The Pacific football players have been recognized for their on field achievements, however, Pacific has players contributing as much off the field as they do on the field. Freshman offensive lineman, Cyler Dalgord is not just a football player, but he is actively involved in the community. Dalgord is a regular volunteer at a youth homeless shelter.
Dalgord, an exercise science major, has been volunteering in homeless shelters, and been involved with doing community service since he was in the fifth grade. The Washington native devotes his free time Transitional Youth, a Portland shelter for people 21 and under. The types of people he serves come from abusive situations or have drug and alcohol addictions.
Transitional Youth was founded in 1991 to counteract the number of young people living on the street in Portland. Portland has the highest homeless population per capita in the U.S. The goals of Transitional Youth are to provide homeless youth with a stable family environment, and the skills and opportunities to prosper on their own.
When Dalgord is working at the shelter he is responsible for collecting donations, buying food for the meals, preparing meals and serving them.
“By volunteering at Transitional Youth it has opened up my eyes to the fact that kids are on the streets and it makes me what to help them a lot more.” Dalgord said he just enjoys helping those who struggle to help themselves.
As a part of the ‘plus one’ program, Dalgord said he hopes to get more football players involved with his service at Transitional Youth. The aspiring critical care doctor would like to continue his work at Transitional Youth and gain a higher position at the shelter.
“While there I want to simply help the kids that come in and make them comfortable around our organization, I really don’t hope to gain anything personally while there,” Dalgord said.
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