Community Partners: A Q&A with Rachael Lipetz of Take a Hike Foundation

We're thrilled to highlight Take a Hike Foundation for our next Community Partners Q&A. We interviewed Rachael Lipetz, Senior Manager of Philanthropy, about the important work the organization does and why support matters.

In two to three sentences, tell us a bit about your organization.

Take a Hike is a full-time mental health and well-being program that embeds clinical counselling and outdoor land-based learning into an alternate education classroom. We serve vulnerable youth aged 13-18 and empower them to have the skills and resilience they need graduate high school, build healthy relationships, and achieve success—however they define it. Currently, we have 15 programs across BC serving up to 300 youth and are planning to expand to more locations in the coming years.

Tell us why support from organizations such as OpenRoad Foundation is important for charities and non-profits?

Take a Hike depends fully on donations to operate, meaning without the support of community leaders like OpenRoad Foundation Take a Hike wouldn’t be able to provide young people with the vital mental health and educational supports they need to transform their lives. It’s also important that youth know that they have a wider community that cares about their well-being and is there to support them as they navigate challenges and achieve their full potential. Support from OpenRoad helps power our work and bolsters our impact, ensuring we make a difference in the lives of each youth that comes to Take a Hike.

How did our grant help Take a Hike Foundation?

We are so grateful for the OpenRoad Foundation’s support and investment in Take a Hike’s programming. Grant funding has helped us to provide barrier-free programming for up to 300 youth in our 15 programs across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and Interior regions. Your gift has provided vulnerable young people in our programs with mental health and educational resources that will help them build the skills and resilience they need to graduate high school and achieve success. With OpenRoad’s help, we can ensure that youth are not left behind and that they have what they need to create a better future for themselves and their families.

What's coming up for Take a Hike Foundation (or, what's new)?

Take a Hike is celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2025! We’re excited to mark this momentous occasion later this year with our programs, community, donors, alumni, and many more.  In addition, we are excited to expand our programming and open our first program outside of BC this coming fall, with a program launching in Ontario.

What's your favourite part of working with Take a Hike Foundation?

My favourite part of working at Take a Hike is how everyone is aligned with the mission. Everyone works hard for the youth that we serve and truly want to see them succeed. We also cultivate a culture of safety and belonging in all levels of the organization, from classrooms to the office, and that allows everyone to show up as themselves and also become the best versions of themselves.

To learn more about Take a Hike Foundation, please visit takeahikefoundation.org.