Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation

Exit: February 2015

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Take a Hike is a full-time alternate education program that supports vulnerable youth in grades 10-12 to overcome barriers to achieving success in school and in their lives. Take a Hike uses the outdoors and adventure to engage students in school, community, and mental health supports. The organization’s goal is to help students build the skills and resilience they need not just to graduate, but to navigate life as they become young adults. Over the course of almost two decades, Take a Hike has developed an effective, trauma-informed, evidence-based program model.

“

We are grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the LIFT team to strengthen our foundation and expand our program to reach additional at-risk youth, schools and communities.”

Matthew Coyne Past CEO

Opportunity

The long-term goal for our partnership with Take a Hike was to position the program to be recognized as a leading alternative education program for at-risk youth, which is offered in school districts across Canada.

Plan

Replicate Take a Hike’s program in two additional communities, enabling them to reach more at-risk youth. Enhance measurement practices and financial sustainability.

Impact

Added a second program in the West Kootenays region of BC and a third in Burnaby, BC
Developed a governance and legal structure design, as well as trademarks, license and expansion agreements
Redesigned website and automated qualification process for a more efficient applicant intake
Strengthened communications and branding practices to better communicate Take a Hike’s vision and values
Created a human resource plan to build internal capacity for expansion
Empowered 65 at-risk youth in three communities to complete high school and embark on the next stage of life
Built a strong foundation to prepare Take a Hike for future expansions

partners

We thank the following partners for their support in executing the LIFT Plan: