Toronto Police Constables Julie Rowe and Leanna Gill help mentor and keep in school some 60 high-risk elementary school students as part of 43 Division’s school liaison team.

The two, in addition to Rotarian and social entrepreneur David Lockett and Toronto SickKids Director of Neuro-oncology Dr. Eric Bouffet, are being honoured on April 23 for their volunteerism with Community Heroes Awards presented by The Rotary Club of Toronto West.

“The Rotary Community Heroes Awards is a continuation of the Rotary Club’s Rotary Youth Impact Awards event that was held for 20 years,” said Community Heroes Award chair, Stephen Thiele. “We are very proud to be able to honour the four recipients for their fantastic contributions to our community, especially youth and families that face incredible challenges.”

This year’s virtual event will be hosted by CTV Queen’s Park Reporter Colin D’Mello.

Dubbed the ‘dynamic duo,’ Officers Rowe and Gill for the past six years have delivered many presentations to those from Grades 1 and 8 on topics which include community helper, safety, bullying, peer pressure, youth and the law and Internet safety.

“They have delivered their presentations to parents and teachers and have become pillars within the school system,” according to the Rotary Club. “Through their mentoring, many youth have realized their potential and have been able to make positive decisions which ultimately, indirectly changed the course of their path toward a brighter future.”

The pair have conducted follow-up school checks and have made home visits, where necessary, to connect families with numerous agencies for assistance and referrals to the 43 Division FOCUS table.

FOCUS is a community safety and well-being initiative co-led by Toronto Police, United Way and City of Toronto that aims to reduce risk, harm, and victimization, and improve well-being with support from community resources and agencies.

Lockett, who is described as a visionary, leader and true social entrepreneur has spent half of his working life volunteering to identify, design, develop and fund innovative and cost effective programs to address issues that lead to family and domestic violence, poverty and youth crime in Toronto.

He co-founded The Redwood Shelter 30 years ago and was the driving force in the building of its crisis care centre. The Redwood offers safety, healing and opportunities for growth for women and their children escaping abusive and violent environments.

Lockett is a co-founder and President of PACT and its parent organization, the Canadian Foundation for the Prevention of Family Violence. His passion, dedication and perseverance has made it possible for the charity to continue to serve thousands of underserved and at-risk youth, as well as low income and vulnerable families, individuals and seniors each year.

Under PACT’s Urban Peace Program, Lockett has helped at-risk youth referred from the courts, schools and other partner agencies across Toronto to remain crime free, to reach their potential and engage productively with their communities.

In response to the COVID pandemic, he pivoted PACT’s Grow to Learn urban farming schoolyard program to continue to feed over 350 low income individuals, families and seniors-in-need in the Lawrence Heights community and deliver 3,400 bags of produce and ready-made meals weekly from May to October 2020.

Dr. Bouffet came to Toronto’s SickKids as Director of Neuro-oncology to develop and lead a multi-disciplinary neuro-oncology program. He is the Garron Family Chair in Childhood Cancer Research, a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto and Chair of the Canadian Brain Tumour Consortium.

Dr. Bouffet is well-respected internationally and with colleagues from several countries around the world, including China, Ukraine, Malaysia-Singapore, Jordan and Pakistan, he is able to consult monthly regarding patients.

He is an avid and engaged supporter of Meagan’s Hug and its mission since 2001. As a volunteer, he is often a featured keynote speaker on behalf of the organization, and participates in its annual Walk & signature HUG, as well as other events, such as the Meagan’s Hug Crane Ceremony.

People can attend the event by making a minimum $50 donation per person. You will receive a tax receipt. You can also participate in the Club’s virtual silent auction. The donation can be made through the Rotary Club of Toronto Club website at www.rotarytorontowest.ca. The silent auction is accessible at www.biddingowl.com/RotaryClubofTorontoWest.

Proceeds from the event will be used to support paediatric brain tumour research through Meagan’s Hug, as well as programs targeting vulnerable youth to reduce harm and victimization. Funds will also help the Rotary Club of Toronto West to support local community organizations including food banks, shelters, mental health programs.

For more information, please contact Stephen Thiele at 416-559-3424.