Uber, MLSE LaunchPad Announce Youth Advisory Council Partnership
MLSE LaunchPad is proud to announce Uber as the new presenting sponsor for the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a committee of passionate young individuals ages 15-24 who are motivated by helping youth reach their full potential through sport, physical activity and community engagement.
Being part of the YAC means actively contributing to the MLSE LaunchPad community by championing a youth-first approach. Members help shape programs and policies, bring events to life for youth and families, and play a key role in creating a positive and impactful space — and so much more.
"At Uber, we believe access to movement unlocks opportunity, and we saw a natural alignment with YAC’s mission of empowering youth voices,” said Laura Miller, Head of Public Policy and Communications at Uber Canada.
“By providing rideshare and delivery support, we’re helping remove barriers so young leaders can fully participate, shape their communities, and share their stories. Our commitment to social impact is rooted in our core values - working as one team, embracing diversity, and doing the right thing, period. Through our partnership with the YAC and MLSE Foundation, those values come to life as we stand alongside young people who are building confidence, inspiring others, and driving lasting change."
"We saw a natural alignment with YAC’s mission of empowering youth voices"
The YAC is entering its ninth season, continuing its mission to empower and amplify youth voices. Each year, a committee chair and two executive members are appointed to lead this effort. The new YAC chair, Patricia Anizeris, represents the youth perspective at MLSE Foundation board meetings by ensuring that young voices are included in key conversations about programming and community impact.
“It’s important for youth voices to be at the table during important conversations surrounding youth programming and community because they are the ones experiencing, and ultimately benefiting from it,” said Patricia. “The YAC is significant in this sense because it allows for youth voices to be at the forefront of the conversations, having real youth representing the thoughts and desires of them and their peers.”
“Midnight Basketball brings a lot of communities together"
One thing that makes MLSE LaunchPad such a special place is its deep-rooted connection to the surrounding community. For many, like YAC executive member Lyla, who grew up in the neighbourhood, being part of MLSE LaunchPad is much more than participation—it's a meaningful way to give back to the place they call home.
“Overall, as a lead coach and YAC member, becoming a leader at MLSE Launchpad gives me the opportunity to pour the same energy back into the community that built me,” said Lyla.
“From supporting with our winter clothing drive that served hundreds in our community, to creating my ‘All Around Asia’ event for Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I've realized that no voice or effort is wasted or unseen. The YAC gives me the opportunity to share my passions, hold space for meaningful moments, and understand that my voice has volume, maybe not always in sound, but definitely in impact.”
"Becoming a leader at MLSE Launchpad gives me the opportunity to pour the same energy back into the community that built me"
Opened in 2017 and located in Toronto’s urban centre of Moss Park, MLSE LaunchPad is a 42,000sq ft space that serves as an ambitious ‘living lab’ to explore and measure how sport can help improve the lives of youth. Sport For Development is a specific methodology supported by extensive research that suggests the intentional use of sport and physical activity can build healthy communities and help young people reach their full potential.
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MLSE LaunchPad is proud to announce Uber as the new presenting sponsor for the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a committee of passionate young individuals ages 15-24 who are motivated by helping youth reach their full potential through sport, physical activity and community engagement.
Being part of the YAC means actively contributing to the MLSE LaunchPad community by championing a youth-first approach. Members help shape programs and policies, bring events to life for youth and families, and play a key role in creating a positive and impactful space — and so much more.
"At Uber, we believe access to movement unlocks opportunity, and we saw a natural alignment with YAC’s mission of empowering youth voices,” said Laura Miller, Head of Public Policy and Communications at Uber Canada.
“By providing rideshare and delivery support, we’re helping remove barriers so young leaders can fully participate, shape their communities, and share their stories. Our commitment to social impact is rooted in our core values - working as one team, embracing diversity, and doing the right thing, period. Through our partnership with the YAC and MLSE Foundation, those values come to life as we stand alongside young people who are building confidence, inspiring others, and driving lasting change."
"We saw a natural alignment with YAC’s mission of empowering youth voices"
The YAC is entering its ninth season, continuing its mission to empower and amplify youth voices. Each year, a committee chair and two executive members are appointed to lead this effort. The new YAC chair, Patricia Anizeris, represents the youth perspective at MLSE Foundation board meetings by ensuring that young voices are included in key conversations about programming and community impact.
“It’s important for youth voices to be at the table during important conversations surrounding youth programming and community because they are the ones experiencing, and ultimately benefiting from it,” said Patricia. “The YAC is significant in this sense because it allows for youth voices to be at the forefront of the conversations, having real youth representing the thoughts and desires of them and their peers.”
“It’s important for youth voices to be at the table during important conversations surrounding youth programming and community...
One thing that makes MLSE LaunchPad such a special place is its deep-rooted connection to the surrounding community. For many, like YAC executive member Lyla, who grew up in the neighbourhood, being part of MLSE LaunchPad is much more than participation—it's a meaningful way to give back to the place they call home.
“Overall, as a lead coach and YAC member, becoming a leader at MLSE Launchpad gives me the opportunity to pour the same energy back into the community that built me,” said Lyla.
“From supporting with our winter clothing drive that served hundreds in our community, to creating my ‘All Around Asia’ event for Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I've realized that no voice or effort is wasted or unseen. The YAC gives me the opportunity to share my passions, hold space for meaningful moments, and understand that my voice has volume, maybe not always in sound, but definitely in impact.”
"Becoming a leader at MLSE Launchpad gives me the opportunity to pour the same energy back into the community that built me"
Opened in 2017 and located in Toronto’s urban centre of Moss Park, MLSE LaunchPad is a 42,000sq ft space that serves as an ambitious ‘living lab’ to explore and measure how sport can help improve the lives of youth. Sport For Development is a specific methodology supported by extensive research that suggests the intentional use of sport and physical activity can build healthy communities and help young people reach their full potential.
MORE STORIES
MLSE LaunchPad is proud to announce Uber as the new presenting sponsor for the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a committee of passionate young individuals ages 15-24 who are motivated by helping youth reach their full potential through sport, physical activity and community engagement.
Being part of the YAC means actively contributing to the MLSE LaunchPad community by championing a youth-first approach. Members help shape programs and policies, bring events to life for youth and families, and play a key role in creating a positive and impactful space — and so much more.
"At Uber, we believe access to movement unlocks opportunity, and we saw a natural alignment with YAC’s mission of empowering youth voices,” said Laura Miller, Head of Public Policy and Communications at Uber Canada.
“By providing rideshare and delivery support, we’re helping remove barriers so young leaders can fully participate, shape their communities, and share their stories. Our commitment to social impact is rooted in our core values - working as one team, embracing diversity, and doing the right thing, period. Through our partnership with the YAC and MLSE Foundation, those values come to life as we stand alongside young people who are building confidence, inspiring others, and driving lasting change."
Laura Miller
The YAC is entering its ninth season, continuing its mission to empower and amplify youth voices. Each year, a committee chair and two executive members are appointed to lead this effort. The new YAC chair, Patricia Anizeris, represents the youth perspective at MLSE Foundation board meetings by ensuring that young voices are included in key conversations about programming and community impact.
“It’s important for youth voices to be at the table during important conversations surrounding youth programming and community because they are the ones experiencing, and ultimately benefiting from it,” said Patricia. “The YAC is significant in this sense because it allows for youth voices to be at the forefront of the conversations, having real youth representing the thoughts and desires of them and their peers.”
Patricia, YAC Chair
One thing that makes MLSE LaunchPad such a special place is its deep-rooted connection to the surrounding community. For many, like YAC executive member Lyla, who grew up in the neighbourhood, being part of MLSE LaunchPad is much more than participation—it's a meaningful way to give back to the place they call home.
“Overall, as a lead coach and YAC member, becoming a leader at MLSE Launchpad gives me the opportunity to pour the same energy back into the community that built me,” said Lyla.
“From supporting with our winter clothing drive that served hundreds in our community, to creating my ‘All Around Asia’ event for Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I've realized that no voice or effort is wasted or unseen. The YAC gives me the opportunity to share my passions, hold space for meaningful moments, and understand that my voice has volume, maybe not always in sound, but definitely in impact.”
Lyla, YAC Executive
Opened in 2017 and located in Toronto’s urban centre of Moss Park, MLSE LaunchPad is a 42,000sq ft space that serves as an ambitious ‘living lab’ to explore and measure how sport can help improve the lives of youth. Sport For Development is a specific methodology supported by extensive research that suggests the intentional use of sport and physical activity can build healthy communities and help young people reach their full potential.
