Toronto Argonauts Alumni Association Partner With Turning Point Youth Services

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

TORONTO – For decades, the Toronto Argonauts Football Club and its players have impacted the community through the club’s long-standing programs to promote youth wellness. Now those players, who have transitioned into retirement from the game, are continuing their commitment to the local Toronto community through an exciting new partnership between the Toronto Argonauts Alumni Association and Turning Point Youth Services.

Commented Vice President, Toronto Argonauts Alumni Association, Dan Ferrone, “As former football players, we have all come from different backgrounds and many of us have shared experiences and challenges similar to what these youth face. We have overcome obstacles and received guidance from positive role models who have helped us to achieve our life goals. We are thrilled to offer our Association an opportunity to become youth mentors and build upon the good community work that many of them began as players.” 

Turning Point Youth Services offers different levels of support to high risk, incarcerated youth and their families, in the Toronto area. Through this partnership, Toronto Argonauts player alumni will volunteer their time as youth mentors in an effort to become positive and stable role models. Alumni will work to find common ground with the youth and their families and mentorship opportunities can involve simple peer discussion and home visits, or even more structured meetings including workout sessions, football games or other pertinent interests.  

Commented Executive Director, Turning Point Youth Services, Colin Dart, “We at Turning Point are very pleased for the opportunity to engage in this partnership with the Toronto Argonauts Alumni Association to provide mentorship to youth in conflict with the law and young men who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In many situations it is often the same young person. We know through our work with these youth that many lack positive adult male role models in their lives both currently and certainly in their past. We also know that the presence of a positive adult male role model can make a major difference in the life trajectory available to young men.  Our youth look up to professional athletes – that is part of our society. This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for both organizations to help at risk youth make positive choices.”