Like many of you, I have seen and experienced the power of education to transform lives and enrich our country. Like most of you, several of the successes I have enjoyed in my life spring directly from the high-quality schooling I received. And perhaps like some of you, I was a poor, small-town boy who was able to attend a great institution of higher learning as a result of the generosity of others, and then take advantage of that opportunity to strike out on a fulfilling career.
I sometimes think about where fate would have taken me if I were not afforded this help, this opportunity. It would be easy to say I did not have much in the way of material possessions or access to powerful networks, but what I did have made all the difference in my ability to succeed. Such as the feeling of belonging in my community, supports for my well-being and mental health, and assistance in navigating complex bureaucratic systems.
These supports, in tandem with education, are paramount to the success of a young person in Canada. And while I firmly believe we are one of the greatest countries in the world, an equity of opportunity is not granted to all our young people. Every year, Canadian youth slip through the cracks. Through no fault of their own, they are forgotten, mistreated and left without care, support and mentorship. It is then, in my mind, the responsibility of those who have enjoyed the access to, and the opportunity of privilege to pay it forward. Not a handout, a hand up.
As we reflect at this time of year on the blessings in each of our lives, we also have the opportunity to think about how we give back. When you support Operation Come Home, you are not only supporting individual young people in need, you are helping to foster an environment of empathy and investment in the future of this country. Please join my wife Sharon and me in supporting this most worthy organization and give the gift of a brighter future.
– David Johnston