Sportspay Foundation recently donated a pair of Toronto Blue Jays tickets to the Youth Network at the FCJ Refugee Centre.

The FCJ Refugee Centre has been serving refugees and others at risk due to their immigration status for 35 years, offering services ranging from settlement support and legal referrals to counselling and public education. Within that broader mission, the FCJ Youth Network stands out as a vibrant, youth-led program that has supported newcomers for the past 14 years.

Open to youth aged 13 to 30 — regardless of immigration status, gender identity, language, or background — the program creates an inclusive and welcoming space for young people navigating life in Canada.

The tickets were awarded by Centre staff to two Youth Network members in recognition of their hard work, dedication, and ongoing commitment to the program. Both are active participants who regularly attend sessions, volunteer their time, and enthusiastically support workshops and community initiatives.

For both youth, the outing marked a memorable day of firsts: their first live baseball game and their first professional sporting event in Canada.

They were thrilled by the experience and shared frequent updates with the FCJ Youth Network group chat throughout the game, sending score updates, photos, and excited messages from the stadium.

Although the Blue Jays were unable to secure a win that day, the experience itself was unforgettable. Nothing could dampen the group’s excitement about attending a home game in their new home country.