE AFFILIATE SCHOOL

Want to bring inclusive sport programming to your school? Apply to become a Jays Care Affiliate School and run award-winning extracurriculars for your students.

Jays Care is building a roster of dedicated educators to deliver safe, accessible, and inclusive baseball and softball extracurriculars to classrooms across the country. We specialize in training educators to run programs for Indigenous youth, newcomers, girls, and youth living with disabilities.

Join us and you’ll receive a specialized equipment kit, Blue Jays t-shirts and hats for your students, a best-in-class program manual, and professional support from the Jays Care

Our hope is that this program will connect and inspire your students to aid in their recovery from the pandemic and become part of our Blue Jays community! Applications are now open at Jays Care | Programs | Affiliate Schools and the program runs for 8+ weeks from January to June.

2. TRIBAL COUNCILS & HEALTH AUTHORITIES: START AN INDIGENOUS ROOKIE LEAGUE

Want to establish a league that connects many Indigenous communities to each other and that tackles long-term social goals? Click here to learn about Indigenous Rookie League!

Indigenous Rookie League is a unique inter-generational baseball program that increases physical and mental health outcomes for children and youth, while also promoting healing through innovative points systems, inter-generational connections and collaboration among neighbouring communities. The leagues are co-created with leadership from Tribal Councils or Health Authorities to meet the unique goals for that area. Partners receive league design support, funding, equipment, coach training, and community-based launch support to help their leagues succeed. To learn more about launching an Indigenous Rookie League in your area send an email to [email protected].

3. FOR INDIGENOUS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: BECOME A JAYS CARE COMMUNITY PARTNER

Want to bring inclusive sport programming to your organization or community? Apply to become a Jays Care Community Partner and run award-winning sport for development programming for the children and youth you serve!

Jays Care is building a roster of dedicated community partners to deliver safe, accessible, and inclusive programming to communities across the country. We specialize in training recreation workers or afterschool program staff to run baseball and softball for development sessions that are fun, inclusive and easy for those running them. Join us and you’ll receive: a specialized equipment kit, Blue Jays t-shirts and hats for your participants and leaders, a best-in-class program manual, funding to offset program costs and professional support from the Jays Care team! Applications open in February: Jays Care Community Partners | Toronto Blue Jays (mlb.com) and programming runs for 8+ weeks anytime between March and August.

4. FOR ANYONE WORKING WITH INDIGENOUS GIRLS: LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS!

Want to inspire girls in your program/organization or community to become change makers? Our L.I.T. Girls Virtual Program bring like-minded youth together to discover their strengths, foster community and build leadership skills.

L.I.T. Girls is a 6-week virtual Zoom experience for self-identified girls who could benefit from exclusive leadership training in a safe and welcoming environment. This cohort meets weekly to attend online sessions focused on discovering their strengths, exploring leadership opportunities, and making meaningful connections with like-minded youth. If there are self-identified girls (aged 13-15) that you know that could benefit from this leadership opportunity, nominate them at LIT Girls | Toronto Blue Jays (mlb.com).

5. LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS ON THE JAMES BAY COAST

Want to refer female youth to a robust and transformational program? The James Bay Girls At Bat program is a great life promotion and leadership program to consider!

James Bay Girls At Bat is a program for self-identified Indigenous females that promotes hope and resilience while building protective factors in support of life promotion. The goal of the program is to help youth find that place where they flourish despite the challenges they may face. The program has been noted by Indigenous Leaders, mental health workers and front-line staff as a program that provides the supports required to not only prevent tragedy, but also promote healing, hope and positive futures. Learn more about this program at Jays Care | James Bay Girls At Bat | Toronto Blue Jays (mlb.com).

6. UPGRADE YOUR BASEBALL DIAMONDS OR PLAY SPACES

Looking to upgrade or refurbish your baseball diamond or safe play space? Consider applying for our Field of Dreams grant. Applications open in September. Find out more here: Jays Care | Field Of Dreams | Toronto Blue Jays (mlb.com)