Holiday for a Hero!

Robert Turner, our local hero, has served the Richmond/San Pablo community for 33 years as a Peer Conflict Mediator  trainer for the West Contra Costa School District and a youth mentor.  In his career, Mr. Turner has mentored thousands of youth and helped make our community a safer, more inspirational place to be.  When you ask a student at Helms Middle School, "Who can you turn to when you need help?" most of them say "Mr. Turner." When asked what keeps him so inspired and dedicated to help youth in need Mr. Turner replied:  "What if that was me?" 

As the founder of 21st Century Mentors which collaborates with the T. K. Kelly foundation, Mr. Turner takes middle school students on Saturday trips to broaden their horizons as well as teach them the realities of life so they make good choices for themselves.  They attend trips to the snow, the morgue, feed the homeless, and visit San Quentin Prison.   One child described the importance of their trips: "When I went to the coroner's office I (thought) why should I be in gangs...my uncle got killed and my friend got killed...I always hear gunshots when I sleep...I love my life and I don't want to die because of gangs. I want to be living a full fun experience and be happy."

Robert Turner has given so much for others and never asks for anything in return, we would like an opportunity to say thank you by sending him on a trip of a lifetime. (somewhere tropical).  Heroes never fully retire but they deserve to be celebrated. Please consider helping fund this trip maybe because he has helped you when you needed him or because he inspires you to always see the good in others.  There never was a person more deserving. Thank you!!