2021 Ted Rogers Community Grants help empower thousands of youth across the Prairies, supporting our next generation of leaders

| Source: Rogers Communications Canada Inc. Rogers Communications Canada Inc.

Grants provided to community organizations in the Prairies who engage youth through mentorship, personal development, arts, counselling and leadership programs

More than $1 million in community grants awarded to 70 organizations across the Prairies since 2017

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Rogers Communications announced it has awarded Ted Rogers Community Grants to nine organizations across Prairie provinces this year who are making a difference in the lives of thousands of local youth. Through programs in mentorship, personal development, arts, counselling, and leadership, these organizations are providing critical supports to youth across the region by building confidence and pride, while helping them achieve their highest potential. Rogers is proud to have provided more than $1 million in grants to 70 organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba since the program launched in 2017.

“As organizations across our region continue to face challenges due to the pandemic, support from Ted Rogers Community grants are helping them provide critical programs for youth in our communities,” said Larry Goerzen, President of Alberta and Prairies Region, Rogers Communications. “This year, that support is more important than ever before, and we are proud to help the next generation of youth achieve their dreams and potential.”

Organizations receiving Ted Rogers Community grants this year include:

"At 5th on 5th Youth Services, we strive to help youth to become capable, caring and contributing members of our community,” said Trevor Brown, Executive Director, 5th on 5th Youth Services. “The value of this grant will go beyond this year and will continue to benefit many youth for years to come!"

For LGBTQ2S+ youth, navigating adolescence can be particularly difficult, according to a 2019 federal report, which showed many face bullying at school or feel they need to conceal their identities from family. Rogers grants to organizations like the Rainbow Resource Centre in Winnipeg help provide a safe and positive space for LGBTQ2S+ youth to celebrate their identity, reduce isolation, and build social connections.

“With the support of the Ted Rogers Community Grant, Rainbow Resource Centre’s Youth Program has been able to pivot to online programming,” said Noreen Mian, Executor Director, Rainbow Resource Centre. “By continuing to offer our programing we can ensure that 2SLGBTQ+ youth feel safe, supported and connected to their peers and community.”

Since 2017, Rogers has also provided more than $470,000 in Ted Rogers Scholarships to 75 Prairie youth attending post-secondary education – many from our community grants partners - with 75% of community recipients from the Class of 2020 nationally from BIPOC communities.

Supporting youth through grants, together with Ted Rogers Scholarships, is one of the key ways Rogers is committed to working in partnership with communities to help meet critical needs of our residents and neighbours. Other community programs include Connected for Success, which offers affordable Internet to bridge the digital divide. During the pandemic, Rogers has provided thousands of devices and plans as digital lifelines to women’s shelters, and to youth organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada to keep youth connected to mentors. In partnership with the Jays Care Foundation and Food Banks Canada, the company also provided 9 million meals through donations and food hampers for food banks across the country as part of Step Up to the Plate. This year, in honour of its 60th birthday and as part of The 60 Project, the Rogers team stepped up with a record number of volunteer hours to help make Canada stronger, together.

About Rogers
Rogers is a proud Canadian company dedicated to making more possible for Canadians each and every day. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first radio station, CHFI, in 1960. We have grown to become a leading technology and media company that strives to provide the very best in wireless, residential, sports, and media to Canadians and Canadian businesses. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). If you want to find out more about us, visit about.rogers.com.

For more information:
Rogers Communications, media@rci.rogers.com, 1-844-226-1338