Donation will make huge impact for vulnerable youth for Take a Hike’s Nanaimo and Cowichan programs.

Duncan’s Berkey’s Corner Co-op manager Myriam Cyr (left) and Chemainus Co-op manager Glen Williams present a cheque for $7,500 to the Take a Hike Foundation’s manager of philanthropy Zoe Lauckner on Jan. 25. Mid Island Co-op has been a strong supporter of the Take a Hike Foundation since 2020. (Photo by Chadd Cawson/Cowichan Valley Citizen)

Mid-Island Co-op has fuelled good feelings with a donation to the Take a Hike Foundation.

Manager Myriam Cyr of the Berkey’s Corner Co-op in Duncan, and manager Glen Williams 0f the Chemainus Co-op location presented a cheque in the amount of $7,500 to the Take a Hike Foundation manager of philanthropy Zoe Lauckner at the Co-op located at Smiley Road in Chemainus. Mid Island Co-op has been supporting the Take a Hike Foundation since 2020.

“Mid Island Co-op is proud to partner with Take a Hike Foundation by directly supporting their Cowichan Valley Open Learning Co-op and Nanaimo Learning Alternatives programs,” said CEO Ian Anderson. “This donation helps solidify our commitment towards empowering young minds, helping them climb mountains of challenges, and guiding them on a transformative journey. Every step we take together, we are paving the way for a brighter future. We hope that by investing in the potential of tomorrow’s leaders, we can make a lasting impact on their trail to success.”

Over the last two decades the Take a Hike Foundation has helped hundreds of youth transform their lives for the better. The foundation partners with public school districts to engage vulnerable youth in a full-time mental health and emotional well-being program embedded in an alternate education classroom. They have developed a proven, trauma-informed, evidence-based program model that has made a huge difference for B.C. youth and their families.

“Take a Hike is deeply grateful for the enduring support Mid Island Co-op extends to youth experiencing vulnerabilities in our Nanaimo and Cowichan programs through their Community Support Fund,” said manager of philanthropy Zoe Lauckner. “Their generosity enables more than 40 young people each year to reach new heights – academically, emotionally, physically, and socially – empowering them to change the trajectory of their lives and find success, however they define it. This $7,500 donation will help youth get outside and learn on the land, while building resilience and developing life skills that will last a lifetime.”

Mid-Island Co-op steps up with a $7,500 donation for the Take a Hike Foundation