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IGNITE2024 NatureNurture
A Mental Health Fundraising Gala in Support of Nanaimo's Volunerable and At-Risk Youth!
Vancouver Island Conference Centre
101 Gordon St. Nanaimo, BC
Doors Open: 6:00pm
Show Starts: 7:30pm
Why IGNITE2024?
Why IGNITE2024?
Meet Our Donor Recipients
Meet Our Donor Recipients
Take a Hike Foundation - Nanaimo
Learning Alternative School
Learning Alternative School
Take a Hike partners with public school districts to engage vulnerable youth in a full-time mental health and emotional well-being program embedded in an alternate education classroom.
Their mission is to empower vulnerable youth with the skills and resilience they need to graduate high school, build healthy relationships, navigate the challenges of young adulthood, and achieve success - however they define it. This is done by engaging youth in intensive and continuous clinical counselling, regular outdoor adventures, and supporting youth in a safe and caring community.
Over the past twenty years, Take a Hike has developed a proven, trauma-informed, evidence-based program model that has transformed the lives of hundreds of youth in B.C. along with their families.
Self-paced, individualized education plans and a focus on experiential learning give youth the opportunity to relate to academics differently and take all the courses required to graduate high school.
As well as spending 4-days a week in the classroom, youth spend one day each week learning outdoors where they can test and apply knowledge to real-life situations. Youth report increased engagement in academics and course retention by learning experientially and in the wilderness.
Embedded in each classroom is a full-time registered clinical counsellor who provides continuous, intensive support, helping youth develop social and emotional skills, work through challenges and address mental health concerns.
Take a Hike is one of the few educational or outdoor programs in British Columbia that has dedicated mental health services woven into the program. For many of our youth, Take a Hike is their first encounter with mental health services.
The ‘Learning Alternatives’ school is a dynamic blend of forward-thinking education and personalized programming.
Priding themselves on individualized academic plans that focus on the student’s strengths, they use innovative strategies to help progress students in areas that need improvement.
The ‘Learning Alternatives’ team is composed of creative teachers, supportive education assistants, caring child/youth/family support workers, mental health clinicians, and forward thinking teachers. The goal is to guide each student to discover personal success and help them become productive and successful members of the community.
Believing in authentic, meaningful experiences that connect students to the natural world, they work tirelessly to inspire sustainable values and behaviours. The ‘Circle of Courage’ is woven throughout all of the programs. This model of youth development is based on the principles of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. There are seven different Learning Alternatives Programs to support various needs of each student and their individualized learning. These programs offer students hope, guidance and support to not only achieve their educational goals but to support their social, emotional and mental well-being.
The Venue
The Venue
Come experience the Vancouver Island Conference Centre as it undergoes a transformation and brings you to feel as though you are in Nature from the moment you walk in until the end of the event.
Come experience the Vancouver Island Conference Centre as it undergoes a transformation and brings you to feel as though you are in Nature from the moment you walk in until the end of the event.
Meet Some of Our Performers
Meet Some of Our Performers
Dave McGrath
Dave McGrath
Community Drum Circle
Dave McGrath, aka "Voodoo Dave" is a very experienced and enthusiastic drumming teacher/performer. He has worked with a wide variety of groups and individuals,, sharing his passion for percussion. "Drumming has had a profound effect on my mental health in a very positive way and I have witnessed it in others time and time again".
Chrissandra
Chrissandra
Sound Healing Therapist/Drummer
Chrissandra is an expressive arts therapist, counsellor and a certified sound healing therapist. She has worked and played with people who have experienced trauma, addiction and various mental struggles. She has also worked as a professional artist around the world, as well as a teacher of piano for many years.
Mo Moshiri
Mo Moshiri
Musician
Known for his thought-provoking lyrics and powerful performances, Mo uses his voice and talents to address critical issues such as a mental health and social impact. Through his music, he aims to inspire change and raise awareness about topics that matter. A dedicated advocate for mental health and social justice, Mo continues to make a significant impact both within the hiip hop community and beyond.
Wander Lost
Wander Lost
Burlesque & Drag Performer
Wander Lost is a mother, student, veteran and mental health advocate for themselves and others. Being able to have access to group sessions of DBT as well as solo sessions with PTSD therapists, they have slowly started to piece back the beautiful world for their children and themselves. The expression of self worth and love translate into their dance expressions wether it's sexy in burlesque or camp in drag.
Weslie Gould
Weslie Gould
Circus Freaks
Owner and operator of Parksville Circus freaks, Weslie has been entertaing the community and supporting local talent by giving them a place to be themselves, be creative and icrease their confidence.
Using silks, lyra and poles, Weslie and her team creates outstanding performances that leaves the audience wanting more!
Raptors Duncan
Raptors Duncan
Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are silent predators from the sky, swooping down with speed, precision, and deadly intent. But they are also vulnerable. Unfortunately, raptors are declining at an alarming rate due to human influence. Globally, nearly 30% of raptors are considered threatened, vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. Thankfully, there is hope.
The Raptors brings people closer to birds of prey. Their goal is to educate, illuminate and inspire a sense of personal responsibility for the future of both birds of prey and the planet.
Jesse DeWispelaere
Jesse DeWispelaere
Spoken Word Poetry
Jesse DeWispelaere is a 31-year-old father of four beautiful children. He was born and raised on Vancouver Island. After fighting a decade and a half’s battle with addiction he found one thing that ultimately made a difference in his life, the life of his loved ones, and the society he grew up in… art. Through his facets of stand-up comedy, music, and poetry he has learned that there truly is no problem that a laugh, a poem, and some rhythm can’t help carry!
Shirley A. Tease
Shirley A. Tease
Burlesque + Drag Performer
“Burlesque and drag has allowed for personal exploration while providing entertainment, it has always been a place for belonging and acceptance. I have loved my journey through this radical self expression and the joy it awakens inside. This has always been a space for self love. My troupe promotes body positivity no matter where you are in life, there is always a spot for you on the stage".
Serra Moanie
Serra Moanie
Burlesque Performer
Serra Moanie is a life long ceremonialist and integrative healer turned performance artist. Serra Moanie is more than just an act of entertainment.. they are an act of rebellion and (r)evolution. Simultaneously a giant middle finger to the establishments and systems of control and oppression, and a love letter to imaginal humanity.
Nicholas
Nicholas
Opera
"I have a passion for singing. This event is a perfect opportunity for mer to share my voice".
Veronica Stone
Veronica Stone
Burlesque + Drag Performer
“Burlesque and drag has allowed for personal exploration while providing entertainment, it has always been a place for belonging and acceptance. I have loved my journey through this radical self expression and the joy it awakens inside. This has always been a space for self love. My troupe promotes body positivity no matter where you are in life, there is always a spot for you on the stage".
Stephen Pilcher
Therapeutic Drum Facilitator / Drummer
Meet Stephen Pilcher, the heart and sole behind Percussive Elements Drumming in beautiful Nanaimo. With over 30 years of experience playing and creating music across various bands and groups, Stephen discovered that drumming was more than a skill - it was a theraputic lifeline. Today, they are a Theraputic Drum Facilitor dedicatied to improving mental health through drumming and sound therapy.
Mariel Anderson
Mariel Anderson
Founder / Producer / Fashion Designer
We are thrilled to announce that Mariel the founder and CEO of the Foundation for Artistic Expression (F.A.E.), will be debuting a unique fashion collection at IGNITE2024. Known for her dedication to mental health advocacy through her foundation and The Probably Important Podcast, [Your Name] will now bring her artistic talents to the runway.
This collection is a celebration of the seasons, with each model representing a different time of year. The fashion show will bring together various elements of artistic expression, embodying the spirit of creativity and the journey of personal growth.
IGNITE2024 NatureNurture Sponsored By:
Don't Wait, Tickets Are Selling Fast!
Don't Wait, Tickets Are Selling Fast!
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