Helps bridge gap between youth and police

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• Historic Fort York David Spittal courtesy murmur.com
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When he's not building condo complexes, Forest Hill developer David Feldman makes a point of building community.

Feldman, the president and CEO of Camrost-Felcorp, recently hosted a garden party at his home, raising funds and awareness for ProAction Cops and Kids, an organization that offers athletic, cultural, educational and leadership activities that pair Toronto police officers and youth in at-risk neighbourhoods.

Feldman has been an active supporter of ProAction for the past three years as part of his ongoing efforts to give back to the various communities across Toronto.

"The program gives police officers who are role models an opportunity to get involved in the community and shows kids that there are alternatives to living under (negative) circumstances," he said. "It gives kids at risk opportunities that they would not have."

Feldman knows first-hand the importance of getting those opportunities. When he moved to Toronto from his native England, he lived in public housing until he was able to find his footing. Now that he has become successful in his chosen field, he has turned his attention to ensuring that others do not fall through the cracks.

"I've built across the GTA and been involved in different communities over the years, so I know there's a need across the city," he said. "This is an organization that allows all communities in Toronto to have access to the funds and programs they need."

ProAction brings police together with youth to help create a liaison between the two groups. Police officers bring forth ideas based on their own interests and volunteer their time coaching, teaching and interacting with youth in at-risk communities. The partnerships range from basketball, soccer, hockey and cricket to arts and music to mentoring and leadership programs.

"There have been a number of success stories with kids going on to university and earning scholarships," Feldman said.

Feldman's garden party, in which he hosted various Toronto business leaders, raised $77,000 for ProAction. More importantly, however, it raised the profile of the organization among others who can help make a difference.

"It made other people in the business community aware of the program and I've always believed in the concept that the business community - corporations and multinationals as well as local businesses and banks - should give back," he said.

ProAction Spokesperson Meredith Hopper said the program has made a big difference, not just in the lives of participating youth, but in terms of overall relations between police and the communities they serve.

"We had nine or 10 officers start up a Regent Park football program and volunteer 1,500 hours of their time last year to make it work," she said. "It's great for the kids and it's great for the officers, who look to their own interests in suggesting a program."

Since its inception in 1991, ProAction has funded 750 police-led community programs to almost 280,000 youth across Toronto. The program has expanded into Durham Region and will soon expand into Peel Region.