By Farrah Philpot
The Greenbelt around Bells Corners has long been a treasured outdoor space for local hikers, bikers, snowshoers and devoted birdwatchers. But there is a group of young new Canadians gaining a whole other appreciation for the capital’s nature escape.
Many participants in Trips for Kids Ottawa’s outdoor recreation programs have arrived from war-torn or impoverished African countries and are experiencing not only new sports opportunities, but also the therapeutic power of nature.
“The science and studies are in,” underlines Alison Somers, TFKO’s outreach, fundraising and communications manager. “Once you are outside and doing some sort of athletic activity, you’re starting to produce those endorphins and you’re starting to feel good.
“Eventually you‘re going to start to look forward to that as a part of your week and it’s elevating your mood, so it really can have a long-term impact.”
TFKO runs numerous programs in mountain biking, learn-to-ride, skating, snowshoeing and other outdoor activities, in an effort to develop youths’ leadership skills, confidence and social belonging.
Most participants from TFKO’s site at Franco-Ouest high school are part of the French Catholic school board’s new arrivals support program.
“A lot of these kids are struggling not just with the cultural barrier, but language barriers, financial issues, food insecurity,” notes Somers. “Those are the kids that we really reach out to, and we get them on bikes once a week, or skates once a week.”
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TFKO began nearly 20 years ago when founder Cat Weaver recognized both the importance of outdoor recreation for mental/physical health as well as the obstacles vulnerable youth can encounter to participate. Those include financial barriers, lack of equipment, transportation challenges and the perception of not being welcomed.
Starting with huge contributions from local bike shops and the cycling community, followed by grants from numerous sources, TFKO has acquired and maintained a large fleet of bikes, which are stored in retrofitted shipping containers at local schools.
The latest support has come from the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation Community Opportunity Grant, which is providing $2,000 towards TFKO’s fall programs to cover costs such as food, bus tickets, water bottles, bike maintenance supplies and insurance.
Somers says the grant is extremely meaningful to TFKO since their charity organization is entirely funded by donations and grants.
On top of Franco-Ouest, TFKO also offers its volunteer-led programs out of Frederick Banting Alternate School, which serves youth who are not thriving in the mainstream education system. Many students face issues related to mental health, low income, family dysfunction, the justice system or home/food insecurity.
Also joining in for TFKO activities are participants from the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, a live-in addictions and mental health treatment facility.
“There’s often a mental health component that really starts to improve,” Somers says of outdoor recreation’s impact. “When you dive a little deeper, you see all these other profound effects, so that’s really the underlying purpose of getting these kids outside.
“The hope is that it’s with the person for life, and that’s going to kind of help their mental health for the rest of their life.”
Beyond mental health improvements, Trips for Kids Ottawa has also seen youths’ self-confidence rise through the program as they become more comfortable in their new environment.
“Whether they’ve left other schools, or other countries, they’re finding this sense of community,” Somers explains, highlighting Trips for Kids’ ultimate goal. “They start to develop more confidence, and we see their leadership skills coming out.”
This article is part of the Ottawa Sports Pages’ Inclusion in Sport series. Read more about local sport inclusion initiatives at: OttawaSportsPages.ca/Ottawa-Sports-Pages-Inclusion-In-Sport-Series/.
Fantastic initiative that will have positive lasting impact in the lives of youth. Simply amazing.