State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar presented a $22,500 check to the W.O.R.K.S. Little League during its 2022 Awards Luncheon at the Deshi Senior Center in Ozone Park on Saturday, July 30.
The funding will go toward the league’s Challenger Division, a venue for children with special needs to play baseball.
Founded in 1958, W.O.R.K.S. Little League serves children in Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens and South Ozone Park. The league operates four divisions for children ages 4 through 18. Its Challenger Division was the first of its kind in New York City.
“Because of Rajkumar, we will provide children of all needs with a supportive environment to live their dream of being a baseball star,” said League President Walter Chaluisant Jr. “In our league, we foster citizenship, good character and cooperation, and the assemblywoman gives us the resources we need to do exactly that. This is only one of the many things I see her doing for us when she is out and about in south Queens. To put it in baseball terms, she is the MVP of serving the community.”
Rajkumar also presented proclamations to Laura Lathan and Jash Boodrham, two women who are volunteer coaches for the Challenger Division.
“This is such a beautiful proclamation,” said Latham, who is also a special education teacher. “My work for children with special needs is a reward in itself, but for Assemblywoman Rajkumar to honor me like this is its own joy. I love knowing that the whole community appreciates my work.”
According to Boodrham, as a coach, the award is her induction into the Hall of Fame.
“We are lucky to have a representative who recognizes the work that everyone does to help the community. More than this proclamation, I am just as thankful and appreciative that the Assemblywoman is providing us funds so we can continue our work uplifting children with special needs,” Boodrham said.
Rajkumar said she is proud to have secured state funding for the league to continue its work and to honor two inspiring coaches dedicated to teaching special needs kids baseball.
“I have personally witnessed how W.O.R.K.S. Little League changes the lives of special needs children in my district, and I have been honored to throw some pitches at their games,” Rajkumar said. “As the Mets proved this week with their sweep of the Subway Series, the ‘World’s Borough’ is home to the world’s best baseball. One cornerstone of our baseball scene is W.O.R.K.S. Little League, the world champions of providing a safe, supportive environment for young people to grow, train, make friends and just have fun.”
