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Donor Spotlight: Shannon Morgan - A Decade of Impact

This season of new beginnings, we’re proud to shine a light on someone who has been at the heart of the Pinball Foundation community for over a decade, Shannon Morgan. Shannon is more than a supporter, she is a dedicated volunteer, advocate, and friend of the Foundation. Her unwavering commitment has helped shape the lives of countless youth, and her belief in our mission continues to inspire those around her. In her own words: “The Pinball Foundation is truly one-of-a-kind.

11 minutes ago2 min read

Zoomer Magazine: Playing it Forward

Michael "Pinball" and Diane Clemons are building a legacy for their family and for young people in the community who need a "hand up" By Suzane Boyd Photography Chris Nicholls Published March 31st, 2026 Halfway through our cover shoot, Michael "Pinball" Clemons - who, with his wife, Diane, had been laughing, dancing and generally being a good and patient sport - remarked out of the blue: "Every day above ground shows potential." Well amen to that, as everyone within earshot s

2 days ago11 min read

Celebrating Women Who Uplift Women: A Look Back at “Give Her Flowers”

International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the strength, resilience, and achievements of women across the globe. At the Pinball Foundation, this celebration extends far beyond a single day - it’s a commitment we carry all year long. On March 2nd, that commitment came to life through Give Her Flowers, a special gathering held at Smeg Toronto. The event brought together an inspiring group of women, from executives to students in our PinballBURSARY program, for an afternoo

Mar 311 min read

Sunday Smash: More Than Just Training

Sundays are for grit, guts, and grind. In the lead-up to the annual Victory Gala, Oakville Boxing Academy lights up Sunday mornings with Sunday Smash. Every other week, our fighters come together not just to train, but to connect, push limits, and stay accountable. Sunday Smash is more than just a workout—it's where the journey takes shape. It's where the community shows up. Family, friends, and supporters are invited to be part of the action, standing in their boxer's corne

Mar 311 min read

PinballACCELERATOR’s Biggest Cohort Yet: Fast-Tracking Futures in Just 3 Weeks

On March 9th, a new group of motivated young people took a big step toward their futures by joining the PinballACCELERATOR cohort. Just under three weeks later, on March 27th, they crossed the finish line equipped with new skills, stronger confidence, and a clearer path into meaningful employment. PinballACCELERATOR is more than just a training program. It’s an intensive, fast-track career readiness experience designed specifically for youth aged 18–29 who are ready to transi

PinballACCELERATOR

Mar 311 min read

Welcome PinballNEXT Ambassadors!

We’re excited to introduce the newest PinballNEXT Ambassadors , proud alumni of the Pinball Foundation. Having previously participated in our programs, they bring a unique perspective shaped by firsthand experience, growth, and a deep connection to the mission of empowering the next generation of changemakers. As a PinballNEXT Ambassador, they now step into a leadership role, giving back to the community that helped shape their journey while inspiring current and future parti

PinballNEXT

Mar 206 min read

Plant A Seed by Maxine Amaiah Taylor

Clarity and conviction, married and abundant, Their unflinching extended palms, Truly, a gentle balm softens Years, Of unheard “we are here! We are here!”’s. They ask “Who are you?” and “Who will you be?” Suffocated by hand-me-down patterns? Or Will you set yourself free? Three strikes you’re out, Ten strikes your gold Flip the script as you’re playing Change the game Not your soul. Spare no expense in trying. Strive for greatness. Glory. Legacy. Strive! You have four hands a

Feb 251 min read

Corporate Connect at KPMG Toronto: Empowering PinballNEXT Alumni

The Foundation had an incredible experience attending Corporate Connect at KPMG’s Toronto office, an exclusive opportunity created for our students and alumni to engage directly with industry professionals. The afternoon began with a keynote address from Brandy Ryan, Director of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, followed by a Campus Recruitment overview presented by Sav Campbell-Sharma and Andrea Govedarica. Attendees also gained valuable insights during a Black Professionals N

Feb 202 min read

NBA Foundation Supports the Pinball Foundation in Inspiring Young Innovators

Written By: Gino Giacomini, Director of Partnerships. The National Basketball Association (NBA) Foundation announced its latest round of grant making today, continuing its mission to expand economic opportunity and workforce pathways for young people in under-resourced communities across the country. We are honoured to share that the Pinball Foundation has been selected as a recipient of the NBA Foundation Round 16 Grants, supporting programs that champion creative futures an

Feb 91 min read

Honouring BHM and Celebrating 20 Years of Pinball Foundation with "Legacy Lift-off"

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Pinball Foundation, Legacy Lift-off honours the powerful journey of Black Canadians. This one-of-a-kind experience brought together visionary leaders and changemakers for an unforgettable visit to Pier 21 — Canada’s historic gateway. On February 3rd, 2026, guests embarked on an exclusive one-day chartered flight from Toronto to Halifax, tracing the footsteps of Black Canadian history and paying tribute to the stories that have shape

Feb 31 min read

Journey's Through Mentorship: Self-Awareness

Written by Mert Uraz, a new student in the PinballBURSARY program. She started her first semester at University of Ottawa studying Biomedical Science. Accountability is not just about keeping promises; it is about being aware of how our choices go out into the world around us. At our recent meeting, we explored how self-awareness shapes accountability, reminding us that every action we take is influenced by our emotions, thought patterns, and current state of mind. Being s

Mentorship Session Diaries

Nov 21, 20251 min read

Pinball Foundation Welcomes Gino Giacomini as Director of Philanthropy

We are excited to welcome our new Director of Philanthropy to the Pinball Foundation family. With his expertise and experience, we are confident he will be an invaluable addition to our team. MEET GINO GIACOMINI! Gino Giacomini is the new Director of Philanthropy at the Pinball Foundation, where he focuses on building meaningful relationships with donors and corporate partners to grow the Foundation’s reach and impact. Bringing over two decades of leadership experience at Tor

Oct 2, 20251 min read