Snow Day!
For youth living in care and coping with trauma, the mountains are an inspirational and cleansing place.
Snow Day Brings Joy for Our Youth!
The isolating effects of virtual school and multiple quarantines have been acutely felt by our youth, so when residential supervisor Christal Black told Danielle John, that she’d like to organize a trip to the snow, Danielle knew she had to make it happen. The Youth Homes four licensed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic residential homes are county-funded, but keeping a facility running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, means this funding does not stretch to cover large group activities and enrichment. Extracurricular activity is 100% funded by donations. Danielle reached out to her local Nextdoor community to seek help regarding a trip to the snow!
In less than 24 hours, over $4,000 was collected; enough to pay for youth and staff to rent equipment from Sports Basement’s Walnut Creek location, pay for lessons, and lift tickets at Boreal Mountain, with some leftover for tubing fun. One generous donor wrote;
“I skied as a child but we had no money. When a friend took me up and I came home and told my mom I loved it, she knew she had to come up with the money--which she did. I took the ski bus every Saturday until I graduated. It has served me well for 60 years, so I am very happy to sponsor a child!”
At 7:00 am Wednesday, March 31st
thirteen youth and six staff left Concord for Boreal Mountain. Not one youth in the van had seen snow before. As kids got their first glimpse, one client from the back shouted,
“Shawntrelle, can we please stop right now? I just want to feel it!”
The vans stopped and clients jumped out, their faces filled with joy and laughter.
Conquering fears on the mountain
Max Gaal, Senior Manager of Mountain Sports at Boreal, was quick to find the group and helped complete waivers and assign equipment. Once everyone was set up, they followed Max and the Boreal team out to the mountain. One client started to hesitate and did not want to learn. Max quickly jumped to ease her fears. He grabbed a snowboarding bike and started riding it around her, showing her how to use it. He stayed with her and got her to use the bike, with a safety cord attached to him. She was able to conquer her fear and even rode the bike by herself, asking Max to stay close in case she fell.
Another resident, who was used to skateboarding was making excellent progress with Brian, another instructor. When Brian was complimenting him on his skills, he opened up about how much he missed skating, and that he didn't have a skateboard. Later, Brian approached Christal to ask permission to give the boy his skateboard. Christal was blown away by the gesture! The boy has ridden the board every day since.
The clients got a real kick at seeing the staff try to snowboard, not missing a single chance to laugh when each one fell, yet quickly running over to help them up. When the time finally came for everyone to do their first big run, the feeling of joy was immense. Falling, helping each other up, crisp cold air and warm shining sun. After a year in a pandemic, it was the exhilarating and rejuvenating experience everyone needed.
The fun came to an end at 6:00 pm when everyone made their way back to the vans to begin their journey home. Kids and staff alike were leaving with a new experience under their belt. Those who didn't think they could do it proved themselves wrong. Staff, who rarely get to participate in activities, left with so much joy for getting to bond in a unique way with the youth.
To our generous donors and the Boreal staff…
THANK YOU doesn’t feel like enough. You gifted Youth Homes with a day we will never forget. You helped 20 people make it to the mountain, learn a new skill, and made a positive impact in their lives. Your kindness, dedication, and knowledge were felt and appreciated, we are grateful for you all.
It’s through donors like you that we are able to give youth these once-in-a-lifetime experiences that support them through the healing process, create self-confidence, and make new connections.
