On Wednesday, August 31st, Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, announced $1.45 million in infrastructure investments through their "Field of Dreams" program. Fourteen organizations spanning the country from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador will use grants of up to $150,000 to construct or refurbish high-quality, safe spaces to provide opportunities for children and youth to learn important life skills while being active.
 
Field of Dreams is Jays Care's granting program for infrastructure projects and enables more than a dozen communities each year to refurbish, design and build safe spaces for children and youth to play baseball, develop life skills and learn from positive role models. By the end of 2016 Jays Care will have invested over $8.15 million towards the creation/refurbishment of 78 safe spaces for children and youth including 44 baseball diamonds across Canada.
 
"Jays Care is committed to providing high quality safe spaces for children and youth across Canada," said Robert Witchel, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation. "Baseball diamonds are classrooms; the life lessons children learn through playing baseball - teamwork, determination, leadership and resiliency - will serve them well as they become the leaders of tomorrow. And not all of these projects are baseball focused; Jays Care is also very proud to provide funding that will create safe spaces for marginalized children to engage with positive role models who can make a dramatic difference in their lives." 
 
The following organizations were awarded 2016 Field of Dreams Grants:
Jays Care will be accepting applications for 2017 Field of Dreams investments beginning on September 15, 2016. Applications will be available at www.jayscare.com.