Our impact
Removing barriers to opportunity
Urban Squash removes barriers to opportunity for Toronto’s youth by combining squash, academic support and mentorship. Watch our 2025 impact video to see it in action.
Our approach
What sets us apart
Urban Squash recruits students as early as Grade 6 and asks families to commit through Grade 12 and beyond, allowing staff to support students across critical academic, personal and developmental milestones rather than through one-off interventions.
Urban Squash uniquely combines daily academic support, squash training, mentorship, nutritious meals, transportation and family engagement into one cohesive program, removing multiple barriers at once instead of addressing challenges in isolation.
Through individualized Pathways planning and the Squash the Barriers Scholarship, every student has a clear, supported route to college, university or the trades, backed by financial support that ensures cost is not a limiting factor.
Program breakdown
What we do
At no cost to families, Urban Squash offers six weekly academic and athletic sessions through after-school and weekend programming. Students are provided transportation to and from our facilities in Downsview Park and Scarborough, receive nutritious meals, and participate in a structured program that blends academic support, squash training and mentorship.
Students also access:
- Tutoring and academic guidance
- Field trips and cultural experiences
- Career and workplace readiness workshops
- Participation in Squash Ontario and U.S. tournaments
Why it matters
Closing the opportunity gap
Our goal is for 100% of Urban Squash students to graduate high school and pursue a post-secondary pathway of their choice. We have consistently maintained a 100% high school graduation rate, and 93% of our students have gone on to post-secondary education, helping close the opportunity gap in our community.
Students benefit from:
- Consistent, long-term support from Grade 6 through high school graduation
- Trusted relationships with staff mentors who understand their academic and personal needs
- Clear post-secondary planning through individualized Pathways guidance
- Reduced financial barriers through access to scholarships and post-secondary supports
How students benefit
Skills for school and beyond
Through consistent support and meaningful opportunities, Urban Squash helps students develop the skills, confidence and stability needed to succeed in school and beyond.
Students receive tutoring, mentoring and workshops that strengthen learning habits, improve grades and increase school engagement.
Through squash, academic support and mentorship, students build leadership, discipline, time management, confidence and resilience skills.
Field trips, volunteering and tournaments help students build responsibility, strengthen social connections and feel rooted in their community.
Regular squash and fitness activities support physical and mental well-being by building strength, reducing stress and improving self-esteem.
Our network
Part of the Squash + Education Alliance
The Squash + Education Alliance (SEA) launches and leads youth programs that combine squash, academics, mentoring, travel, post-secondary support and career readiness.
Through this partnership, our program is connected to a broader network of urban squash organizations across North America. While students participate in select SEA opportunities, such as team and individual championships and occasional cross-border events, the primary value is the ongoing sharing of best practices, program models and student development strategies. This collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality programming in a Canadian context.
