He may be well known for his media accomplishments, but Toronto non-profit executive Mathieu Chantelois should also be recognized for his big heart.
As a print journalist, radio commentator and television personality, Mathieu Chantelois impacted lives by covering a wide range of social, cultural and political topics. Now the executive is touching lives through his non-profit work as the Vice President of Vice President of Development and External Affairs for Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.
Chantelois credits his team with working diligently to raise the profile of the Boys and Girls Club, while also advocating for children and youth. “That is the real strength of our Clubs,” he says, “the over 6,000 caring, trained youth development professionals who mentor kids and teens every day in more than 700 communities across Canada.”
Unfortunately, he adds, there’s still a long way to go.
One of five school children has no place to go when class lets out. “We have to work harder at fighting poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, graduation rates, gender gaps, and systematic discrimination,” Chantelois says. “A long-term investment in young people will always pay off.”
The youth of any society are the promise of the future, but our young people are growing up in a divided society with ethnic, gender and political tensions. Employment opportunities are frequently unstable and the housing market is increasingly unattainable.
One important thing all of us can do to help at-risk youth is to provide positive mentorship, Chantelois says. Yet, according to the Huffington Post, some 30 percent of youth have never had an adult mentor of any kind.
Kids from impoverished backgrounds or those with an incarcerated parent are even less likely to be mentored or have a positive adult role model.
The good news, says Chantelois, is that “69 percent of the people say the Boys and Girls Club saved their lives. Not changed their life, but saved it.”
He likes to tell youth who are struggling that Boys and Girls Clubs will open their doors to everyone—no one is turned away. “If a young person needs help, they can find it here: Everything from physical activity and homework help, to mental health support and leadership training.”
If you ask any successful person if an adult or mentor made a difference in his or her life, the answer is a resounding “yes.”
“So,” says Chantelois, “I would like to challenge you: If you’re not mentoring someone, why not? It should be part of your legacy.”
Visit a Boys and Girls Club in your community. Learn more about what they are doing to prove every kid has what it takes—and every kid matters. Then, please donate or volunteers with us. You can learn more at bgccan.com.
