(April 3, 2008) -- Raptors forward Jason Kapono, the Raptors Foundation and Raptors Season Seat Holders Jawad and Sharon Rathore unveiled a newly refurbished Raptors Learning and Resource Centre at St. Albans/Jane and Finch Boys and Girls Club Thursday.

Located at Jane and Finch, the 1,000 square-foot space owned by Toronto Community Housing was allocated to house a Boys and Girls Club facility to support the additional needs of the community.

The $20,000 month-long renovations resulted in significant improvements to the facility including painting, installation of a kitchen and storage-area, new furnishings, as well as the purchase of computers, educational material and software. All of the renovations were completed by the Raptors Foundation and Community Development staff who donated their time to the project.

“I’m proud to have supported the Raptors Learning and Resource Centre,” said Kapono. “It’s a great legacy project that will benefit the kids in the community for many years to come.”

The Raptors have been long-standing community citizens demonstrating a strong commitment to at-risk youth and charities supporting similar causes. Since the team’s inception in 1995 the Raptors have remained near the forefront of many hot button social issues debated in the public forum such as youth self-esteem, literacy, access and opportunities to sports and education.

The Raptors and the Raptors Foundation are committed to community leadership initiatives and donating much needed funds to charitable organizations that support creating a better Toronto. Projects, such as building basketball courts, playgrounds and reading centres including Toronto’s Cornell and Woolner Parks have given community youth a safe environment to have fun, learn and develop.

The Raptors Foundation is dedicated to assisting registered charities across Ontario that strive to better the lives of young people. Since its inception in 1995, the Raptors Foundation has raised and dispersed more than $16 million and has reached out to more than 5,000 youth-at-risk charities. For more information, visit www.raptors.com.