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Former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy speaks at DCAFS fundraiser

May 12, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy was at Caledon’s ski lodge, speaking at Dufferin Child and Family Service’s (DCAFS) for their new fundraising luncheon, Building Better Tomorrows.

The luncheon, held last Wednesday (May 3), is an event in support of Dufferin Children’s Fund, the main fundraising arm for DCAFS, which has three main priorities: Youth Futures (supporting youth in their educational pursuits and life goals); Social growth/Development (assisting youth to get involved with art, music or sports); and Health and Wellness (assisting children and families with purchasing medical devices).

Mr. Kennedy, who played 10 years in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames, from 1989-1999, went public in 1996 about being a victim of sexual abuse by Graham James, his junior league coach.

He serves as a spokesperson with the Canadian Red Cross for violence and abuse prevention programs. In 2013, he was appointed the lead director of the Calgary Child Advocacy Centre, at a ceremony hosted by then Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which was renamed the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre.

In 2006 he released his autobiography, “Why I Didn’t Say Anything – The Sheldon Kennedy Story,” revealing the impact on him, and battles with drug and alcohol addictions.

In an interview with the Citizen, Mr. Kennedy said systems with legislative power must communicate on this issue. “We focus on the incident that’s happened, and we forget about the impact.”

Jennifer Moore, DCAFS’s executive director, said they wanted to do this luncheon for sometime, and when looking for a guest speaker, Sheldon’s name kept coming up. “The work that he does in Calgary just really resonates so much with what we try to do at (DCAFS) all the time.”

Mr. Kennedy said he was happy to speak, because “It’s absolutely critical that we come at it as a community approach, that we’re working together, that we create that confidence to be able to deal with these issues head on.”

He explained his advocacy the past 20 years has been to push for legislative change; show research, paint a picture, speak to others, empower bystanders and give them tools to recognize what’s wrong.

“We need to be able to create a consistent model of practice amongst the agencies.”

Ms. Moore said she admires what Sheldon is doing and speaking about his challenges, as several children at DCAFS have gone through what he has, and funds raised can better educate the community. “If we have people who are healthy, connected, able to give back, then we all benefit from that.”

Asked about the book and title, Kennedy said, “I really tried to answer that question as best I could,” but can relate to others because the impact is very consistent. He added the first step to healing is telling someone.

He mentioned his advocacy is “basically my life,” and finds this more rewarding than playing hockey, but is grateful for the NHL, as he wouldn’t have as big of a platform.

“Even though we’re connected in hockey, we’re connected in a different way… the game has a critical role in developing great people, great kids.”

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