TWPETC

MEET OUR FOUNDER & CEO

Kenroy Wilson

Founder & CEO | Entrepreneur | Community Advocate | Youth Mentor

Turning Personal Adversity Into Opportunity, Hope, and Lasting Community Impact.

MEET OUR FOUNDER & CEO

Kenroy Wilson

Founder & CEO | Entrepreneur | Community Advocate | Youth Mentor

Turning Personal Adversity Into Opportunity, Hope, and Lasting Community Impact.

A Personal Journey That Inspired a Mission

Kenroy Wilson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Wilson Project Employment and Training Centre, a Canadian nonprofit organization established in 2010 in loving memory of his father, Ralph Wilson.

Kenroy’s commitment to helping others is deeply rooted in his own life experiences.

During his teenage years, Kenroy experienced the devastating loss of his father, who was murdered. This tragedy became a defining moment in his life, presenting challenges that could have led him down a very different path.

However, through the intervention, encouragement, and guidance of individuals who recognized his potential, Kenroy experienced firsthand the transformative power of positive mentorship, compassion, and community support.

Those relationships helped him navigate an extremely difficult period and inspired a lifelong commitment to ensuring that other young people facing adversity would have access to similar opportunities.

In 2010, he transformed that commitment into action by establishing The Wilson Project Employment and Training Centre.

The organization was founded on a powerful belief:

“Just Because You Lose A Life, Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Save One.”

For Kenroy, these words are more than a slogan. They represent the personal experiences, values, and purpose that continue to guide his work.

A Commitment to Youth Mentorship and Employment

As a licensed mechanic, entrepreneur, and experienced professional across multiple industries, Kenroy has dedicated considerable time and resources to helping young people discover their potential.

Through The Wilson Project, he has created connections between youth, businesses, employers, and community organizations, helping participants gain practical experience, develop essential workplace skills, and pursue meaningful employment.

His involvement has extended across several industries, including automotive services, gold mining, carpentry, electrical trades, forestry, catering, and hospitality.

Kenroy has personally worked alongside young people in several of these industries, sharing practical knowledge, providing encouragement, and helping them understand the importance of responsibility, workplace safety, teamwork, professionalism, and perseverance.

Through mentorship, employment connections, and practical support, 15 young people have successfully secured employment in their respective fields and continue working in those industries today.

Kenroy believes that mentorship should extend beyond advice. It should provide individuals with opportunities to learn, grow, gain confidence, and build sustainable futures.

Entrepreneurship and Community Partnerships

Kenroy’s entrepreneurial background has played an important role in supporting The Wilson Project’s mission.

As the owner of Ken Co’s Car Care, a privately owned automotive business established in Ajax, Ontario, he helped create opportunities for local youth to gain hands-on experience in the automotive industry.

Ken Co’s Car Care became The Wilson Project’s first and longest-standing community business partner and continues to support the organization’s mission.

Through this partnership, young people have benefited from automotive training, workplace exposure, mentorship, and opportunities to develop practical skills.

Kenroy’s professional involvement in mining, catering, hospitality, and other industries has further expanded his ability to connect young people with employment opportunities and meaningful workplace experiences.

His approach reflects a belief that businesses can play an important role in strengthening communities by investing time, knowledge, resources, and opportunities in the next generation.

Community Leadership, Safety and Volunteerism

Beyond his entrepreneurial and mentorship activities, Kenroy has a longstanding history of community involvement, volunteerism, and public safety advocacy throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Durham Region.

His community service has included involvement with local Neighbourhood Watch initiatives, where he progressed to the role of Block Captain, and volunteer service with the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS).

Through his involvement with DRPS community initiatives, Kenroy has supported activities such as crime prevention education, the Lock It Up or Lose It campaign, anti-bullying initiatives, Racing Against Drugs, and other community engagement programs.

He has also organized community events designed to strengthen relationships among residents, encourage inclusiveness, promote trust, and support safer, more connected neighbourhoods.

His community involvement has included service on the Durham District School Board Equity Steering Committee and work as Coordinator of the Diverse Reintegration Youth Program with Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region.

These experiences reflect his commitment to helping individuals overcome barriers, strengthen community relationships, and access opportunities for positive change.

Recognition and Community Contributions

In recognition of his community involvement and leadership, Kenroy was named a Canada 150 Community Leader during Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, through the Town of Ajax.

This recognition reflected his contributions to youth development, volunteerism, community engagement, and initiatives designed to improve the well-being of individuals and families.

For Kenroy, community recognition has always been secondary to the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

A Mother’s Love — The Inspiration Behind Yvonne’s Heart

While The Wilson Project was established in loving memory of his father, Ralph Wilson, Kenroy’s mother, Yvonne Carter-Adams, has been one of the greatest sources of strength, encouragement, and inspiration throughout his life.

For Kenroy, his mother is more than a parent. She is one of his closest friends, greatest supporters, and someone who has stood faithfully beside him through life’s challenges, setbacks, and accomplishments.

Regardless of the circumstances or the cards life has dealt him, Yvonne has continued to offer unconditional love, encouragement, and unwavering belief in his potential.

In 2015, inspired by his mother’s compassion and generosity, Kenroy established Yvonne’s Heart, an ongoing community support initiative operating under The Wilson Project Employment and Training Centre.

The program was created to extend the same kindness, generosity, and encouragement his mother has shown him to individuals and families experiencing difficult circumstances.

Since its establishment, Yvonne’s Heart has supported more than 100 families, including newcomers and refugees establishing new lives in Canada.

Through donations from businesses, community partners, and generous individuals, the initiative has distributed clothing, furniture, food, household essentials, and other supplies with an estimated replacement value exceeding $75,000.

The program has also supported individual youth and small businesses, including barber shops, hair salons, and catering businesses.

Today, Yvonne’s Heart remains active, continuing to collect and distribute donations to those in need.

For Kenroy, the program represents a deeply personal expression of gratitude for the love, kindness, and unwavering support his mother has provided throughout his life.

“My father’s memory inspired me to create The Wilson Project. My mother’s love continues to inspire me to extend that same compassion and support to others.”

— Kenroy Wilson

Looking Toward the Future

Kenroy remains committed to expanding The Wilson Project’s reach through mentorship, education, employment opportunities, community partnerships, and humanitarian initiatives.

Building on the organization’s history of supporting youth and families in Canada, his vision includes developing meaningful partnerships and community support initiatives internationally.

Through collaboration, volunteerism, skills development, and practical assistance, he hopes to continue creating opportunities for individuals and families facing barriers to success.

Kenroy believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to grow, contribute, and build a brighter future, regardless of the challenges they have experienced.

Beyond the Organization

Known to friends and family as Kenny or Ken, Kenroy values spending time with family and friends, travelling, dancing, and connecting with people from different backgrounds and communities.

His personal and professional journey continues to be guided by the belief that compassion, opportunity, and positive mentorship can transform lives.