Profile: Sam Egonu – Founder and Executive Director 180 Change Street

Sam Egonu – Founder and Executive Director 180 Change Street. PHOTO/CBC

Sam Egonu is the founder and Executive Director of of the Toronto youth program 180 Change Street.

180 Change Street, founded in 2008, is a transitional program dedicated to inspiring positive change in “at risk” youth who are incarcerated or in conflict with the law. The program tackles recidivism by equipping the participants with valuable life skills in a positive atmosphere that encourages personal growth and self improvement.

Egonu conceived the idea while incarcerated to help not only himself, but how he could prevent other young people from getting involved in crime.

“Youth changing their lives has to do with education, or them getting access to education to increase their options in life, to let them make better decisions,” Egonu says.

Over 700 youth in Toronto have benefitted from the 180 Change Street program, with many being enrolled in the local colleges and Universities.

Under Egonu’s stewardship, the organization has since won the mayor’s 2010 Toronto Community Safety Award, and continues to win recognition for its’ effectiveness in helping youth make the right choices.

More information about Sam Egonu and his 180 Change Street can be obtained from these sources: CBC and stolen from Africa.