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A Little More Good is a Vancouver-based company for, and about, the little things. The small changes that anyone can make in their everyday life. The articles we write, the events we run, the causes we support and the people we reach are all part of our quest to make it easy to create positive change. |
On occasion, things can overlap in the best of ways. Peanut butter for example, is fantastic with both jam AND nutella. Similarly, there are a lot of organizations in Vancouver that are both awesome AND adding a little more good to the world. We’d like to introduce our January Charity of the Month: The Take A Hike Youth At Risk Foundation. We got a chance to chat with Executive Director Jaydeen Williams on what makes Take A Hike awesome, how they change the lives of hundreds of kids and her favourite way to a little more good.
ALMG: In case someone hasn't heard of you guys yet, what makes Take A Hike awesome?
JW: Take a Hike is an alternative education program that engages Vancouver at-risk youth through a unique combination of adventure-based learning (weekly outdays plus three multi-day expeditions per school year), academics, counseling, and community involvement (our students volunteer in the community too). Students in the Take a Hike program often struggle with issues that have inhibited their success in the mainstream school system such as drug and alcohol addiction, physical and mental abuse, criminal activity, low self-esteem, depression, and/or trauma.
ALMG: That is definitely awesome. What is the biggest change you notice in your students, from their first day of school to graduation?
JW: Consistently, our qualitative evaluations reflect student’s improved self-esteem as well as increased communication and conflict resolution skills. In our 2011 Summer Update we told the story of a First Nations student who completed three years at TAH starting in grade 10 and graduated in the class of 2011. At first it was challenging to get him to come to school. He began to show confidence in being the first in his family to stay in school and finish all of the requirements for a grade 12 graduation. He also knew that being the first to do so would be a positive example for his younger siblings and family members to follow. This is what he wanted to share with donors:
“This year is my final high school year. I have been in Take a Hike since grade 10. Physically, I have lost 200 pounds. More important to me though is that mentally and emotionally there have been huge differences. These trips are hard on my body because of my addictions that I face back at home. In grade 10 I found the short 3-day trip totally hard, and today I finished my last trip ever: 10 days on the West Coast Trail. Within that time I have learned more about myself than anywhere else in my lifetime. I know the memories I’ve made here at Take a Hike will stick with me all my life. It is hard to thank this school for everything it has done for me. From the healthy food, teachers, scholarships, and even saving me while I was going through mild hypothermia. Thank you. The other students that have cycled through this program, most going through the same stressful situations at home, have been huge motivation factors for me; I realize that it wasn’t all me motivating myself. The skills I have learned will help me in both the present and the future. Without this school, I would literally be sitting on the curb doing nothing but asking for change. I’m proud to say I’m a graduate of Take a Hike 2011. Thank You.”
Every student has their own story, and you can find some of them on our website under “student stories”.
ALMG: And you've been able to help hundreds of kids! What’s been your most rewarding experience thus far?
JW: I’ve been with Take a Hike for a year and a half now and I think my most rewarding experience was our graduation BBQ at the end of last year. It was so wonderful to see students, their families, our staff, volunteers and some special donors all together in one spot, the Kitsilano Yacht Club. Each student was asked to stand at the front of the room and the teachers, therapists, other program staff and their families shared the positive changes they had seen in this student since coming to Take a Hike. There was inevitably embarrassment from the students who were the centre of attention at their moment, but I saw pride and confidence, definitely not something I saw when I first met these students. We also had the opportunity to give out some Take a Hike Scholarships to Take a Hike graduates and alumni. To see the connection between these students and our donors who fund these scholarships was magical. What a day!
ALMG: That is fantastic! Plus, you've just celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Take A Hike, congratulations on a fantastic milestone! What’s happening for decade number two?
JW: Thank you so much! Our ambassador, Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes actually came to Vancouver to celebrate our 10th anniversary. She led a bike ride around Stanley Park with our students, and then spoke at a reception with our donors and other supporters.
Take a Hike is expanding its reach to support more at-risk youth in multiple communities. Over the past ten years we have helped hundreds of teens through the personal struggles that far too often keep them from reaching their full potential and achieving success, both in the classroom and in life. We’re on the verge of an exciting new chapter – we’re creating new paths to explore.
ALMG: How can someone get involved with Take a Hike?
JW: Anyone can help make a difference in the lives of our students by donating, sending a cheque or donating online. We’re also always looking for new or gently used outdoor clothing and equipment. Sometimes people like to hold their own fundraisers and donate the proceeds, and we are happy to help with that too. For those who would like to also give their time, we have a variety of different volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can support our students in the classroom, or outdoors. Sometimes our volunteers join on the multi-day expeditions, like “the beast” Rob, our Winter 2011 featured volunteer. The Foundation also recruits volunteers for a wide variety of roles: research, grant writing, event planning, our board of directors, and so much more. Anyone interested in volunteering can email me directly at [email protected].
ALMG: It sounds like there's something for everyone. Lastly, what is your favourite way to do a little more good?
JW: Umbrellas are made for two! At street corners and sometimes walking downtown I like to share my umbrella with strangers. I also like to sneak under the umbrellas of others and when caught, “you don’t mind, right?” So far, I’ve only received smiles in return.
Free on Thursday nights? There are two more ways you can support Take A Hike coming up in the next few weeks. This Thursday, January 26th, from 7-9 PM A Little More Good is hosting The Snow Tubing Classic presented by Mount Seymour. Tickets are only $20 and all the proceeds go straight to Take A Hike.
On Thursday, February 23rd, Take A Hike is hosting their 6th annual Moonlight Snowshoe. Registration is only $20 and with sponsors like Purdy’s Chocolates, it’s bound to be a great time.
