Walker has been giving back to his adopted home in many ways, including work at important local organizations like Wyndham House and the Welcome In Drop In Centre at Loyola House. And what he’s learned over the years is making a difference for many struggling Guelphites of all ages.

“That was meaningful to me and got me started with football,” Walker says of the desire to be part of something bigger. “More and more, I found myself in leadership positions. I fit into that role, being someone who wants to help. It changed my perspective and helped me be more of a patient person.

“That’s what I bring, that patience and that experience of working with a multitude of different people, where I can still express myself. I take pride in showing my true self whenever I can.”

Walker quickly made a name for himself in Guelph. The Sociology major began his university career in 2015 and earned his way on to the OUA All-Rookie Team during the Gryphons’ historic Yates Cup season. Walker would suit up for four years before finishing school in the winter of 2019. With the cleats and pads hung up, he wanted to continue work that began during his time as an undergrad, being in environments where he could mentor people in obvious need.

Walker began working at Wyndham House part-time while still a student at U of G. The main objective of the shelter is to prevent, reduce, and end youth homelessness. Walker had that necessary experience helping others, not just in his own household but also through involvement in the university’s Student-Athlete Mentor Program and the Gryphon Leadership Academy. He attended workshops and learned the strategies required to identify and communicate with people in search of a hand.

When that training is paired with his empathetic nature, the impact Walker can have on people becomes obvious.

“It stuck with me in building connections with people,” he says. “That made it easier to transition into the work world, knowing that you have to build a connection slowly. It becomes natural. When you build a connection with one person, others pick up on that.”

A definitive moment in Walker’s undergrad experience came when working at the Avalon Treatment Program, a Guelph-based organization also with a focus on youth. Walker heard about the opportunity through Doug Pflug, a decorated local police officer and mentor to many Gryphon Football players.

“I was proud that Elijah took on this role,” says Pflug, a former Guelph player and now a community liaison for the program. “He truly cares about these kids and what they may have experienced. He has utilized lessons learned from his own experiences and platform as a student-athlete to coach, counsel, and mentor these youth.

“I’m sure Elijah will one day run into one of these young people and truly learn of the impacts his acts of kindness had in assisting them.”

Like it has for many people, the past year has been a whirlwind for Walker. He had his role at Wyndham House and then was offered a full-time position at the Supportive Recovery Room, a crisis prevention program that was a collaboration between several local organizations. But when the pandemic hit, funding was reallocated and Walker has since moved on to the Welcome In Drop In Centre, while keeping his job at Wyndham House.

It’s a busy time for him but he relishes the opportunity to build trusting relationships with the people he encounters, especially the young ones. Walker admits it’s hard to wrap his head around the fact that a teenager could face a life without a roof over their head. It’s hard to even imagine.

“You bring it home with you sometimes,” he says. “You have to talk it out with those close to you.

“We all grow up with our share of dysfunction and loss, like anybody. You carry that in your life. Many of us have experienced stress, like that first year in university. It feels like a whole different world with the responsibility, demands in class, your sport, and socially.

“You’re coming from a place where you had support to being more on your own. Everybody who has been through that experience can attest that it’s hard. Something gives, whether you’re sacrificing grades a little or social time or something else. That transition is a struggle.

“But it’s given me perspective because that’s one year as opposed to the huge challenges facing these kids.”

Walker’s immediate plans are to stay in Guelph and keep helping those marginalized in the community. He wants to eventually pursue a Master’s in Social Work to add to that already impressive tool kit he possesses.

And Walker is enjoying living in the city where he had great times playing the sport he still loves.

“I’ll never forget waking up with the aches,” Walker says with a laugh. “But I miss it. I miss playing, the experience of taking the time to prepare for a big game and then competing in it.”

He’s still getting his fix watching football and following some friends playing at the college level in the United States. Walker is also in regular contact with many of his old Guelph teammates, like Royce Metchie, Akeem Knowles, and Tristan Doughlin, to name a few.

“It’s almost like nothing’s changed sometimes,” says Walker. “The friends I made through Gryphon Football have stuck, without even thinking about it.”

That makes sense for someone who has always valued being part of a team.

Written By: David Dicenzo