Building Brighter Futures: Danny Glover and Terry Sedgewick on Mentorship,Healing, and Empowering Youth
By Michelle Mollineaux
In a powerful and inspiring conversation, I had the honor of sitting down with two remarkable individuals who are making a profound difference in the lives of youth—Terry Sedgewick, Founder and CEO of Mend Canada, and Danny Glover, acclaimed actor, humanitarian, and lifelong advocate for at-risk and foster care children.
While Danny Glover is best known for his acclaimed performances on screen, his most enduring role is that of a changemaker—an advocate, mentor, and global humanitarian whose work has touched lives across generations and continents. His efforts, especially among Indigenous youth, foster children, and marginalized communities, reflect a deep belief in equity, opportunity, and the transformative power of mentorship and social justice.
Danny’s mission is deeply aligned with that of Terry Sedgewick, whose organization, Mend Canada, is dedicated to increasing sports participation and physical wellness among Indigenous youth. With a strong background as a former national-level triathlete and rugby player, Terry knows firsthand how sports can foster resilience, leadership, and self-confidence in young people. His efforts are helping to keep Indigenous youth in school by instilling critical life skills through sport.
Profiles in Purpose
Terry Sedgewick, Founder and CEO of Mend Canada, brings decades of experience in both athletics and youth mentorship. In 1995, he founded Train-X in California, an initiative that focused on making fitness, discipline, and mentorship accessible to underserved youth. In 2023, driven by a calling to support Indigenous communities in his home country, he launched Mend Canada—a nonprofit rooted in using sports and community engagement as tools for healing and empowerment.
As a child of residential school survivors, Terry brings deep personal insight into the intergenerational trauma still impacting Indigenous families today. He channels his own journey of healing into building bridges between sport, ceremony, and education—believing that sports are not just games, but life-changing tools for personal growth and long-term opportunity.
Danny Glover, while celebrated globally for his work as an actor, is equally admired for his lifelong advocacy. His background is rooted in community service, activism, and cultural leadership. Raised in San Francisco by civil rights–oriented parents who were leaders in the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women, Danny’s foundation was built on service and justice.
Throughout his career, he has amplified that legacy. In 2013, he received the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award, recognizing decades of commitment to vulnerable children worldwide. As a UNICEF Ambassador and former UN Goodwill Ambassador, Danny has championed causes addressing poverty, education, and youth development across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America. His life’s mission: to give youth a voice, a path, and a platform to succeed.
From Personal Pain to Purpose: The Birth of Mend Canada
Terry shared that the idea for Mend Canada began with an invitation to speak on Truth and Reconciliation Day in British Columbia. “I led two lives growing up,” he shared. “The one behind closed doors and the one I showed the world.”
That moment sparked something deeper—a calling to go beyond storytelling and into action. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s use of rugby to heal a divided South Africa, Terry envisioned a community-centered approach that could help build leadership and resilience from the ground up.
“We’re not trying to create elite athletes,” he emphasized. “We’re trying to instill values like teamwork, resilience, and confidence—while honoring ceremony and culture. The goal is to help kids graduate, feel proud of who they are, and see a path forward.”
Now, Mend Canada operates weekly in Indigenous communities, blending sports coaching with cultural teachings chosen by each community. The model is collaborative, respectful, and built on trust.
“Mend Canada is doing the work that
truly matters—showing up for our
youth, honoring their culture, and
helping them build the confidence to
lead. This is about more than sports;
it’s about healing, mentorship, and
giving young people the tools to shape
their own future. I’m proud to stand
with Mend Canada in this mission.”
Danny Glover: A Legacy of Leadership and Listening
Danny spoke about the formative role his parents played in shaping his values. Both postal workers and civil rights advocates, his mother and father modeled what it meant to stand for equity, justice, and community leadership.
“I watched how they conducted their lives after the war—young, Black, and determined to create something better,” Danny recalled. “They didn’t just survive—they served. And I’ve tried to carry that forward.”
From marching in the civil rights movement to supporting ethnic studies programs in universities, Danny’s activism has always centered around listening, learning, and lifting others. “It’s about imagination,” he said. “How can we become the embodiment of change in our communities? How can we help others become the architects of their own futures?”
Healing Through Sport: Addressing Generational Trauma
Terry spoke candidly about the effects of residential schools and the trauma that is still felt today. “There are two types of damage,” he said. “To the child, and to the parent who watches their child be taken. That kind of trauma doesn’t go away in a generation—it takes time and community to heal.”
He emphasized that sports carry valuable lessons beyond physical fitness. “Through mentorship, through showing up, through helping kids believe in themselves, we’re helping to heal.”
Danny added, “We all have something to give—our presence, our belief in the kids, our encouragement. We don’t show up to do the work for them. We show up to walk with them.”
What Communities Can Do
When asked what communities, organizations, and governments can do to support youth more effectively, both leaders emphasized the importance of truth, history, and imagination.
“It’s not about money,” Terry said. “It’s about truth and reconciliation. Understanding the real history—not the sanitized version—and helping youth see their future with clarity and hope.”
Danny agreed, adding, “We have to move with urgency and belief in our capacity to change things. If we invest in our communities—especially our young people—we can transform what’s possible.”
A Final Word: Invest in the Future by Investing in Youth
As the conversation drew to a close, both Terry and Danny returned to a shared belief: that youth are the foundation of everything we hope to build.
“The youth offer us hope,” Terry said. “They will shape the communities we all dream of. But we must support them—not just advocate for them. We must walk with them.”
Danny concluded with a simple, powerful truth: “If we want to shape the future, we shape the youth. We do it by showing up. We do it by example. And we never stop encouraging them to believe in their own effort.”
Closing Thoughts
This conversation with Terry Sedgewick and Danny Glover was more than an interview—it was a call to action. It reminded us that healing, growth, and opportunity begin with presence, with truth, and with belief in the next generation. Both men are examples of what it means to lead with heart, and their efforts provide a clear path forward for anyone who wants to help youth thrive.
Thank you, Terry and Danny, for your wisdom, your leadership, and your tireless work in building a brighter tomorrow.