Ahead of the Toronto Raptors’ matchup against the Miami Heat on Thursday, CityNews had the opportunity to speak with forward Chris Boucher.
The Raptors entered the night with a challenging record on the road, having secured just one win in their first 11 away games.
However, while the team has faced its share of struggles on the court, Boucher continues to make a significant impact off of it through his non-profit organization, the Slimm Duck Foundation.
The Slimm Duck Foundation, established by Boucher, is dedicated to providing meaningful athletic opportunities for youth and underserved communities in Canada. This year, the foundation’s efforts have grown remarkably, with a range of impactful events and initiatives.
Reflecting on the foundation’s growth, Boucher shared, “It’s been a long time coming. I think when we first started we had a lot of plans but we didn’t know how we were going to get to it. I think a lot of people came and helped us, so that helped out a lot. But just seeing the results, I think, made us want to do more and seeing it all come to fruition feels really good.”
One of the foundation’s highlights this year was an event in Montreal ahead of the Raptors’ preseason game in October. The Slimm Duck Foundation supported 100 youth through a free basketball clinic, providing them with skills development and mentorship. Additionally this year, the foundation hosted a fundraiser called “A Night of Laughter” and awarded its annual Slimm Duck Scholarship, which supports one student of Caribbean descent enrolled in Ryerson University’s Spanning the Gaps.
Join esteemed leaders in mental health and sports from the @Raptors, @UWGreaterTO, @KidsHelpPhone & @CMHAToronto virtually for MINDFULL: A Mental Health Conversation hosted by the SlimmDuck Foundation on Thursday, May 9 at 2PM ET.
RSVP: https://t.co/sDdMSN9ay2 pic.twitter.com/jDsLvvQcHe
— SlimmDuck Foundation (@SlimmDuckFdn) May 2, 2024
In May, in honor of Mental Health Week in Canada, the Slimm Duck Foundation hosted a MINDFULL conversation, emphasizing the importance of mental health in sports and community services.
Boucher explained, “When you talk about mental health, I think there are different ways to affect it. I think at a young age it’s kind of hard sometimes when you have nobody to talk to or whatever the situation might be. So we are trying to be a door for them and also just give them opportunities to talk about their mental health.
“I think mental health can be impacted in different ways and I think the easier you make the path for them, the more open they will be to talk about it. That really is what it is about, and I think we are doing a really good job getting involved – with the parents, the community, and the people who work with the kids – just so everyone knows that we are there to help.”
Wishing our founder, @chrisboucher, a happy birthday! This past summer, Chris and his mother traveled to his home country of Saint Lucia to provide back to school items for youth. Chris, we are continuously inspired by your dedication to supporting underserved communities. pic.twitter.com/ABlDoR5trM
— SlimmDuck Foundation (@SlimmDuckFdn) January 11, 2024
Looking ahead, Boucher’s vision for 2025 is ambitious.
“We are trying to get the opportunities to be bigger; we are trying to impact more people. Hopefully, we can get to a point where we can help entire families. We are doing a really good job with families with a single child or parents, or kids who need a scholarship opportunity, but we want to help the parents also because they are doing a really good job,” he said.
Boucher’s personal journey also fuels this goal. “I had a mom that had to move over here (from St. Lucia) and she had nothing. So we want to know what the parents need and what to expect to kind of get that path going. We’re trying to find ways to help out like that or help with parents who are immigrants because I know it’s not an easy path,” he added.
In the summer of 2023, Boucher and his mother returned to his home country of Saint Lucia, where they provided back-to-school supplies for youth in need. The initiative underscores the global reach of the Slimm Duck Foundation and Boucher’s dedication to giving back to the communities that shaped him.
Beyond philanthropy, Boucher has also embraced his role as a mentor for fellow players from Quebec. Eugene Omoruyi and Quincy Guerrier, who currently play for the Raptors 905, have benefited from Boucher’s guidance.
“It feels good,” Boucher said of his impact. “I worked out with them all summer. We played 5-on-5 all summer, and Quincy stayed at my house all summer, so it felt good to be with them, and it worked out with him signing with the 905. For all of us to get better – I think we always wished to be able to do this. It feels good seeing them excel with the 905 and doing what they are supposed to do.”
While the Raptors continue to strive for consistency on the road, Chris Boucher’s contributions off the court serve as a reminder of the power of giving back. Through the Slimm Duck Foundation, Boucher is creating lasting change in communities and empowering youth to reach their full potential.
