Streetfront Alternative

Today was a great run. We had 4 adult mentors run with 5 of our students today. Instead of sleeping the day away, the 5 students laced them up and collectively conquered the Deep Coce Run.

Special thanks to Brandon Steele of the Vancouver Police Department, and Ben Proctor a very committed volunteer who works with the students around 3 times a week. These two gentleman ran alongside Gord Howey, the best counsellor on the planet. It all culminated with Barry Skillin, our alternate program worker extraordinaire, picking all of us up in the van at Deep Cove.

These students are so fortunate to have these amazing adults in their lives, demonstrating what it takes to be an honourable, peaceful and committed adult.

From left to right:
Trevor Stokes; Jordan Braun; Jessiah Kaysaywaysemat; Josue Cinceros; Natasha Pakkala; Brandon Steele; Segar Florence; Ben Proctor and Gord Howey

Streetfront ventured out to Maple Ridge to conquer their adventure course.

The course is a thrilling mix of high ropes games and stunts. The students were forced to overcome their fears and trepidations, pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones.

Traversing over ziplines, launching yourself into cargo nets 60 feet off the ground, gingerly making your way across wire tight ropes – these are just a few of the obstacles that the kids had to tackle.

The Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation has been supporting students in need for over 5 years. The charity was set up when Strachan Hartley succumbed to cancer in his 30th year. An amazing man, supported by an equally amazing family, Strachan lived life as hard as you could ever hope – meeting and exceeding expectations and obstacles in a tireless pursuit of excellence. In his death, the family wanted to honour his spirit and character by raising money to help support disadvantaged kids in athletic and extracurricular endeavours.

Streetfront has been the recipient of annual grants from the foundation. This money has provided literally hundreds if opportunities for kids to push themselves and grow in ways never thought possible. The generosity and kindness bestowed on our program and our students has been wonderful to witness. This isn’t charity – this is an investment in the beauty and power of youth, something far more meaningful and tangible.

On October 20th, we gathered current and former students at the portable at 8 am and headed over to Handsworth Secondary in North Van to participate in their annual 5 and 10 km fundraising run. A very challenging course dominated by the mountainous terrain made for a very rewarding experience. Upon finishing, the students were surrounded by positive and caring adults whose cheers and claps made the run that much easier.

The Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation (SHLF) is a very noble foundation and anyone wishing to donate will find their money goes directly to kids. Please visit their website for more information http://www.shlf.ca

Art continues to dominate our afternoons at Streetfront. Ken Lum – artist extraordinaire – has these kids doing amazing things. 2 and 1/2 hours of pure creativity and joy.

7 students got up on Friday morning and instead of hitting the books they hit the pavement. Today was a Deep Cove run – a Streetfront mainstay. About 3 times a year, the kids lace ’em up and embark on the 18.8 km run from Britannia Secondary to Deep Cove, North Vancouver. It’s a very challenging course with tonnes of hills and curves, not to mention the Second Narrows Bridge.

Left to right:
Trevor, Segar (13), Liam (17), Josue (15), Natasha (13), Shivnay (16) and Jasper (13)

Nice work kids, keep making Streetfront proud.

Today marked the start of our new art program. We are fortunate to have our great friend Ken offer his artistic skills to our students. He started a series of 10 art classes that will break at Christmas and then resume again in the new year.

Ken is a master of all arts and is bringing a very unique and relevant perspective to our students.

Our first project was Street Art – stencils and spray paint. The kids were thrilled and their creations show true skill.

The alternative programs at Britannia have started a wonderful back to school tradition. The first Friday back has all the alt programs, plus a few others, meet at Kits Beach for a welcome back BBQ. The volleyball nets are put up, the bbq’s start smoking and the good times start. Over 70 students and their staff had a great time in the sun.

Streetfront followed that BBQ with an annual trip to Lynn Canyon. Barry and Gord led the trip and got all the students involved in some great team building activities. Looks like a great year is shaping up.