TORONTO, ON (November 4, 2025) – In February, The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) announced that Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams was appointed as an AAU Sports Ambassador, and Williams quickly got to work by bringing the Shooting For Peace program to many different school districts. 

The latest stop for the Shooting For Peace program was in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as Williams partnered with the Peel District School Board to provide students across the Greater Toronto area with invaluable resources and a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience from an NBA star. 

Shooting For Peace is a financial literacy workshop that feature discussions with professional athletes, full learning workshops, and a celebrity basketball game. On November 1, NBA legend and former Toronto Raptor, Jerome “JYD” Williams, was joined by former Raptor Matt “The Red Rocket” Bonner to provide a panel discussions with professional athletes and industry leaders on financial literacy and pathways to the future of work. Hundreds of PDSB students also got to watch a high-energy celebrity basketball game featuring the two former Toronto Raptor stars. 

“As the Global Sports Ambassador for the AAU, it’s truly remarkable to connect with youth all over the world,” said Jerome Williams, AAU Sports Ambassador. “Having grown my mission here in Toronto, it is an honor to partner with Peel District School Board. With the support of our partners like the Raptors, NBA Canada, and the technology of Swiirl, we're able to scale this impact in a way we've only dreamed of, ensuring every student has the opportunity to play their role and build a brighter future."

The Shooting for Peace tour is a celebration of community, collaboration, and the power of investing in the next generation. Through the program, students are able to gain free access to world-class financial literacy. 

To go along with the panel discussions, celebrity basketball game, and the Chalk Talk session with Wiliams, students also received a copy of Williams’ book, R.O.L.E. Player. The book is all about passing on wisdom through life lessons and strategies on success, encouraging readers to maximize opportunities in life by embracing the “Junkyard Dog Mentality.”

Read more about the Shooting For Peace event in Toronto here. 

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ABOUT THE AAU:

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is the largest, non-profit, event-driven multi-sports organizations in the country. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by nearly 1,000,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts annually. For more information, visit www.aausports.org. 

About Shooting for Peace:

 
Shooting for Peace is a global youth empowerment organization founded by NBA Legend Jerome "JYD" Williams. It is dedicated to promoting financial literacy, mental wellness, and community engagement through the power of sport.

About Peel District School Board:

Peel District School Board (PDSB) is a diverse board that serves 148,000 students in 262 schools across Brampton, Caledon, and Mississauga. PDSB is the second largest school board in Canada as well as the largest employer in Peel Region. Learn more at www.peelschools.org.