Hello and Welcome to ProJect 13point1

In September, of 2006 Barry Smith of Waypoints implemented a therapeutic outreach running program for at risk youth. Through participation in the program youth learned simple self empowering skills to take control of their own self-care. Helping the youth along toward a healthy sense of achievement.

Project 13.1 has grown and continues to evolve. The program goal is to work toward inclusive, foundational techniques, mastery skills, and wellness (emotional, mental, social and physical well being) in general. It is also our intent to help teach our youth more about their country and history through travel to other parts of Canada to participate in half marathons.

The program is very simple; run, train, sweat, work, grow. Everyone is equal in the program because we encourage competition not with others but with one’s self. This is very much a part of running because the youth struggle internally to overcome tangible obstacles (hills, distance, weather, etc). Starting out, there is no need to say anything. We have the sun or the rain, the wind in your face, the sounds of cars, there is only the here and the now. Both staff and youth pound the asphalt together. There are no illusions. Young people see firsthand that you sweat and labour just like them. The sky is the limit from this point on, trust, relationship, teamwork, and camaraderie all flourish from this simple act.

Youth will also be provided an opportunity to take part in fundraising initiatives. It is hoped that this will help teach youth that with hard work people are rewarded and that program do have a cost and are not free out right. The youth will take pride in their accomplishments and will use this money to help fund and pay for part of the costs.

Goal setting is a very important life skill that many of the youth we work with have not had the opportunity or guidance to develop. When a youth starts a measured distance around a lake for example, we can help them work toward completing the 2k run. It becomes clear for them that this is the distance they need to complete. We then work with them to finish this goal by continuing to build on previously learned skills. All of these short term goals ease them into preparing for a long term goal to complete a half marathon.

“You don’t run against a bloody stop watch, do you hear? A runner runs against himself, against the best that’s in him. Not against a dead thing of wheels and pulleys. That’s the way to be great, running against yourself.”

-Bill Persons

“The number one goal is to gain a passion for running. To love the morning, to love the trail, to love the pace on the track. And if some kids gets really good at it, that’s cool too.”

-Pat Tyson

Encouraging youth to undertake a scheduled fitness regiment will enhance their mental health, while contributing to their overall growth and development. When youth participate in organized physical activities it has a tremendous impact on their behaviour and lifestyles choices.

The benefits of this program are tremendous. It is a low cost - high gain undertaking which can only help youth develop healthy life choices while at the same time developing a positive peer support group. Running makes the heart stronger. It increases the capacity of blood circulation and of the respiratory system. This is essential for maintaining good fitness.

Another large part of the running program is its educational component. Through this program youth will be provided the opportunity to see and learn about parts of Canada they otherwise would not have had the privilege to see. Our target clientele comes from both troubled and low income backgrounds. Traveling and learning about the rest of Canada will help facilitate an awareness and connection to society. Helping them see that we live in and promote a community of equality and sharing. The scale and spectacle which a trip like this creates will shape these youth and leave lasting impressions and experience that will last them for the rest of their lives. Youth become self empowered and utilize the skills they learned to continue their own self-care program.

To date through a combination of fund raising and Waypoints support we have taken a total of 12 youth to three different half marathons in Canada. They are: The Bluenose, Halifax, Nova Scotia; the Prince Edward Island Marathon, Charlottetown; and the Ottawa Marathon, Ontario. We are now taking six youth to take part in “Marathon by the Sea”, St. John, New Brunswick, on September 26, 2009. This is a huge milestone because it will close out the Atlantic region for our running program.

Waypoints is a not for profit organizations which is dependant on government, donation, and community partnerships to deliver new and expanded programs. With this in mind we are pleased to thank CYN (Community Youth Network) for helping to make it possible to put off this trip to take 6 youth to St. John, New Brunswick, to take part in the “Marathon by the Sea” run.

“Most people run a race to see who is the fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.”

-Steve Prefontaine

'Purchase a copy of Sweets & Treats ' - 'The book contains dozens of recipes for you and the whole family. 'If you are interested in obtaining copies of the book, contact Project 13.1 for details. 100% of the proceeds go towards Project 13.1 - Click on the cover to view a sneak peek