Yesterday Rowan House hosted their "Breakfast With the Guys" at the Okotoks Best Western to kickstart Family Violence Prevention Month.

The event was held on November 2nd at the Okotoks Best Western and was the first of multiple planned initiatives during the month.

Former Calgary Stampeder Keon Raymond spoke at the event about his personal experience with family violence.

Raymond says he feels he has a duty to use his platform to educate people and make a change.

"We all have a mission and a calling in life. And to say that mine was just football... in all actuality that just wasn't who I was as a person. Those experiences for me, growing up having to experience domestic violence, you tend to understand you were given this platform for a reason. Who do you use your voice with this platform?"

He added that he is always excited to see younger people taking an interest in preventing family violence and bullying.

"I commend you young adults stepping up. Thing don't change until young people get on board, that's God's honest truth. When young people decide to get on board and be like "this is something we're gonna change," it changes!"

Raymond has worked with Alberta Council of Women's Shelters for four years and has talked to audiences in small towns all across Alberta.

 

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com