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Media Releases 2005
INNOVATIVE SNOWBOARD PROGRAM IN WHISTLER ENTERS IN NINTH YEAR IN HELPING DISADVANTAGED YOUTH
Whistler, B.C. (December 22, 2005): The Zero Ceiling Society of Canada, in partnership with the RBC Foundation and 2010 Legacies Now are sending disadvantaged youth to the slopes this winter to take part in the Snowboard Instructor Program, training youth to be snowboard instructors at Whistler Blackcomb.
“It is important to provide young people with opportunities to further their development and realize their talent,” said Joan McIntyre, MLA for West – Vancouver Garibaldi. “The Zero Ceiling Society is making a positive impact not only in Whistler but, more importantly, on the youth they are helping. It is a great organization providing a great service and is worthy of our support and encouragement in serving B.C.’s most vulnerable youth.”
"RBC is proud to support the exceptional work that Zero Ceiling is doing with inner-city youth throughout the Lower Mainland," said Jennifer Toderan, Manager of RBC Foundation in BC. "The young people who get the opportunity to participate in the Snowboard Instructor Program will not only hone their athletic abilities, but also develop leadership skills and marketable job skills."
Zero Ceiling assists disadvantaged youth achieve their full potential as individuals, giving youth the hope and motivation to work toward creating a rewarding lifestyle of their choosing and becoming contributing members of their community. Founded in Whistler in 1997, The Zero Ceiling Society of Canada has helped over 1000 disadvantaged youth visit the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb and other ski resorts across Canada.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the RBC Foundation and Zero Ceiling to share this unique opportunity with inner-city youth,” said Marion Lay, President and CEO, 2010 Legacies Now. “Many graduates of the program are now successfully working and living in Whistler.”
“I am very excited about the partnership between 2010 Legacies Now, the RBC Foundation and the Zero Ceiling Society,” said Carter Hack Zero, Zero Ceiling board member, and program graduate. “Our goal is to help more youth in the Lower Mainland and this will make it easier to do this.” Hack, a former Vancouver street youth, is a graduate of the Snowboard Instructor Program and has been living in Whistler for over five years.
“Receiving support from the RBC Foundation and 2010 Legacies Now is a great step forward for us as we work towards making Zero Ceiling more sustainable for years to come,” said Chris Winter, Founder and Executive Director, the Zero Ceiling Society. “We are entering our ninth year of operations and partnerships like these go a long way in helping us achieve our overall vision.”
About Zero Ceiling
The Zero Ceiling Society is an unbiased charitable society that offers innovative snowboarding programs to at-risk youth and street youth from Vancouver and Montreal to the slopes of Whistler, BC, the Laurentians and Mont Tremblant, Quebec. Through adventure-based learning, employment skills training and personal development, Zero Ceiling is making a difference. For more information, visit www.ZeroCeiling.org.
About RBC Financial Group
RBC Financial Group (RBC) has been named Canada’s Most Respected Corporation in the category of "Corporate Social Responsibility" for 10 consecutive years in the annual KPMG/Ipsos Reid poll. In addition to having one of the leading community care programs in Canada, RBC is a founding member of Imagine Canada, committed to donating at least one per cent of its annual net income before taxes to charitable causes. In 2004, RBC invested more than $59 million in communities across North America, including $39 million in donations to charitable organizations (of which more than $30 million was given to Canadian charities) and $20 million invested in sponsorships.
About 2010 Legacies Now
2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport & recreation, arts, literacy, and volunteerism. With social sustainability and inclusiveness as key guiding principles of the Games and its Member Partners, 2010 LegaciesNow is working towards an inclusive Games that celebrates diversity among groups such as: women, youth, aboriginal people, inner-city residents, people living with a disability and British Columbians of all cultures.
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Media Contacts:
Ian Buckley
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
604-659-1294
John Groves
Advisor, External Communications
The RBC Foundation
604-668-2651
Chris Winter
Founder and Executive Director
The Zero Ceiling Society of Canada
604-730-2659
Marnie Walter
Program Manager
Zero Ceiling
604-938-0628
