MJKO Boxing

Change…

❤️

After 18 years, one of the biggest decisions we've ever made at MJKO is finally one I can share.

At the end of December 2026, MJKO will close our permanent full-time facility in South Parkdale.

But this is **not** the end of MJKO.

In 2027, we're going back to our roots—bringing our programs directly into schools, community organizations and the places where young people already are, while maintaining a weekly home in Parkdale.

Over the past 18 years, we've learned that some of our greatest impact was never created within the four walls of a boxing gym. It was created by showing up week after week, building relationships that lasted years, and watching young people grow into volunteers, employees, mentors, leaders and community champions themselves.

This newsletter is probably one of the most personal things I've written about MJKO because it explains **why** we're making this change, shares the incredible story of two young girls who grew up with MJKO, and gives our community a transparent look at what lies ahead—including Parkdale, Jamaica, our equipment donations and the next chapter of our charity.

I'd love for you to read the full story.

Continue reading here: https://createsend.com/t/y-69098B971ED148E02540EF23F30FEDED

🥊 This National Coaches Week, I’m celebrating the phenomenal team that kept MJKO moving forward while I was away.

Coach Andrew b, a four-time national champion for Sri Lanka, has led our programs with experience, commitment and heart.

Coach Kuthula_king @ joined MJKO at 10 years old and is now essential to our daily operations. Without him stepping up, MJKO would have had to close.

Coach damon fabrizi has been with us since he was about 12. Quiet but powerful, he shows our kids what discipline and a true work ethic look like.

Coach Susan Pfundt brings inclusion, compassion and a genuine desire to see and support every child as a whole person.

Coach db and I started helping teach boxing together in our twenties. He may officially be a volunteer, but his contribution to MJKO is integral.

Coach Mychaela joined MJKO in Grade 4 and has come full circle—from student to volunteer, employee and first-time project lead. This summer, she also returned to lead a coding class.

Coach dan🍋 joined us around age nine or ten and has remained connected to MJKO for a decade. A multi-sport coach and fearless athlete, she worked with us from May through the summer.

I’m especially proud to recognize Susan, Mychaela and Danielle. Women remain underrepresented in coaching—particularly in boxing—and young girls need to see women leading in sport.

To our entire team: thank you for showing up for our kids, our community and for me. MJKO would not still be standing without you.

Miranda & Ibrahim ❤️

WomenInCoachin@

MJKO’s summer coding program was a huge hit!

Led by past Mentoring Juniors Kids Organization (MJKO Boxing) student Mychaela Tran the program gave our young people an opportunity to explore technology, develop new skills and discover what they are capable of creating. As you can tell from the smiles on their faces, they had a blast!

We wrapped up the program with a wonderful celebration that also included our boxing students—because at MJKO, we have always been about much more than boxing.

Our goal is to create a safe and inclusive space where young people can build confidence, develop leadership skills, experience positive mentorship and explore different opportunities. Whether a child’s passion is in sports, the arts or the sciences, we want to help them discover it and believe in where it might take them.

A very special thank-you to Meridian Credit Union at King and Shaw, Jacqueline and her team, and the Good Neighbour Grant for making this project possible.

I am incredibly proud of our entire team—and especially proud of Mychaela. She wrote the grant, led the program, managed the funding, purchased the supplies and snacks, and brought the whole project to life. This was her first opportunity in a project management role, and she absolutely killed it!

Watching a former MJKO student step into leadership and create new opportunities for the next generation is what MJKO is all about.

Coach Andrew b holding things down at MJKO with Mychaela Kuthula db assisting in the fun.

MJKO has been using the proven power of non-contact boxing to create social change for almost 17 years. 🥊❤️

A huge thank you to everyone who continues to support us and believe in what we do. Most importantly, thank you to the kids and youth who keep showing up, week after week, building leadership skills, teamwork, communication, confidence, and so much more.

It’s especially rewarding to see the older youth who have come through our entire program now becoming leaders themselves — and even joining our team as employees. That’s what community looks like. ❤️

A special thank you to Dave and Sonia for always making sure the kids have snacks! 🍎🥪

And of course, we are incredibly grateful to the Robert Kirk Foundation, Graham Burton Foundation for supporting MJKO over the past few years and helping us continue this work.

17 years of showing up, building relationships, creating opportunities, and using boxing as a tool for positive change. 🥊💪❤️

Non stop action with Coach Andrew b 👏👏👏👏

Saturday Vibes.

Another fun day of learning at MJKO.

This past Saturday, we were so happy to welcome back one of our former MJKO athletes, Stephanie, who volunteered with us for the day.

Stephanie also brought along her service dog, Saint, who was an absolute superstar. 💙🐾

Steph shares with our athletes about what a service dog is, why Saint is working, and the importance of always asking permission before approaching or petting a working dog. The kids were incredibly respectful, curious, and eager to learn.

As you can see from the photos, Saint settled right in and our athletes had a wonderful opportunity to learn about accessibility, inclusion, and respect in a hands-on way.

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing both your time and Saint with our MJKO family. We loved having you back, and we hope to see you both again soon!

BoxingFamily 💙🥊🐕

🥊 Saturday Summer Classes are officially underway! ☀️

What a fantastic start to the summer! Our athletes kicked off the day with boxing, working on footwork, technique, and fitness before transitioning into coding, where they challenged their minds and built new skills.

At MJKO, we believe in developing the whole person—strong bodies, strong minds, and strong futures.

A huge thank you to our incredible coaches, volunteers, and mentors who give their time and energy to make programs like this possible. Your commitment creates opportunities that extend far beyond the boxing ring.

Here’s to an amazing summer of learning, growing, and building community together! ❤️🥊💻

CommunityChampions BuildingFutures TheBestInBoxing