Vancouver
Vancouver was the first city to host H.E.R.O.S., a program using the game of hockey to help build the self–esteem and life skills of at–risk youth.
Created in 2000 by a non–profit, privately funded organization, the program is located in the city's Downtown Eastside. It's a neighbourhood noted for being one of the poorest and most crime–ridden districts in Canada.
Many of these children come from single–parent, aboriginal or new immigrant families. They struggle to survive while living well below the poverty line.
Children growing up in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside may walk past crack houses along sidewalks littered with syringes and condoms, while prostitutes service clients in alleyways. These children cross the road to face yet another barrage of street–corner bullying from competing gangs – all before starting their school day.
It takes a lot of effort and courage to walk on the right side of the street in the Downtown Eastside. That's where H.E.R.O.S. comes in – offering kids a fun, supportive educational program that helps them make the right choices in life.
Toronto
The Regent Park neighbourhood of Toronto was selected as the second H.E.R.O.S. franchise operation in 2005.
The area is surrounded by aging concrete towers that provide low–income housing. Many recent immigrant families from Sudan, Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic live here.
Most of the parents in this neighbourhood work 24/7 at multiple, low-paying jobs. They struggle to keep their heads above water and support their growing families.
When their kids leave home in the morning, they walk past drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes and gang members before they even reach school.
H.E.R.O.S. is a non–profit organization that uses hockey to build self–esteem and teach life skills to at–risk youth. The organization aims to help kids growing up in the highest–risk neighbourhoods of Canada's major cities.
H.E.R.O.S.' goal is to help these families by offering a positive lifestyle option and support for their children to choose a different path.
Calgary
H.E.R.O.S. launched its third operation in Calgary's Forest Lawn district in 2006.
Located in the city's southeast, it looks like many other standard issue, middle–class neighbourhoods across Canada.
But under the surface of strip malls, mini–marts, vacant sports fields and long sweeps of low–rise houses, a darker picture emerges.
Calgary, with its boomtown energy and lure of big money and plentiful jobs, also faces increasing crime and social decay.
This area has one of the highest homicide rates in the province. Next to neatly painted bungalows are unkempt, ramshackle buildings fronting grow ops, crack houses or illegal massage parlors.
A scattering of trailer parks indicates a large transient population and a city's fraying infrastructure racing to catch up.
Kids raised in the Forest Lawn area face the double challenge of learning to make positive lifestyle choices while being surrounded by the mentality of making a quick buck and fast living.
Through its hockey program for at-risk youth, H.E.R.O.S. provides these children with a commitment to strong social values. The organization also provides a clear understanding of effective life skills to help them build a solid foundation for the future and to make healthy life choices.
Edmonton
The Beverly area in Edmonton is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. It's also the site of H.E.R.O.S. fourth franchise operation, to be launched in the fall of 2007.
Over the years, Beverly has been home to each new wave of immigrants looking to forge a fresh life. Money is tight for many families living in the blocks of rundown walk–up, post–war–era apartment buildings.
A sign on a lawn reads: "Prostitution will not be tolerated."
There's weariness among residents who’ve seen it all too many times before. "Neighborhood Watch" warnings feature prominently on most gates and well–lit doorways.
There's a cluster of pawnshops along Beverly's main drag. A few doors down, a tired café serves up toast and coffee. There's no cappuccino or fresh croissants here.
Kids raised in Beverly face the quadruple threat common to all depressed inner-city neighbourhoods: drugs, prostitution, crime and gangs.
Mostly, these are children of parents on income assistance or the working poor. With few economic resources, they struggle to make healthy life choices and dream of a brighter future.
H.E.R.O.S. – through its hockey program – helps at–risk youth build self–esteem and life skills.
It offers these children a different picture – one filled with fun, respect, hard work and discipline, but most of all, hope.
Supporting H.E.R.O.S. is a great thing to do for those wanting healthy development for ALL Canadian children
Clyde Hertzman MD, MSc, FRCPC Director, Human Learning Partnership of BC UBC Faculty of Medicine
H.E.R.O.S. has been such an unbelievable experience for our students. Thank you so much for your generosity, insight and nurturing. I am astounded at what this program is providing to our students, who thought they were going to be the ones giving their time (as mentors). Instead they have received so much encouragement and support…. I am exceptionally grateful for what this program has provided for our students both as a group and individually.
Sheryl McNamara, High School Youth and Family Worker, Calgary, AB
Our company has been involved since the beginning as a sponsor and I personally have witnessed first hand the change in our H.E.R.O.S. kids over the years. I can't imagine a more worthy cause than to help a child turn their life around.
Terron Falk, V.P. CIBC Wood Gundy, Park Place, H.E.R.O.S. Board member
This a wonderful organization that helps kids in need boost their self-esteem, improve their physical fitness and develop important social skills such as teamwork, commitment and loyalty.
Pamela McDonald Senior Director, Community Affairs. TELUS