Rings, Ropes & Raising Hope: lady boxer’s charity turns 3

Mentoring Juniors Kids Organization (MJKO) will be hosting their annual benefit to raise funds for their free programming that supports children ages 6-18 in developing self-esteem and a love for physical fitness in a safe and caring learning environment. MJKO works to get kids moving, thinking about healthy food choices, improving their self-esteem and helping them understand the value of volunteerism through non-contact boxing.

MJKO was founded by Executive Director, Miranda Kamal, who was featured on the cover of the August edition of The Bulletin. As a survivor of sexual assault at 16, Kamal took up the sport of non-contact boxing to help with the healing process. Later in life she entered the ring as a competitive boxer before sustaining a serious spine injury, not boxing related.

Unable to box again, Kamal decided to use everything she had learned to give back to the community with the establishment of MJKO with the core principals of Train, Prepare, and Believe! MJKO became a registered charity in 2010 and has operated as a volunteer-run organization under the leadership of Miranda and her husband, 8X Canadian National Boxing Champion Ibrahim Kamal. Together they lead a team that creates a safe space for all participants, including children with autism, ADHD and hearing impairments.

“We are truly blessed to have had another successful year at MJKO. This year’s benefit will support free programming and youth job skills training. Helping our students gain real job skills is a must as we fight back against the highest youth unemployment rate in Toronto’s history. We have been blown away by the support of local business owners like the Centre for Sport and Recreation Medicine, the Marquis of Granby and individual donors like Dr T. Valiante from Toronto Western. Together we are creating Community Champions,” says MJKO founder Miranda Kamal.

Rings, Ropes and Raising Hope will take place Friday, October 18, 6pm – 9pm at The Marquis of Granby located at 418 Church Street. MJKO looks forward to engaging community members for a night that will include Hors D ‘Oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction and live entertainment by local talent and MJKO students.