HOPE Student Association supports community
Programs and provides Professional Development
By Shuana Niessen
Photos Credit : Brian Lewis
Youth and mentors from the Growing Young Movers ( GYM ) program participated in the HOPE Bike-a-thon
This academic year , HOPE has been active in its support of community programs . Dr . Lee Schaefer , faculty liaison for HOPE ( Health Outdoor Physical Education ) Students Association , explains its purpose : “ Hope was created over 10 years ago and is a student-run organization focused on providing quality physical education experiences to youth .” HOPE , through a variety of fundraisers , has provided equipment as well as resources to a number of community schools and initiatives . “ This year , HOPE organized a bike-a-thon that raised $ 1780 dollars . Given their involvement in the Growing Young Movers ( GYM ) program , they chose to use this money to purchase running shoes for each of the students in the Growing Young Movers Program ,” says Schaefer . On this experience , Nicole Sinclair , a HOPE member writes , “ With this bike race , we gathered together to ride stationary bikes , [ to ] raise awareness and funds for a worthwhile cause . We had the pleasure of having some of the youth and high school
mentors from the Growing Young Movers program come to the University and ride with us .” HOPE members are also working to provide movement opportunities for youth with Ranch Ehrlo and the new Seven Stones school in Regina .
Along with fundraising and involvement in community initiatives such as GYM , Ranch Ehrlo , and Seven Stones school , HOPE members host and organize professional development opportunities for their members as well as the community . On March 21 , they held their annual Professional development Day , which included provincial organizations such as
Saskatchewan Physical Education Association ( SPCA ), Saskatchewan Health Education Association ( SHEA ), and Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association ( SOEEA ). Physical and Health Education Canada ' s , Dr . Stu Robbins was the keynote speaker . �
HOPE teaches Seven Stones School students to play frisbee
Photo Credit : Melissa Gavel Photos Credit : Jason Grayston
Faculty of Education Education News Fall 2014 / Winter 2015 Page 9