- $500,000 grant will support MLSE LaunchPad's educational programs -

TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Rogers and MLSE LaunchPad are teaming up to help more kids in the Moss Park community reach their full potential. Announced today, Rogers will invest $500,000 over the next five years ($100,000 annually) into North America's first Sport for Development facility, MLSE LaunchPad. The donation will support its Ready for School programs which will give Moss Park youth access to the innovative educational programming provided at MLSE LaunchPad's downtown facility.

This announcement was made at MLSE LaunchPad with over 100 youth in attendance.

"Rogers is committed to helping youth in the Toronto community reach their full potential and MLSE LaunchPad is the perfect teammate to help us make this commitment a reality," said Peter King, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Rogers. "We want to ensure that MLSE LaunchPad's Ready for School programs can continue to inspire and motivate our youth for years to come."

MLSE LaunchPad believes that by teaching life skills through sport, youth can build a foundation that increases their academic success. Through Rogers' support of MLSE LaunchPad's Ready For School pillar, youth have the opportunity to participate in programs that promote academic engagement and positive attitudes towards school while being physically active.

"We are incredibly grateful for Rogers' generous investment into MLSE LaunchPad's Ready for School programming.  This partnership will provide the resources required to deliver innovative programs to the many youth benefitting from our facility," said Tanya Mruck, Executive Director of MLSE LaunchPad. "This partnership is an example of Rogers and MLSE LaunchPad giving together for the future of learning."

The partnership with MLSE LaunchPad is part of Rogers' commitment to giving together with partners in our communities to help youth reach their full potential. In 2017, Rogers launched the Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund which provided 150 scholarships to youth leaders across Canada as well as 65 grants to community organizations that provide educational programming for youth. For more on the Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund and additional Rogers community initiatives, http://about.rogers.com.

About Rogers
Rogers is a leading diversified Canadian communications and media company.  We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:  RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

About MLSE LaunchPad
MLSE LaunchPad is a 42,000 sq ft Sport For Development facility where youth facing barriers use sport to recognize and reach their potential. Supported by MLSE's professional sports teams- the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto FC, it is the first facility of its kind in North America. As a collaborative space promoting social change by leveraging sport, education and research, programming is focused on four pillars: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Ready for School and Ready for Work

SOURCE MLSE Foundation

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