Not every student fits into the mainstream school system, but that’s where the Take a Hike Program comes in. Each week leading up to the #Modo8k we’ll meet a new student and hear more about this fantastic program.
Meet Erin, a 2009 graduate from the Take a Hike Program.
In the August 2011 article entitled KICKING HABITS in the Vancouver Courier, staff writer Megan Stewart shares a story prior to a trip to Paris for the team representing Canada at the Homeless World Cup.
Take a Hike Alumna Erin Backer, was on that team:
Backer, who was previously expelled from Kitsilano and King George high schools before she landed at the specialized outdoor education program, Take A Hike, is enrolled at Langara for psychology classes next fall. She wants to become a social worker and received a $5,000 scholarship from Take A Hike to pursue her goals.
“When I look back, there are some [support workers] who I will remember for the rest of my life. Some of them I don’t even remember and they helped me so much. There is no way I can say thank you to them but I just want to pass it on.”
Backer has begun working at an after-school care and summer day camp program for kids. Her newly learned patience, sense of respect for her leadership position as a role model, and gifted comic timing, make her a natural with kids. Her supervisor agrees.
Read the full story here.
We recently caught up with Erin to hear about her experience in Paris, and plans for the future.
Erin compared this trip to Paris to her expeditions back in Take a Hike. It was similar she shared, but this time she felt she was “in complete control of my emotions”. Erin feels she has come a long way since her days in Take a Hike. “Back then, and even after Take a Hike, I didn’t really feel I had much going for me. Now I have a lot in my life.”
In June, Erin received the Francis Family Scholarship from Take a Hike to support her studies at Langara College. In Erin’s words:
“Life is good.”
We are excited to work with Take a Hike as our Charity Partner at the Modo Spring Run-Off 8k, taking place on March 22 in Stanley Park. Find out more about Take a Hike, plus how to start fundraising, right here. You can also donate directly to Take a Hike while registering for the #Modo8k.
NEW – Modo will now be matching all donations up to a total of $2,500!
Double the impact of your donations before the Modo matching funds run out!The top 3 fundraisers will win a FREE entry into either the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k (June 28) or Vancouver Eastside 10k (September 19)!
