A stock-broker during the day and a full-time dad and HEROS volunteer, Terron Falk has a full and busy life. Terron’s been with HEROS since its early days and while his position has changed – from the chairman of the organization and now chairman emeritus and helping secure funding for the program – one thing that hasn’t changed is how passionate he is about HEROS. “It was just seeing the kids and the successes – to this day I keep in touch with kids that were in the very first program. They’re on their way to becoming lawyers and doctors and professionals and just good people. That’s what keeps you going.”
While Terron loves hockey, he truly believes that hockey isn’t the sole focus of the program – it’s simply a means to provide kids an attractive alternative and a way to reach them. Terron explained, “That’s when you begin to have a dialogue…. They’re willing to hear your message which is, hey, let’s strive for something, let’s help your mom out, let’s be good to your brother, let’s strive for something more. They listen.” The growth the participants have when they first begin HEROS to after is “profound.”
A key asset of HEROS is the volunteers themselves because of “the potential they have to effect change.” Volunteers showing up every practice, every season – the kids take notice and realize that, “somebody cared about me.” Terron believes, “at-risk kids need continuous support from people that will not let them down like everyone else in their life.”HEROS isn’t just there for the kids during ice-time, HEROS is there for these kids throughout their development and can be counted on. Terron described that for some of the kids partaking in HEROS means just being able to be a kid, often for the first time in their lives, “they come in and people care about them and care about their lives and you know, that’s a first.”
Terron thinks that “throwing money” at situations isn’t an effective way to support kids and HEROS’ approach effectively supports those kids. Many HEROS volunteers describe the program as unique because when you donate to HEROS it’s going directly back to the program and the impact that it has to help the kids turn their lives around. Another way that he supports HEROS is through CIBC’s Miracle Day, which contributes to numerous children’s charities. On that day, Terron donates his commissions to HEROS and encourages his colleagues and firm to do the same. Terron truly believes that HEROS is not only changing kids’ lives, but also saving them. “Getting into the guts of problem is the only way you’re going to affect real change.”