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Hope in the Darkness

Hope in the Darkness National Walk for Youth Mental Health is a cross-country walk for youth mental health that will be led by youth and police officers from across the country starting on April 1, 2018. The walk will provide police officers and youth with the opportunity to take a stand on youth mental health and the supports that are needed nationally.

Intended to be a call to action for Indigenous and non-Indigenous police officers that have worked with youth in crisis, the walk will provide officers with an opportunity to meet with youth and listen to their stories along the way. With support from a number of police services from across the country, Hope in the Darkness will work with schools, youth groups, Indigenous communities, mental health services and families to encourage youth participation in the walk.

For more information please visit us on our website at www.hopeinthedarkness.ca, email us at walkforyouthmentalhealth@gmail.com, call us at 807.464.2226 or check us out on social media:

 

 

Save the Date

Hope in the Darkness

WALK FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH 2018

East Coast Start: April 1, 2018 in St.John’s, Newfoundland (4,663 km) West Coast Start: June 1, 2018 in Masset, British Columbia (3,039 km) Walk Completion Date: August 4, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

The National Walk for Youth Mental Health is a cross-country call to action for Indigenous and non-Indigenous police officers to show youth that police do care. And not only do they care, they will walk across the country for them. The walk will provide police officers an opportunity to meet with youth and listen to their stories along the way.

  • The Walk will bring the country together by having police officers, youth, frontline workers, families and community members walk from the west coast and the east coast to
  • When all of the walkers arrive in Winnipeg on August 4, 2018, the walk will culminate with a celebration in downtown
  • How will the costs of the Walk be covered? The Walk is a not-for-profit fundraising initiative that will utilize a crowdfunding platform to support the costs of the Costs will include meals, RV transportation, gas. The challenge to police officers will include a fundraising challenge for donations.

For more information, contact: Kevin Redsky, Founder, National Walk for Youth Mental Health 2018, Peterborough, Ontario, Email: walkforyouthmentalhealth@gmail.com, Phone: 807.464.2226

Challenge to Police Officers

February 2018

Dear Police Officers and Police Services across Canada;

At Hope in the Darkness, we are issuing a challenge to all police officers, police services and retired police officers across Canada to join the Hope in the Darkness Movement starting on April 1, 2018.

With alarming rates of youth mental health and 10 suicides a day in Canada, it is time for police officers to stand up and do something. Kevin Redsky, a 15 year police officer working with the Anishinabek Police Service, father, grandfather and uncle has personally been touched by youth suicide and has created the walk to send a message to youth in Canada, that we will stand up for them. Hope in the Darkness Walk for Youth Mental Health will be a national platform to bring people together and to provide a voice for young people.

We are asking all police officers to join the challenge by contributing to the effort which will see police officers walk across the country with youth for youth mental health. Your support toward Hope in the Darkness will bring attention to the many youth out there struggling with mental health issues. You can show them police officers and services not only serve and protect, but genuinely care for the well-being and health of our youth.

We are coordinating the walk across the country with partners, sponsors, First Nations and groups, and we are guided by an Advisory Committee of police officers and police services. We will be assembling a team of mental health practitioners who will develop messaging, strategies and tips for police officers to utilize with youth throughout the walk.

The Hope in the Darkness donation levels include:            $50       $250     $500     $750     $1000

Payment can be made by:

Your name will be acknowledged in our promotional materials including banners, signage and advertisements as an officer/police service who joined the Hope in the Darkness Movement. If you would like to get involved further, please contact us for more information at 807.464.2226 or email walkforyouthmentalhealth@gmail.com. Check out our website at www.hopeinthedarkness.ca, Follow us on Twitter at: @YouthMHWalk, Instagram at: @walkforyouthmentalhealth or Facebook at: facebook.com/walkforyouthmentalhealth

Sincerely,

Hope in the Darkness National Walk for Youth Mental Health Team

Calling all Police Officers

CALLING ALL POLICE OFFICERS!!!

CALLING ALL RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS!!!

Hope in the Darkness Walk for Youth Mental Health

We are seeking police officers across Canada to join the Hope in the Darkness Walk for Youth Mental Health! The Hope in the Darkness Walk begins on April 1, 2018 from the east coast and May 15, 2018 from the west coast and we need your help!

Hope in the Darkness is a national walk for police officers and youth to walk together in support of youth mental health. The walk will journey along the TransCanada Highway on daily 40 kilometre intervals. We are looking for officers to assist in completing the walk and ensuring regional representation of officers in:

-Newfoundland (April)                                                     -British Columbia (May)

-Nova Scotia (April-May)                                                 -Alberta (June)

-New Brunswick (May)                                                   -Ontario (June-July)

-Quebec (May)                                                               -Saskatchewan (July)

-Manitoba (July-August)

Join us as a service or individually for one day, one week, one month or the whole walk! We are recruiting officers to lead certain areas of the walk, if you are interested please contact Kevin Redsky at 807.464.2226.

East Coast Start: April 1, 2018 in St.John’s, Newfoundland (to Winnipeg- 4,663 km) West Coast Start: June 1, 2018 in Masset, British Columbia (to Winnipeg- 3,039 km) Walk Completion Date (TBC): August 4, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

The National Walk for Youth Mental Health is a cross-country call to action for Indigenous and non-Indigenous police officers to show youth that police do care. The walk will provide police officers an opportunity to meet with youth and listen to their stories along the way.

When all of the walkers arrive in Winnipeg on August 4, 2018, the walk will culminate with a celebration in downtown Winnipeg. The Walk is a not-for-profit fundraising initiative that will utilize a crowdfunding platform to support the costs of the walk. Costs will include meals, RV transportation, gas. The challenge to police officers also includes a fundraising challenge for donations.

For more information, contact: Kevin Redsky, Founder, Hope in the Darkness at Email: walkforyouthmentalhealth@gmail.com, Phone: 807.464.2226

Online donations: gofundme.com/hopeinthedarkness

Police Escort Request - Canada Wide

February 2018

Attention Police Services;

The Hope in the Darkness Walk for Youth Mental Health begins on April 1, 2018. A cross Canada journey for police officers and youth, the walk will bring awareness to youth mental health and will provide a platform for youth and police to interact in positive and empowering ways.

The mapping of the walk is underway and while we have been working with the TransCanada Highway as our main route, we recognize some areas may be unsafe for the walk.

We are requesting the support of your service in assisting us to identify the safest route.

If your service is available to provide any supports while the walk is in your jurisdiction, we would greatly appreciate it.

The Hope in the Darkness Walk begins on April 1, 2018 from Cape Spear, NFLD and May 15, 2018 from Masset, BC. Police officers and youth will walk together in support of youth mental health on daily 40 kilometre intervals. The Walk will be in the following provinces through the spring and summer season:

Newfoundland (April) Nova Scotia (April-May) New Brunswick (May)
British Columbia (May) Quebec (May) Alberta (June)
Ontario (June-July) Saskatchewan (July) Manitoba (July-August)

 

East Coast Start: April 1, 2018 in St.John’s, Newfoundland (to Winnipeg- 4,663 km) West Coast Start: June 1, 2018 in Masset, British Columbia (to Winnipeg- 3,039 km) Walk Completion Date (TBC): August 4, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Thank you very much for your consideration and we look forward to your participation. Let’s show our youth across Canada that we care for and support them! For more information, contact: Kevin Redsky, Founder, Hope in the Darkness at Email: walkforyouthmentalhealth@gmail.com, Phone: 807.464.2226. Online donations: www.gofundme.com/hopeinthedarkness

Sincerely,

Hope in the Darkness Team

Map of Walk

FAQ

What is Hope in the Darkness?

Hope in the Darkness is a cross-country walk for youth mental health that will occur in spring-summer 2018. The walk will be led by police officers along the TransCanada Highway and will promote youth mental health awareness while promoting a message of hope and empowerment.

Intended to be a call to action for Indigenous and non-Indigenous police officers that have worked with youth in crisis, the walk will show youth that police do care. And not only do they care, but they will walk across the country for them to show that we are all listening.

When is Hope in the The Darkness happening?

The Walk will begin on April 1, 2018 and is scheduled to end in August 2018.

Where will the Walk happen?

The Walk will begin on April 1, 2018 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and will proceed along the TransCanada Highway to Winnipeg, Manitoba. This eastern portion of the walk is 4,663 kilometres between St.John’s and Winnipeg. Walking for 8-10 hours per day, with a target of 40 kilometres a day, it is estimated that it will take 117 days or 3.9 months.

The western portion of the Walk will begin at Masset in Haida Gwaii, BC and will proceed along the TransCanada Highway to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The western portion of the walk is 3,039 kilometres between Masset and Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is estimated that walking at 8-10 hours per day, with a target of 40 kilometres a day, it is estimated that it will take 76 days or 2.5 months to walk from Masset to Winnipeg.

Why is the Walk happening?

The Walk will bring the country together by having police officers, youth, frontline workers, families and community members walk from the west coast and the east coast to the centre of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The vicinity of Winnipeg, is where Indigenous ancestors have travelled for thousands of years to meet, visit and trade. Whiteshell Provincial Park contains the Petroform Site, one of the oldest sacred sites on Turtle Island.

The walk will provide police officers an opportunity to meet with youth and listen to their stories along the way. When all of the walkers arrive in Winnipeg, the walk will culminate with a celebration in downtown Winnipeg. The celebration will feature the walkers, a sacred fire and will present speakers, musicians and youth.

What will happen after the Walk and Celebration are finished?

A national organization for Indigenous youth mental health programs and services will be created that will link with existing networks, programs and services across the country.

How will the costs of the Walk be covered?

The Hope In The Darkness walk will be a not-for-profit fundraising initiative that will utilize a crowdfunding platform to cover the costs of the walk. The costs will include meals, RV transportation, gas. As part of the challenge to police officers, they will be asked to donate and join in the walk.

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Redsky, Founder, Hope in the Darkness

Email: walkforyouthmentalhealth@gmail.com, Phone: 807.464.2226