The W.O.R.K.S. Little League was awarded $22,500, funding that will go towards the league’s

Challenger Division, a venue for children with special needs to play baseball. The check comes from state funds secured by Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar. She presented the league with the check on Saturday, July 30, for its 2022 Awards Luncheon at the Deshi Senior Center in Ozone Park.

“Because of Assemblywoman 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.”

W.O.R.K.S. is an acronym for Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens and South Ozone Park — the neighborhoods that the league serves. It operates four divisions for children ages 4 through 18. The league was founded in 1958, and its Challenger Division, was the first of its kind in New York City.

“I have personally witnessed how W.O.R.K.S. Little League changes the lives of special needs

children in my district, and have been honored to throw some pitches at their games,” said Assemblywoman Rajkumar. “I am so 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.”

At the ceremony, Rajkumar also presented proclamations to two volunteer coaches for the Challenger Division, Laura Latham and Jash Boodrham.

“This is such a beautiful proclamation,” said Latham. “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.”

“I thank Assemblywoman Rajkumar for this honor,” said Boodrham. “As a coach, this award is my 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.”

Baseball, Rajkumar noted, is a key aspect of Queens, citing the Mets and their recent victory

over the Yankees as part of the culture that the borough has cultivated towards success in the sport.

“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,” Rajkumar said. “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.”

Article courtesy BQE Media. Reproduced with permission.