Red Fox Active Outreach Active Communities Vancouver

2009 BCRPA Provincial Awards Program Excellence
Red Fox Active Outreach Active Communities Vancouver	From 2009 BCRPA Provincial Awards

We are inspired when we see resourceful programs that transform and strengthen communities. Active Communities Vancouver has been supporting inner-city Aboriginals in this way through its Red Fox outreach program.

Red Fox is based on the traditional idea of the Medicine Wheel, a code of living that promotes physical, mental, emotional and cultural balance. By providing opportunities for people to get physically active, and for individuals to learn leadership skills, the program is building capacity in the Aboriginal community. Strengthening this community also enhances the city as a whole.

Part of the program’s success stems from the variety of activities it offers at events. Whether people try wall-climbing, juggling, stilt-walking or sport, they have the chance to learn new skills and develop self-confidence. They also learn from these experiences that they can take part in recreation close to home, and that it doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment. Drumming and traditional singing are also part of these events to keep them culturally relevant and foster a sense of pride in the community’s heritage. Some events also include a nutritional component where people can learn to make healthy choices when they eat.

Free leadership training is the other important part of Red Fox. Youth and adults within the community are offered opportunities to organize activities and mentor children. They receive HIGH FIVE^®, Everybody gets to play™, nutrition, health promotion and communication training. Senior leaders attend meetings with local schools and agencies in a form of job shadowing to acquire program development and special event coordination skills. Youth leaders take part in monthly recreation outings, giving them positive leisure experiences and more chances to learn from their community role models. At all levels, the leadership training creates a sense of inclusion, community, hope and fun. Through this safe, supportive, socially inclusive and culturally respectful process, people become more employable and gain life skills and the experience to guide their community along a path of ever-increasing success.

Active Communities Vancouver’s Red Fox program goes beyond the goals of inclusion and engagement to play an integral role in a community that cares for its members, explores new opportunities, honours its heritage, and enhances quality of life. Because its ongoing achievements, the Red Fox program has earned BCRPA’s 2009 Program Excellence Award.