By Sara Hannafin | Director of Engagement
Treads & Trails fosters healthy and active lifestyles for underserved youth. Children average 7 hours of screen time a day and only 1 in 5 receive the daily recommended 30 minutes of active play. Those statistics are even worse in low-income and minority populations. Through our Treads and Trails program, Can'd Aid rallies volunteers and provides them with equipment, tools and instructions needed to build bikes and skateboards. When the builds are complete, the new wheels are presented in a surprise assembly to an entire grade at a Title 1 school. Professional athletes are part of the assembly, teaching the students about the importance of exercise, bike/skateboard safety and never giving up on their dreams. Riding bikes and/or skateboards at a young age has been linked to higher academic performance, fosters positive character and social traits, and increases adolescent responsibility. Socially, the program helps to bridge the gender gap between boys and girls and promotes social interaction between children and adolescents. To date, over 6,000 bikes and skateboards have been distributed to children across the country. In Texas, 469 bikes and 165 skateboards have been built and donated in 2019 and 2020.
Since March, Can’d Aid has been busy implementing adapted programs so that we can continue to fulfill our mission despite the challenges related to the COVID pandemic. By following CDC recommendations, adhering to evolving guidelines and restrictions, and reworking areas of our signature programming, Can’d Aid has continued to serve communities in need.
In Texas, Can’d Aid has implemented revamped ways to deliver programming and to safely engage volunteers through people powered do-goodery. In partnership with small businesses on the ground, we have developed a “drive thru” opportunity where individuals pick up parts, assemble bikes and skateboards at home, then return the new sports equipment to prearranged drop off locations. Using this new model, two successful skateboard builds have been completed. In partnership with 11 Below Brewing, 65 boards were built by 13 volunteers. The boards were donated to Royal Family Kids, a foster care organization that is dedicated to interrupting cycles of neglect, abuse and abandonment. Buddy’s Houston Bar facilitated the building of 100 boards through 50 volunteers, all donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston. Can’d Aid is grateful for the flexibility and creativity of our donors, volunteers, and implementing partners.
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