Two Vancouver companies have joined forces to reach out to disadvantaged youth on Vancouvers East Side. The coalition is comprised of Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS) a non-profit outreach group that offers free hockey-based programs to children living in the Downtown East Side, and Nerd Corps Entertainment, a private animation and production studio. Both companies are based on the citys East Side and co-hosted a workshop July 4 at Britannia Centre in Grandview-Woodland.
HEROS has been active in the community since 2000 when former WHL forward Norm Flynn gathered a handful of volunteers and corporate sponsors to bring the rink to the youth of the Downtown Eastside. Since then, theyve run programs in 10 cities across Canada and Ireland. Flynn, who grew up in Winnipegs rough north end, said that hockey gave him a healthy outlet to channel his energy and vent his frustrations. His goal is to use the sport as a catalyst for positive behavior for East Side kids.
Nerd Corps is a new face in the community, having first cut their philanthropic teeth last year with HEROS. The company has previously given lectures at elementary schools, but took a more personal approach at the workshop, guiding the small groups of kids through the fundamentals of character design, acting, animation and game design.
Were trying to provide a different perspective, Nerd Corps co-founder Chuck Johnson said. HEROS does great work with hockey, but we want to get [youth] interested in different aspects of the arts... Creative expression is important for everyone to cope and get through life, especially at-risk kids.
Nerd Corps designed their classes to be especially accessible, as many of the participants may not have access to a computer, let alone a proper suite of programs. However, Johnson said that several of his employees hail from similar neighbourhoods and that a career in animation is absolutely achievable for anyone.
Some of the best artists in B.C. come from the Downtown East Side, Johnson said. Adversity breeds creativity and an appreciation for the world around you.
The workshop at Britannia Centre was attended by 40 children and was followed by a presentation by the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, the Vancouver Police Department and an ex-Hells Angels member, who spoke about drug awareness.
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