LOOKING BACK AT OUR 2020 – 2021 YEAR

A MESSAGE FROM NICOLE GEYER AND GORDON MATCHETT

This year marked 20 years of Take a Hike changing the lives of youth and we truly wouldn’t have been able to achieve as much as we have

without the support of people like you.

PIVOTING OUR PROGRAM

We all took a collective breath of relief last September as we were able to finally get back into the classroom after months of virtual learning. We came back with a revised program that was able to offer the same types of experiences for youth in our program that they would have experienced before the pandemic, apart from multi-day trips. Throughout this report, you will see how we were able to keep the Take a Hike experience intact and still maintain our impact even with the restraints of the pandemic. We would also like to give recognition to the staff of Take a Hike who were able to pivot during this difficult time and still offer high quality programming and experiences for youth in our programs. In fact, we were able to offer youth a more in-depth experience through increased counselling sessions, frequent check-ins, and connectivity to ensure mental health and well-being was maintained during this tough time. This year proved how important our program is for youth, especially as mental health is a growing issue that has increased significantly during the pandemic.

It is worth noting here that it was found that those hit hardest by the pandemic, in terms of mental health, were those who were graduating high school and experiencing the next big stage of their lives whether that be entering the workforce, post-secondary education, or a new adventure. It is these young people who we serve, and it shows the importance of Take a Hike’s work. We are prime for supporting more youth who need our help and that is what we are prepared to do as Take a Hike continues to grow starting with our expansion on Vancouver Island including the communities of Nanaimo, Cowichan, and Saanich in September 2021. We are very proud of the work that has been done and what we’ve been able to achieve.

GROWTH AND RECONCILIATION

Despite the challenges we faced as a board because of the pandemic – seeing the youth we serve and working with Take a Hike’s staff in person – we used the time to dive into our Strategic Plan for Take a Hike’s next five years. It was a huge highlight for us as we were able to put our heads together and think about what we wanted to see in Take a Hike’s future. We made sure to emphasize the importance of our program and what it accomplishes. We explored the bigger picture of Take a Hike especially with mental health impacts in mind, and how it will make all the difference in the lives of youth, not only now but in the future with the after-effects of the pandemic. We are thrilled to share our clear map of where Take a Hike is headed and the path to our next adventure.

As we look forward, we are elated to see the role Take a Hike can play in Truth and Reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples. As an organization, we value equity and equality and welcome those who come from diverse backgrounds and intersections. We work to foster space in which those who come from racialized and marginalized communities can feel safe and seen. This work will continue as a journey for us to become better allies and support our communities by ensuring harm reduction and acknowledgment of barriers and oppressive systems.

We are eager to share our Endorsement of Truth and Reconciliation as we continue to work and learn to better serve Indigenous youth in our programs. We know Take a Hike can have a significant impact in the lives of youth experiencing inter-generational trauma and we are looking forward to how our organization can support a positive path forward for Indigenous communities within BC and Canada.

THANK YOU

Thank you to our donors, board members, volunteers, and staff who have made the lives of vulnerable youth a priority – especially this year. Our sincerest gratitude to the thousands of donors who, no matter their circumstances, made a gift and supported Take a Hike throughout the pandemic.

As we reflect on two decades of transforming the lives of vulnerable youth, we would like to give a special thanks to our supporters who have been with us throughout this journey. Hundreds and thousands of lives have been positively impacted because you cared. From those who heard the first idea blossom to those who’ve helped us grow to more communities across the province, you’ve joined us every step of the way and we are sincerely grateful for your support and trust throughout this 20-year journey and beyond.

It’s time to get excited for the future!

Nicole Geyer

Board Chair, Take a Hike Foundation