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Blue skies ahead

Zero Ceiling captures the imaginations of street youth and mountain people

You fall down, and then you get back up again.

It’s a fitting parable for life, and a true test of character. It speaks to our ability to find the silver lining in bad situations, and to rise up to meet our challenges. Most of all it’s about persistence paying off.

Getting back up again also happens to be the whole key to snowboarding – a parallel that wasn’t lost on Chris Winter, the founder and president of Zero Ceiling.

More than five years ago, in December of 1997, Winter decided to share some of his own good fortune, his wealth of experiences and passion for the mountains, with the less fortunate.

In his trips to the city, Winter had seen what was happening in the poorer communities of Vancouver, such as the downtown east side, which ranks among the poorest neighbourhoods in all of Canada.

Every time he drove through these areas, it seemed there were more homeless and at-risk youths on every corner, and that less was being done to help underprivileged kids move ahead with their lives.

"These were not all bad kids," explains Winter. "They’re smart, they’re funny. They’re not all that different from everyone else, they’ve just had a few bad breaks.

"Some of them left home because of a bad situation there, some were kicked out for things. And then you have kids who have some of their own problems to work out, and just fell into the lifestyle, being on the street. Once you’re in, it’s hard to get out.

"There really aren’t that many opportunities for these kids to get ahead in the city. There are a lot of programs, but funding is an issue, and there are just so many kids out there. Nobody is going to walk up to them on the street and offer them a job and a place to live."

Winter didn’t set out to start up a charity, it just kind of worked that way.

At the time he was thinking about starting up a tour company that caters to the youth market. He was going to buy a van to transport his young clients around and came up with an idea to use it for youth groups whenever it wasn’t being used for business.

The tour company never materialized, but word got out on Winter’s plan to bring underprivileged youth to Whistler, and found its way to Whistler-Blackcomb.

"The phone rang and rang, and within 24 hours I had passes, I had equipment, I had instructors. It all happened really fast," says Winter.

He hooked up with a youth shelter in Vancouver, Dusk to Dawn Street Youth Resource Centre, and they sent up a group of at-risk youths that they felt could benefit from some time away from the city.

"The kids had a blast. Everyone who helped out was feeling good, the kids went home feeling good, and I was feeling really, really good – to this day I am amazed how receptive Whistler businesses were to help out," Winter says.

"(Since then) I’ve realized that people in this community love to be able to give something back. We’re all pretty involved in our lives and focused on our own priorities, but when we’re given an opportunity to help out and share a little of what we do, we’re there. It just snowballed."

Since that first tour, Zero Ceiling has brought more than 700 street youth to Whistler on day visits in both summer and winter. It has expanded its focus to include First Nations and communities outside of Vancouver, and has instituted programs through groups like the Whistler Chamber of Commerce to teach street youth job skills so they can move up to Whistler on a more permanent basis.

Zero Ceiling became a registered non-profit charity in 2001, and was granted official charitable status last July.

Now Zero Ceiling is also poised to move east, expanding to Mont Tremblant in Quebec next year. Tremblant is close to Montreal, and, like Whistler-Blackcomb, it’s an Intrawest Resort – Intrawest is a Zero Ceiling supporter.

Zero Ceiling also sees potential for other programs across the country, starting with markets like Calgary and Edmonton, as well as the potential to expand into the U.S.

"Canada has mountains and ski areas from coast to coast so we’re only really limited by the resources we have, and those are increasing all the time," says Winter. "And the benefits are right there. We don’t need surveys or anything, we can actually point to kids that have turned their lives around in some way by participating in this program."

In the first few years, the program hosted about 80 kids a year, but over the past few seasons that has expanded to more than 120 youth a year as funding has improved, more youth shelters are taking part, and more volunteers – including past Zero Ceiling participants – have gotten involved.

Although a day trip is a short period of time, Winter says it can make a huge difference to at-risk youth who may not realize what’s out there, and could use a bit of cheering up.

"We’ve tried to measure the benefit of our day visits and it’s not an easy thing to do, but we hear through the grapevine, and we see in the kids’ faces at the end of the day, that it’s having an impact. How could they not be stoked after a day on the slopes?

"It’s a day out of the concrete jungle, looking Mother Nature in the face, and learning to ride," says Winter.

"We’re using sports to reach out to kids. There are no lectures or anything like that, it’s just a chance to come up to the mountains and try snowboarding for a day, no strings attached. Hopefully they have fun, and get a sense that there’s a lot more out there in the world than what they see day after day in the city."

Winter says the program revolves around snowboarding because it appeals to the age group, but also because it’s easier than skiing to pick up in a day or two. The program may expand to include skiing in the future, but right now the goal is to get the kids up and making turns, and feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"A lot of these kids can pick up snowboarding in a day. Some of them don’t, and they have fun too. We don’t ease them into it, either, because for the most part they’re pretty fearless, and quite a few of them are pretty good athletes and do a lot of skateboarding," says Winter. "I think most of them would be disappointed if they spent the whole day on the bunny slope and never made it up to the top."

Once a participant gets the hang of snowboarding, you can see a profound difference in that person, according to Winter. "These are kids who maybe don’t have that many personal victories to celebrate.

"One of the goals of the program is to build self-esteem, and this is one way to do it. Any first-time snowboarder will tell you the same thing."

Some of the students in the day program have since made the decision to go back to school and get off the streets, says Winter, while others were inspired to take the next step in the Zero Ceiling program and become snowboarding instructors.

Over the last four years, Zero Ceiling participants who are enthusiastic have been invited to Whistler to earn their Level 1 snowboard instructor certificate. The program starts with a six-day training week – some of the youths have only been snowboarding a few times – followed by a two-day Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors Level One course a few weeks later.

To be selected, youths have to be over 17, pass a screening process that’s being administered by their youth outreach groups, and pass Whistler-Blackcomb’s own interview process. They have to genuinely want to improve their situations, and be willing to put in some hard work to make that happen.

Youths who have ongoing substance abuse issues and violent histories are not considered for the program, although Winter hopes the prospect of one day taking the instructor course will inspire at-risk youths to work through those problems as well.

Once in Whistler, the selected riders are provided with three meals a day, accommodation, and opportunities to try some of the other recreational activities offered around town.

Candidates who pass this rigorous program and earn their CASI certifications are then invited to teach snowboarding with the Whistler-Blackcomb Snowboard school, a job that comes with a place to live in staff accommodation. The people who fall short can try again in the future.

So far 20 youths have gone through this program and almost without exception it has led to an improvement in their lives, says Winter. Although there have been a few cases of youths going back to the streets, most have taught in Whistler for at least one full season. Afterwards, some of the graduates have moved on to other things, such as school or jobs in the city, but many have stayed in Whistler.

Of the graduates that stay in Whistler, many have stayed with Whistler-Blackcomb. One graduate has already earned his CASI Level 2 certificate, and others are working towards that goal as well.

Others have stayed in town, learning trades they feel they are better suited for – one Zero Ceiling graduate is currently training to become a chef.

At the beginning of the winter, nine snowboard instructor program graduates were still working in Whistler, and four more have taken jobs on the mountain this season after completing the course in December.

The key to the success of the program, according to Winter, has always been the enthusiasm and support of Whistler-Blackcomb.

"Since the beginning, they have been there with instructors and passes and equipment rentals and food and everything. Without them, there wouldn’t be a Zero Ceiling," says Winter.

Winter also says there are hundreds of individuals and dozens of businesses that have contributed to the program from the Whistler community, and fundraisers have been well-supported. Now that Zero Ceiling has its charitable status, says Winter, the sky really is the limit.

When asked what it is about Zero Ceiling that inspires so many people and businesses to contribute their time, money and resources, Winter has a theory about mountain people.

"I think a lot of us see ourselves as the luckiest people on earth, even if we don’t have a lot of money. Most of us wouldn’t trade our lives for anything," he says.

"People here support all kinds of charities, and we’re always willing to pass the hat around if someone gets hurt or needs something.

"I think with Zero Ceiling, the people who live up here really do really believe that getting these kids out of the city and into the mountains is going to make a difference in their lives, because the mountains made such a difference in our own lives."

Snowboard Instructors and Peer Mentors

The transition from the streets to Whistler is not always an easy one for graduates of the Zero Ceiling snowboard instructors program. It’s an expensive place to live, work is often seasonal, with gaps between employment periods, and there is a thriving party scene you can’t avoid – you’re not going to get away from alcohol or drugs here.

That’s where Greg McDonnell and Joanna Woods come in.

McDonnell is the Whistler Youth Outreach Worker, and a board member of Zero Ceiling for the past three years.

As a Youth Outreach Worker, McDonnell provides assistance and guidance to young people in Whistler, everyone from high school kids to the hordes of young seasonal employees who are away from home for the first time. The Zero Ceiling youth present a unique and rewarding challenge, says McDonnell.

"There is a huge difference between the local kids I work with and the Zero Ceiling youth. The Zero Ceiling kids come from a low socio-economic background, while probably 80 per cent of the kids up here are fairly well off, have a good family background, a good upbringing. The (Zero Ceiling graduates) do come with some greater needs," he says.

"There’s a really wonderful partnership between Whistler Community Services and Zero Ceiling right now, and everything that’s available is being made available to them. These kids are starting with zero.

"I can help open doors for (Zero Ceiling graduates) in the community. I’ve helped a few find work in the off-season. We’ve worked through addiction issues, social challenges – there are some big hoops to jump through to move up here. It’s a huge cultural shift."

There are also a lot of important life skills that need to be learned.

"Some of these kids have never had a bank account. They’ve never paid bills or had a phone hooked up. They don’t know what it means to stay on top of things.

"They need to understand that they have to show up to work on time, ready to work. You have to have a good attitude, and be smart with your money," says McDonnell.

In some ways they have to be held to a higher standard, at least in the beginning, because if they don’t seize this opportunity, they don’t have a lot of other options. "They can’t call home for money, like other kids," McDonnell says.

McDonnell says that the Zero Ceiling kids are a good fit into the Whistler mix, although some people have been less than welcoming.

"They do dress a little differently, they talk a little differently. For the most part the community is willing to accept them, but we have seen some intolerance," he says.

Only their supervisors know who the Zero Ceiling youth are, but word always seems to get out. The stigma of being an at-risk youth has been tough for some of the graduates, while others are genuinely proud of their achievements.

Regardless, McDonnell believes the Zero Ceiling youth are better adapted to life in Whistler in many ways. For the most part they are resourceful, intelligent, and non-judgmental of others. They can get by with only a little money in their pockets, which is a common Whistler problem for any young person, and are passionate about their jobs.

They are also a colourful addition to the town.

"Whistler is so homogenous in a lot of ways – the kids listen to the same music, they wear the same clothes, they aspire to the same jobs. In a lot of ways, the Zero Ceiling youth are a lot more well-rounded. They have seen a lot more of the world, from a very different kind of perspective.

"Some of them have been on their own for a lot of years, and they survived. One of them left home with 50 cents in his pocket and hitched his way across the country to be here," says McDonnell. "When they make up their minds to do something, they do it."

The first few weeks in Whistler are crucial for a new recruit. McDonnell shows them where community services are, such as the Re-Use-It Centre and the Food Bank, and helps to set them up with the bare necessities of life in Whistler – linen, food, snowboard equipment, and warm clothes.

When it comes to snowboard equipment, the Whistler-Blackcomb rental shop has picked up most of the tab, while Salomon and Rossignol have donated boards in previous years. Pro snowboarders have also kicked in, contributing some of their equipment to the Zero Ceiling instructors.

Once they are set up, McDonnell stays in close contact with the youth with the help of peer mentors – Zero Ceiling graduates who donate their time and experience to help new recruits get adjusted.

The Peer Mentorship Program, which is in its second year, has already been a tremendous success.

This program pairs new Zero Ceiling arrivals with graduates, who have received some training through the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. The graduates are from the streets and low-income communities themselves, so they can relate to the new arrivals, and have been through just about everything the new guys are going to face in Whistler.

"They hung out on the same corners, so they know what’s what. They also set a good example, because the peer mentors are proof that if you can stick it out, things are going to improve for you," says McDonnell.

Once the season gets into full swing, the Zero Ceiling board members and peer educators take a step back, although McDonnell continues to have regular contact with the graduates.

When the season ends, he helps the youth find summer employment and housing until the next season.

"There’s no time limit for my involvement," McDonnell say. "If they need anything at any time, they can come to me. We’re here to help as long as anyone needs that help."

Joanna Woods is on the Zero Ceiling Board of Directors, and as the program director she is deeply involved in every aspect of Zero Ceiling.

She helps to organize the day visits, and believes that one day is enough to reach many kids. Although the participants may not learn to snowboard in that time, the fact that they are being taught by Zero Ceiling graduates leaves a huge impression on them.

"Carter (Hack) and Tyler (Rivard, two graduates) are just amazing role models. The power of that is just immeasurable," says Woods.

"They are a huge part of our growing network of support. We realize that youth do need to make their own decisions in life, but they need the information that the network provides to help them make healthy choices. We’ve found that it’s a much better experience for at-risk youth to get that support from their peers."

To succeed, a Zero Ceiling graduate has to be highly motivated, says Woods. "In the interview session, when we get to know the youth, we make sure that they know it’s hard work. Whistler can also be a hard place to live, and they need to understand that as well."

Now that they’ve found a way to reach street youths from the Lower Mainland, Woods says the next step is to find ways to better reach day visitors from Mount Currie and other First Nations groups. So far Zero Ceiling has held two separate day visits from the band, and plans to expand the program in the future.

"Currently we plan to get to know their people, leaders and community and ultimately earn their trust, and then we will go from there," says Winter. "But it is definitely a different approach than what we are used to."

For Woods, that will mean eventually recruiting peer mentors from Mount Currie as well, which, as she learned through the Zero Ceiling snowboard instructor program, is asking a lot.

"Peer mentoring is not easy. Our graduates do volunteer a lot of their free time to help the program and other graduates. We don’t ask them to, and they’re not obligated in any way, but the group we have is just incredible. If we have a fundraising event, they’re there helping out any way they can. If a new group is coming up from the city, they give up a day to teach them and hang out. If the media want to do a story on Zero Ceiling, they are willing to help," says Woods.

"Part of the reason we’re in such a strong position right now is the fact that we have resources like Carter and Tyler, and more coming up behind them. Not all of them want the attention, and we respect that, but all of our graduates have given something back. We hope that in a few years it will be the graduates that are running Zero Ceiling," Woods says.

Last season Woods helped to organize another first for the Zero Ceiling program.

A group of four successful graduates were taken on a two-day avalanche course at Callaghan Country. The avalanche course was added so that the graduates could continue to learn new skills, and, as Winter put it "it’s another opportunity to get deeper into the mountain life."

Woods says it’s exciting to be able to offer opportunities to youth, and that more opportunities should open up as Zero Ceiling continues to expand. For example, some of the street youth and First Nations participants may not be suited to be snowboard instructors, but could be good in other careers.

Whistler-Blackcomb, which now considers some of the Zero Ceiling graduates among their top employees, is open to this kind of expansion.

"There’s so much we can do, and so many kids that we could reach in different ways," says Woods.

"We’re not saying that Whistler is the place where people can go and solve your problems, but in reality there aren’t too many places that offer this much opportunity.

"You can find jobs and staff housing, there is lots of recreation, the people are healthy and positive, and there is a wide array of community services available to help people get settled. For a lot of youths at-risk, it is the right place to go."

What’s next for Zero Ceiling

Zero Ceiling is an ongoing story, although a few plot lines have already reached a successful conclusion. The fundraisers and growth will continue, but the group always needs more energy to sustain itself. One of the Zero Ceiling graduates has joined the board of directors, which is a positive step says Winter.

"It has been a lot of work and a lot of time over the years, that’s for sure," says Winter.

"We took on a huge load, right the beginning, and it’s just increased every year. We could be bringing up a busload from the city every day if we had the resources."

There are already long waitlists at youth centres in the city, filled with new people and past participants who want to come to Whistler again. More people are stepping up to help shoulder the load, which is helping, says Winter.

Although he started out working with the youth directly, Winter and the other board members now spend a lot of their time tackling administrative duties, such as organizing fundraisers and applying for grants.

So far this year they have received $2,000 from the Festival of Lights, $4,000 from the Celebration 2010, and $10,000 from a grant-in-aid from the municipality. Their main fundraiser of the spring is the April 18 photography auction at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival.

As with all Zero Ceiling events, the organizers are expecting a huge crowd for the auction, as mountain people bid for photographs by many of Whistler’s top photographers, like Curtis Croy, Blake Jorgensen, Mattias Fredriksson, Jon Humphries, Grant Brittain, Paul Morrison, Eric Berger and Dano Pendygrasse.

There are other ways to raise money, but for Zero Ceiling, the auctioning off of mountain art is natural fit – both reflect a deep love and reverence for the mountains and the desire to share that vision with others.

According to Winter, the name Zero Ceiling was chosen because it can mean so many things. For a weather watcher, it means a sky without clouds, and unlimited visibility. For a skier or snowboarder, it means a blue-bird day on the slopes. For street youth, it means a day outside, and unlimited opportunity – sometimes there’s nowhere to go but up.

For more information on Zero Ceiling, or to make a donation, visit www.zeroceiling.org.



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