Take a Hike Foundation Thanks Teck Trail Operations for Supporting Vulnerable West Kootenay Youth During COVID-19
By Contributor
In response to the overwhelming need for mental health supports during the public health crisis, Take a Hike Foundation has mobilized their team of clinical counsellors online and extended mental health care throughout July and August while youth are on summer break. Long-time Take a Hike program supporter, Teck Trail Operations, was one of the first organizations to step forward with a generous donation to ensure this expanded support was available for vulnerable youth in the West Kootenays.
For the thousands of youth across the province with existing mental health challenges, the public health crisis is compounding the challenges they already face, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, addictions, and trauma. The funding Teck Trail Operations has provided will help Take a Hike extend their counselling services throughout July and August to 18 youth and their families in the Take a Hike program, and to 19 youth from the Kootenay Columbia Learning Centre.
Thompson Hickey, General Manager, Teck Trail Operations said, “We’re committed to supporting the long-term health and wellbeing of our local communities. Take a Hike is an innovative education program that engages vulnerable youth, and we’re pleased to support the important work they are doing in our community, especially in the wake of COVID-19.”
Working from a trauma-informed and evidence-based approach, Take a Hike’s registered clinical counsellors (RCC) help youth improve their mental health and well-being, build resilience, and develop healthy coping and stress-management skills.
The community-funded Take a Hike Foundation launched the COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund to meet the overwhelming need for expanded mental health supports for vulnerable youth across BC. Clinical counselling and community support for all enrolled youth is being extended throughout the summer vacation period, as well as to alumni and their families, and to additional youth referred by partnering school districts. Take a Hike raised funding to immediately open up 75 clinical counselling spaces online, and is seeking an additional $200,000 to open the remaining spaces.
To make a donation or for more information, please visit takeahikefoundation.org or phone 604.638.3385.
