Shine On!

About Darren's Impact

Against the Wall is the Foundation’s signature outreach program. The Against the Wall grant program provides qualifying individuals (ages 18-26) who cannot afford a portion or the entirety of their in-patient or outpatient addiction treatment. The program serves individuals living in Nevada, and treatment takes place in Nevada addiction treatment facilities. The grants also fund 3 to 6 months of sober living housing for the individuals who have completed treatment.

Since its inception, Darren’s Foundation has awarded Against the Wall grants to 80 individuals in Las Vegas for recovery treatment, totaling over $1M in treatment.

Wall Talks are the Foundation’s secondary outreach program. The program is focused on impacting high school students, mainly students on the football team, by providing a safe, affirming, accepting, and encouraging environment for young adults that will ultimately lead to the prevention of substance abuse and misuse.

Darren’s Wall Talks are TED Talk-style presentations that Darren Waller personally curates for students. Darren speaks about his experience as a high school football player to now, his personal experience with substance abuse as a young adult, and how he overcame his addiction to become the person he is today. The team is given the opportunity at the end of the Wall Talk to sign the pledge to S.H.I.N.E. – which means Self Awareness, Hope, Integrity, say “No”, and to Encourage yourself and others.

Darren's Story

DARREN'S WHY

Darren’s WHY is to leverage his platform as a former NFL player to share his personal experience with substance abuse and the experiences of others, to provide a safe, affirming, accepting and encouraging environment for young adults which leads to the prevention of substance misuse and prevention.

DARREN'S MISSION

To equip youth to avoid and overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol, and to support youth and their families during their recovery and treatment journey.