The Kids, Cops & Computersprogram provides brand-new laptops, software, Internet connections (if required) and police officer mentorship to students living in at-risk areas of Toronto. Kids, Cops & Computerspositively impacts academic grades, community involvement, and self-esteem of students. This 6-year program provides kids with the tools and mentoring to make positive life choices and ensures they are “digitally connected.”
Click here to donate and enrich lives. For every $50 donated your name will be entered in a draw for one of two adventures with the Toronto Police Service—spend time with the Emergency Task Force Unit or explore TPS’ Marine and Mounted Units. You will also receive a $25 gift card to Quinn’s Steakhouse and Irish Bar for your donation of $100 or more. Download our pledge sheetand have friends and family support our cause too
School's almost out for the summer and now is the time to go and enjoy all that Toronto has to offer. That's why we've compiled a list of the city's top 5 attractions that you can visit during your two-month break from school!
CN Tower
Standing at 1815 feet high, the CN tower is surely Toronto's most recognizable landmark. You will feel like you are on top of the world when you're standing on the tower's two observation levels. Don't forget to stand on the Glass Floor section, and enjoy a clear view 148 stories down.
Toronto Island
Put visiting the island on your things-to-do list this summer. Ride the ferry to get to the islands (three small connected islands) and enjoy the Centreville Amusement Park, which has over 30 rides and games. There are bike rentals, wading pools, tennis, volleyball and supervised beaches.
Royal Ontario Museum
The ROM is Canada's largest museum of world culture and history. Whether you're there to see the dinosaur, mummy or rock minerals display the museum's artifacts are bound to 'Wow' you and keep you entertained.
Ontario Place
Have some summer fun at Ontario Place. Play mini golf, go on helicopter rides and enjoy the super slide, drop tower and foam-ball play zone while at the park. Best part there are lots of pricing options available - you can pay as you play, play all day, or get a family rate.
Toronto Zoo
With 6 miles of walking trails, Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world. It's a half hour drive from the city and can be reached by public transit. With its award winning African Savanna, Gorilla Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef it's no wonder that the Toronto Zoo attracts over 1 million visitors a year!
By: Isha R. recipient of a $1,500 Good Citizen Scholarship from the Kids, Cops & Computers program.
Five years ago, I was sitting in your seats; I was a grade 7 student, and I had just completed my first year in the Kids Cops and Computers Program. If you had asked me when I was in grade 7, to predict where I would be in five years, never would I have said, up on this stage, giving a speech, accepting an award. So when I look back to see what happened between grade 7 and grade 12 that made me who I am today, I find that the answer is this: I volunteered. I volunteered my time to help better my school, my community, and at the same time, it helped to better myself. Today, I would like to share with you three of my volunteer experiences and how they helped shaped me as a person. In the summer of grade 9, I got involved with an organization called Community Matters Toronto, a group that contributes to a strong neighbourhood culture by helping people with housing, finances, and other social issues. That summer, I was part of a team that helped to keep one of our local swimming pools open. That experience taught me one of the most important things about volunteering: it helps foster a positive environment and strengthens the community. When you give up a portion of your time to make someone else’s life a little bit better, you show that you care, and these interactions build relationships, which lead to a better community.
The second experience is when I volunteered to be a Coordinator for my school’s Fashion Show for charity. As a Coordinator, I helped organize and promote the event, and choreographed scenes of the Show. It taught me another important aspect of volunteering: it is an excellent way to learn or develop new skills. As a Coordinator, I developed my passion for event planning and communicating with people. It was a challenging role, inspired creativity, and I got to meet many other interesting students.
For the past three years, I have been a member of the St. James Town Youth Council. We are a youth group who identify and address community issues. Last summer, we took on an initiative called KidPacks. KidPacks were backpacks filled with school supplies for children in our community whose families were not able to afford these items. Being involved with KidPacks taught me the importance of time management, has taught me empathy, and made me more open-minded. Volunteering with the Council helped me to emerge not only as a volunteer, but also as a community leader.
Having volunteered over 900 hours of my time, I can definitely say that volunteering is well worth it. I challenge each and every one of you here today to find some that sparks your interest. Find a volunteering activity that motivates you and makes you want to take action. Life is what you make of it, and the same goes for volunteering. You should volunteer not because you have to, but because you want to. Volunteering should be fun, and should teach you things you cannot learn in a classroom.
I wish all of you students here today the very best of luck in your academic and volunteering futures. I encourage you to get out there! Be proactive and dare to show enthusiasm for your passions. Volunteer, and make a difference!
Don Drummond recently spoke to 24 supporters of the Kids, Cops & Computers program during an exclusive fundraising luncheon hosted by Wildeboer Dellelce in support of Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation.
The luncheon, limited to 24 seats, sold out quickly and with G. Scott Paterson matching ticket sales, the event raised more than $10,000 (net) for the Kids, Cops & Computers program.
“We are very grateful to all who attended and to Wildeboer Dellelce LLP for hosting the event and looking after the lunch. Special kudos to Scott Paterson who matched every ticket sold, resulting in the luncheon funding 20 new students next school year,” said Clayton Shold, Executive Director, Merry Go Round Children's Foundation.
During the lunch, Drummond, the co-chair of the C.D. Howe Institute’s Fiscal and Tax Competitiveness Council, spoke about the Ontario budget. He noted improvements still need to be made on the efficiency agenda at the federal, provincial and local government levels. Drummond said much of the focus in media coverage and then subsequently in the Ontario Budget was on specific actions to produce certain fiscal savings, however less attention has been paid to the call for dramatically reforming how public services are designed and delivered.
100% percent of the funds raised went to the Kids, Cops & Computers program.
Follow your dreams, visualize your goals and make a difference, that was the message at Inspiration 2012 - Kids, Cops & Computers' end of year celebration. The event, held May 31 at the Toronto International Celebration church, recognized the achievements of the 300 Grade 7 students on the Program this year.
Melissa Grelo and Gurdeep Ahluwalia did an amazing job co-emceeing the event, which brought together leaders in policing, entertainment and technology.
Farley Flex, former Canadian Idol Judge, talked to the students about the importance of being resilient towards the obstacles that may come ones way. Resilience, he told the kids, is one of the key steps to success. To watch the full speech, click here. Marc Saltzman, tech guru and journalist, shared a similar message. Saltzman spoke about having the perseverance to follow you dreams and not allowing people to bring you down. Click here to watch Marc's speech. Melissa Grelo, CP24 Morning Show co-host also had an impactful message to share with the kids. Melissa talked about visualizing your life goals and dreams. To watch Melissa's speech, click here.
School's almost out for the summer and now is the time to go and enjoy all that Toronto has to offer. That's why we've compiled a list of the city's top 5 attractions that you can visit during your two-month break from school!
Follow your dreams, visualize your goals and make a difference, that was the message at Inspiration 2012 - Kids, Cops & Computers' end of year celebration. The event, held May 31 at the Toronto International Celebration church, recognized the achievements of the 300 Grade 7 students on the Program this year. 
