Hockey Helps the Homeless: Rochelle Edwards
09-04-2025
For Rochelle Edwards playing in a charity hockey tournament in support of the YMCA is like having the stars align.
Not only has she played hockey her whole life, but she’s also been a part of the YMCA since she was a little girl.
“I took karate classes and swimming lessons, and did a drop-in art program. I was up north, so there weren't a lot of community facilities, and the Y was where we all went, and it was amazing,” she says.
Now, living in Burlington and working with the Cornerstone Association of Realtors, Rochelle is just steps away from the Ron Edwards Family YMCA.
“I’ve come full circle. I signed my kids up for swimming lessons, and I absolutely love the community building [that happens there].”
“It’s just a really good group of people from different backgrounds, and it's a great community location. We love our Y,” says Rochelle.
So, when a coworker approached her about playing in the Hockey Helps the Homeless tournament in support of YMCA programs that prevent homelessness, it was an easy decision.
“She knew I played hockey because it’s such a big part of who I am. I’m a full-fledged hockey mom, but I’ve always been a hockey player. It was a perfect fit for me.”
Rochelle isn’t just a player, she’s team captain—recruiting players and cheering on her team as they fundraise for the YMCA Men’s Residence and Youth in Transition programs.
“I feel for men that are experiencing any sort of issues with their home stability because there are so many programs for women, there are so many shelters for women and women with kids, and I feel for men because a lot of times they don't have the same access and the same programs funding wise, so I think it's incredibly important to support all aspects of it.”
“There's something about the Y program where it just feels like a safe space for these people to approach without judgment,” she says.
As the Genuine Realtor, Rochelle says she sees how people are struggling with housing insecurity.
“I deal with a lot of it firsthand when I deal with first-time buyers. They just can’t keep renting; there’s just not enough money for everything, and buying a house is a big financial decision.”
At first, Rochelle was concerned about reaching her $500 personal fundraising goal, but she quickly found an overwhelming amount of support, more than tripling her initial target.
“That just filled my cup. I don't know what it is about fundraising, but seeing it slowly climbing, $10 here, $5 there, it just filled me up with so much happiness.”
She says combining hockey, friendly competition, and fundraising for a local cause helped her reach people she didn’t expect.
“There's so many people that care deeply about the community.”
“It's sometimes the people that have the least to give that are so willing to give what they can.”
You can watch Rochelle and the Cornerstone Team hit the ice on April 11, 2025 at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. at the Mohawk 4 Ice Centre.
