Jane and Finch community provides scholarships for 2 teens

Two Toronto teenagers are receiving scholarships thanks to a community dedicated to remembering the lives of their two friends who were killed two years ago in a double homicide.

The Jane and Finch neighbourhood held a vigil at the residence of the one of the shooting victims a day after holding a basketball fundraiser to raise money for the financial aid.

The scholarships are only possible thanks to the hard work of the community. Residents began raising money for these scholarships in April. The funds were handed out at a memorial basketball game over the weekend that was held to remember two victims of the August, 2013 deadly shootings.

That's when O'She Doyles-Whyte, 16, and his friend Kwame Duodu, 15, were found suffering from gunshot wounds. They were shot in broad daylight at a northern Toronto housing complex. People who knew the two teens quickly expressed their sympathies on social media.

Police have yet to find the three suspects in connection to the double homicide but the investigation continues. They say the two boys were not the intended targets of the shootings.

"It just opens your eyes," said Stephanie Whyte, the mother of the murdered 16 year old.

Since then, the community has used the incident as a rallying cry to encourage young residents to pursue the scholarship, established in honour of the deceased boys. Each is worth $500 and is intended to build a legacy for the two teens killed.

"It means a lot bringing the community together," said Whyte.

The fundraiser and scholarships have brought neighbourhood residents together and established a legacy to remember the two boys. It's also helping Whyte overcome the heartbreaking incident.

"[It] makes you appreciate every day even more," she said. "Appreciate everyone that's in your life."

Those interested in the scholarships must prove their intentions to attend university, show transcripts to prove they're doing well in school, have no involvement with gangs and be actively engaged in their Jane and Finch community where they must reside.

Both winning recipients are going to attend nearby York University. They were also friends with the two murdered teens. Malique Reid, 18, is taking media performance and design, while Patreka Brown, 18, is an honours student with a goal of getting a masters degree in teaching.