Special Olympics Ontario Athletes Working for Jays Care

In addition to this full-time job, Ryan has multiple side-jobs in sports, such as coaching a junior hockey team and selling 50/50 raffle tickets at Blue Jays Games.

The Jays Care foundation is a non-profit run by the Toronto Blue Jays, which donates money towards people in need, including those with disabilities who may also be eligible to become Special Olympics athletes. Ryan said he first got the job after a friend of his—who also sold 50/50 tickets at the time—said they were looking for new sellers. A similar story was told by his fellow athlete Matthew Gierlach, who said he first heard about the job opportunity from someone he knew on his Special Olympics Toronto powerlifting team.

A Special Olympics athlete since he was a child, Matthew participates in softball, basketball, track, and powerlifting. As someone who has a gym in his home Matthew said powerlifting is his favourite, “because it keeps me going and makes my body healthy.” In his last competition, Matthew deadlifted 425lbs, and benched 225lbs.

Matthew volunteered with the 50/50 ticket sellers “to get used to it” and then applied for the paid position through a job fair held at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre. He interviewed and was hired by Jays Care to the role he worked so hard to get.

“There were a lot of people [at the job fair],” Matthew said, “so you have to be a lucky man to get a job there. Because a lot of people want to get a job now.”

Both Ryan and Matthew said they enjoy working in the Rogers Centre selling tickets during baseball season.

“We have fun times at 50/50!” Matthew said. “We get discounts, we get breaks, you sell tickets, and you keep on selling and have lots of fun.

“The Jays schedule is pretty good,” Ryan said, “you get to meet new people, make new friendships all while raising funds for a good cause.”