Grantees
The PS43 Foundation’s Grantee Program empowers community organizations through trust-based funding and resource partnerships, ensuring they have the support needed to deliver impactful programming for beneficiaries, while reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to amplifying the efforts of organizations already making a meaningful difference in their communities.
Camera for Kids
The PS43 Foundation has partnered with The Click Photography for a special initiative aimed at inspiring youth to keep dreaming and reaching for their goals. Through a generous donation of time and talent, Pascal, alongside The Click Photography team, captured powerful moments that highlight the strength and potential of young people in the community.
This collaboration celebrates the importance of mentorship, perseverance, and self-belief, with the hope of motivating the next generation to pursue their dreams, no matter the challenges they may face. The photos will serve as a lasting reminder for the youth that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
Holland Bloorview
Pascal Siakam and the PS43 Foundation Canada get set to put smiles on the faces of children at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital with safe visits from the NBA champion himself and support to the hospital’s efforts in creating a world of possibility for children and youth no matter the barriers they face.The Bloorview School Authority, located onsite at the hospital, is an educational facility that provides innovative school programs for children and youth with disabilities. The relationship between the PS43 Foundation Canada and Holland Bloorview advances the foundation’s vision of a generation of dreamers where children feel empowered to become anything they want to be through the power of education.
Holland Bloorview Hospital and the PS43 Foundation set a Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of People Wearing Capes
Mathletes
The Kickback partnered with Pascal Siakam’s PS43 Foundation to launch an innovative six-week program aimed at helping students aged 13-16 learn math through the lens of sports. With support from Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach Eric Khoury and Mr. Dontoh, the program connects mathematical concepts with real-life situations, offering students the opportunity to explore the subject in an engaging and relevant way.
The program’s goals include:
- Helping students make connections between math concepts and real-world scenarios, both inside and outside the classroom.
- Empowering students to apply mathematical skills to issues that are relevant to their daily lives.
- Encouraging a positive attitude toward math, increasing confidence, and finding enjoyment in the subject.
- Promoting healthy relationships and effective communication through mathematical collaboration.
The program also addresses broader issues in education, such as the biases inherent in standardized testing, which disproportionately affect low-income and racialized students. These tests often fail to predict success in post-secondary education and can perpetuate gaps in academic achievement. Research has shown that racialized students, including Black and Indigenous students, often face biases in evaluations, especially when it comes to social-emotional learning.
By incorporating anti-racism into math education, the program provides students with context on how math intersects with real-life applications, like athletics, and encourages equity in the learning process. It’s designed to give students a chance to see the value of math beyond the classroom and help level the playing field by addressing systemic barriers to academic success.
This initiative is a step toward using sports as a tool for learning while fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment for marginalized students in Ontario.
Alexander Park Court
On September 19, 2023, the Alexandra Park community in downtown Toronto celebrated the grand reopening of a newly renovated basketball court, the result of a collaborative effort between several organizations. The project, aimed at improving sports facilities and fostering community engagement, was driven by Their Opportunity, the PS43 Foundation, the John Tavares Foundation, Tridel, Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), and the Alexandra Park Community Centre (APCC).
The event featured youth from the community participating in activities with professional athletes, including NBA star Pascal Siakam and NHL captain John Tavares. Key speakers included Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, TCHC and APCC leaders, and representatives from Tridel and Their Opportunity.
The court renovation included a new playing surface, basketball poles, and hoops, addressing the community’s need for better recreational facilities. The project was inspired by feedback from local residents and supported by Tridel, which funded the renovation with help from trades, suppliers, and other organizations.
Efforts are now underway to fund the renovation of a second court, designed as a multi-use space with a mural by artist Jessey (PHADE) Pacho. This is part of a broader revitalization of Alexandra Park, which aims to rebuild aging housing, create new condos, and enhance community amenities like parks and childcare centers. This project exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives and partnerships to improve the lives of residents and strengthen neighborhood ties.
Human IT + VISA
The digital divide remains a significant global issue, with approximately 3 billion people lacking access to high-speed internet, and 41% of the population not owning a computer. In Canada, about 24% of Canadians report little to no engagement with digital technologies. This issue disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and people of color, limiting their access to opportunities in education, employment, and economic participation. Closing the digital divide is vital for enhancing societal engagement, career prospects, and supporting the resilience of small businesses.
To address this challenge, Visa has partnered with Human-I-T, an organization focused on providing digital literacy and access to underserved communities in North America, and the PS43 Foundation. The joint initiative, the Digital Empowerment Program, aims to bridge the digital divide by offering access to technology, digital education, and support to communities with low digital adoption.
The program launched in Toronto, with initial funding to distribute 400 Chromebooks to eligible individuals and families. In addition to receiving a computer, participants will gain digital literacy training, financial literacy education, and one year of tech support. This comprehensive approach is designed to empower individuals and families by equipping them with the skills and resources necessary to fully engage with technology and its benefits.
Firehood Summit
The PS43 Foundation partnered with The Firehood Summit on their annual summit that hosts 100 young girls ages 9 to 13. Attendees will meet and learn from some of the most successful businesswomen in Canada, who have made a positive impact in the technology industry. This event is part of The Firehood’s goal to increase the participation, leadership and prosperity of women in technology.
Founded in 2021, The Firehood started out as a collective of professional women who saw the opportunity to break down barriers women faced when starting, growing and scaling businesses in sectors focused on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).
The Firehood was established in response to support women in Canada to increase their participation, leadership and prosperity in the tech ecosystem. Today, The Firehood is a national movement community of executive and entrepreneurial women in technology and offers women professional development, networking, mentorship, jobs and funding opportunities.
ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency x RIght to Play
Pascal Siakam and the PS43 Foundation made a special appearance at the ENAGB Youth Agency (East Neighbourhoods Association of Greater Toronto) to share his personal story, inspire the next generation of leaders, and give back to the community. This visit was part of Siakam’s ongoing commitment to uplifting youth and empowering them to pursue their dreams, no matter their background.
During his time at ENAGB, Siakam spoke candidly about his journey from Cameroon to the NBA, highlighting the challenges he faced, including adapting to a new culture, overcoming setbacks, and staying focused on his goals. He shared valuable lessons on perseverance, the importance of education, and the power of believing in oneself.
In addition to offering motivational words, Siakam also spent time engaging with the youth, answering their questions, and providing mentorship. He encouraged them to use their talents to positively impact their communities and to always seek out opportunities for growth and learning.
Siakam’s visit was not only about inspiring the youth, but also about giving back to the community that supported him throughout his journey. As a part of his foundation’s ongoing initiatives, Siakam emphasized the importance of mentorship, community service, and using one’s platform to create change.
The event was a memorable experience for the young people of ENAGB, many of whom were inspired by Siakam’s story of hard work, dedication, and giving back. Through his words and presence, Pascal Siakam reinforced the importance of community and encouraged the youth to dream big and work tirelessly toward achieving their aspirations.
École Secondaire Catholique
Pascal Siakam organized a heartwarming give-back event at École Secondaire Catholique, with the goal of inspiring and motivating students to keep working hard and pursue their big dreams. The event was a celebration of the season and a reminder to the youth that they have the potential to achieve greatness, no matter where they come from.
During the event, Siakam shared his personal journey from growing up in Cameroon to becoming an NBA star with the Toronto Raptors. He spoke candidly about the obstacles he faced, the importance of perseverance, and the value of education and hard work.
Pascal’s message to the youth was clear: they are capable of achieving their dreams, and with determination, resilience, and a positive mindset, they can overcome any obstacles in their path.
The Christmas give-back event was a huge success, leaving a lasting impact on the students at École Secondaire Catholique, who walked away feeling empowered and motivated to continue working hard, pursuing their passions, and believing in themselves.
