Annual Report October 2011 For additional information, please contact: Gillie Easdon, ESC Program Coordinator or Lori Ferguson, REES Program Coordinator Victoria Cool Aid Society 823 Broughton Street Victoria BC, V8W 1E5 Phone: 250-595-8619 Cell: 250-882-5261 Email: geasdon@coolaid.org or lferguson@coolaid.org Web: www.coolaid.org/esc
Project Summary 2 Every Step Counts (ESC) is a positive and innovative Victoria-based running program, established by the Victoria Foundation and hosted by Victoria Cool Aid Society, for people experiencing barriers and challenges with mental health, addiction, housing, homelessness, poverty and other related issues. The program draws on the wide-reaching and longlasting benefits of running and teamwork to foster self-esteem, confidence, energy, positive growth and healthy lifestyle choices. Statistics of Every Step Counts Success New participants from December 2010 October 2011: 98 new participants, 3 new volunteers, 1 practicum student, lost 1 volunteer to med school, 1 peer support worker from REES who attends session in support of a participant.
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5 Testimonial on Impact This Testimonial is from Terry. She joined Every Step Counts as a participant and is now a volunteer. I could probably sum my experience, thoughts, feelings and love of this program in a few sentences. But I think the program and the wonderful co-ordinator(s) that founded and keep this program going deserve much more. I heard about Every Step Counts at a time in my in my life when I saw no reason to get up, why bother. I felt useless, helpless and alone, by my own doing. I had the day before forced myself to go to the gym at Crystal Pool. I made myself jog on the tread mill for 20 minutes, I knew that from years before of being a "gym rat". You have to do a minimum twenty minutes to have any effect on your body. It had been over three years of doing nothing! My body felt it, but it felt good. The next day some said a person was giving a talk about Every Step Counts & I should go. I had already glanced at a pamphlet about Every Step Counts before but like all things I ignored it. But, after my little jog at the gym I thought, "why not see what it's about" that is without a doubt the best advice I've ever taken. After hearing exactly what happens with Every Step Counts, I was excited for the first time in years. I told six more people who hadn't heard the meeting & two of them came too. We went the next day. I was hooked. Here is a place were everyone, no matter who you are, what has or is going on in your life you are welcome. It is a time to be with new friends, enjoy exercise, stretching, an amazing snack and good company. I looked forward to my two visits each week. They gave me purpose, Happiness and opened doors I never would have dreamed of obtaining. Through Every Step Counts, I was given further training in running at Front Runners in Rob Reid s marathon clinics. After finishing the clinic I competed in the Goodlife Fitness Half Marathon! I couldn't run down the block before nor had anyone encouraged me to! This past year I have taken spring & winter clinics at Front Runner and through Front Runners was introduced to the Pose Method of running "Mindful Strides" which lead me to the Alexander Technique plus to go along with all the running I also do Bikram hot yoga to help my running. To date I have competed in four half marathons, several 10k & 5k races. I have been asked To Be a Front Runner run leader in the up coming clinics. Realizing how fortunate I am to be able to run, I run for a reason other than myself. To date some of the charities I've run for & fund raised are: Every Step Counts, BC SPCA, Run For The Cure-I put a team together of 15 ladies & myself for this cause- and currently I'm with Team In Training. This is a non-profit organization raising funds for blood cancer research & cure; this is a Half Marathon in January 2012. what happened is I obtained a healthy balance in my life. Work, exercise, good food, friendship everything in sync. This past year I've volunteered for several events and know how many people it takes to make things happen. I will always be very grateful to Every Step Counts & the wonderful people. I feel now I really have the knowledge, fitness & training to help others who might like to try running, to learn the proper way to run/walk injury free, to be with folks to share & most of all have fun! I would not have been on the path I'm on today if I hadn't gone to the meeting to hear about Every step Counts and made it to the first run. Every Step Counts means as much to me today as the first day I walked through the doors. I feel it my turn to give back, to help others day a little brighter & better & to make new friends.
6 Comments from Participant Surveys Every Step Counts is there for everyone. Everyone is welcome, it shows. In the two years and I have enjoyed the challenge of the 10km and the 8k. I had no exercise in my life before and now I do and enjoy it. Wouldn t have thought that!! Gillie has a super way of helping everyone feel welcome to participate in all events. I love this important program. Gillie is the most lovely, enthusiastic leader! This is really an excellent and worthwhile program that meets many needs for a variety of people. ESC is a supportive group for people trying to improve their health and physical fitness. Awesome program helping individuals feel supported and have happier, healthier lives. The incentives are very rewarding. Awesome program. Grassroots support for participants. Great non-judgemental atmosphere. This is a great program. Very supportive, good atmosphere. Lots of extra motivation to run with the food, water bottles, shoes, etc. I used to be a runner. My dream of running a marathon got derailed. Thanks to the program, last weekend I participated in the 8k Road Race portion of the Victoria Marathon. Just 8k, but it s a start, thanks to this program.