Diversecities Youth Dragon Boat Team

About Diversecities' Youth Dragon Boat Team:

In the Summer of 2023, Diversecities registered its first youth team (under 18 years of age) in the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival. This group was a comprised of newcomer youth from diverse backgrounds, including those of Asian, Ukrainian, Middle Eastern, African, and other backgrounds. Diversecities Youth Dragon Boat Team was not just able paddling together; it was about building connections, cultural sharing, and supporting the youth to be the best version of themselves.

The energy and enthusiasm of these young paddlers were clear. Despite the challenges of training and competition, their determination and teamwork led them to achieve a commendable third-place finish. This result was a testament to their hard work, resilience, and the strong bonds they formed along the way. It served as an example of how much more they can achieve together.

This summer, Diversecities hopes to turn the Youth Dragon Boat Team into a lasting initiative and opportunity for young people. This initiative is more than just about outdoor team sports; it is a platform for youth to become involved in the community, build long lasting connections, learn new skills, and support others in doing the same. This team participating in the 2024 Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival consists of 35 members.

The Team's activities focus on teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Our main goal is to foster a supportive environment where these young people can thrive as members of the community. We are committed to building upon the foundations we created in the Summer of 2023, supporting our youth every step of the way, and celebrating every milestone the Team achieves.

Need for Community Support:

Diversecities' staff and volunteers, community members and supporters, have made significant contributions towards building the Team's foundations. However, to help Diversecities Youth Dragon Boat Team take the next step in their collective development, additional funds are needed to help cover the costs associated with pre-competition training and preparation, supplies and equipment, food, and transportation.

- Practice and Training Costs: Equipment rental, coaches.

- Team Uniforms: Equipping the Team with uniforms helps to promote a sense of unity, belonging, and pride.

- Participation Fees: Costs of team registration and tent fees at the 2024 Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival.

- Transportation Fees: Costs of travel and parking for team members participating in practices, training, and competition.

With your financial support, we can better enable our youth with the opportunity to participate, learn, and grow together, regardless of their financial status. Your support will also allow the Team to experience all that the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival has to offer.

Impact:

Diversecities' Youth Dragon Boat Team has already made a big difference in the lives of the youth who participate.

- Physical Health: Participation in the sport helps youth stay fit and healthy. They build strength, improve endurance, and develop a love for staying active.

- Mental Well-Being: Dragon boating provides a healthy way to release stress, clear minds, and allow youth to feel a sense of accomplishment and belonging. 

- Social Skills: Being part of the team teaches youth the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and trust. Youth learn and practice communication skills, support each other, and build strong friendships.

- Cultural Connections: This experience brings together youth from various cultural backgrounds, allowing them to connect with their own heritage, learn about others, and encourage cross-cultural community building.

- Confidence & Self Esteem: Achieving success and growth helps to boost self esteem and confidence in youth. They feel proud of their accomplishments, which helps to encourage youth in other aspects of their lives, such as school, family and community.

How You Can Help:

Diversecities is dedicated to continuing and expanding the Youth Dragon Boat Team to provide more enriching experiences in supporting our youth to be the leaders of tomorrow. By joining us in this campaign, you can help to ensure that these youth have the opportunity to succeed, both in and out of the water.

Your support is essential as it allows Diversecities' Youth Dragon Boat Team to cover important costs, such as food and water to keep the team refreshed during competition days, practice and training in preparation for competition, and support team members in travelling to and from competition.

- $7 can support the transit costs of one team member in traveling to and from the venue.

- $10 can help one team member stay hydrated during competition days.

- $12 covers the cost of snacks and lunch for one team member per competition day.

- $20 can go towards supporting the costs of festival registration per team member.

- $30 can support the purchase of a team uniform for one member.

All contributions, small or large, will support Diversecities' Youth Dragon Boat Team beyond the competition itself. Your help will play a role in encouraging and empowering the Team towards personal growth, and impact their future development.

We thank you, and hope you will consider supporting our youth as they participate in their second (and for some, their first) competition.

Summer 2023 Participant Feedback:

"My name is Olga, and I am newcomer to Canada. Your work is great for many families. Especially for us because we have 4 children. We don't have enough income to provide any events for them. Only thanks to you and your organization we can attend so interesting programs. For example, in summertime my children had a great opportunity to attend drama camp, visit parks and zoos. It was so exciting, and they loved it very much. When they participated competition Dragon Boat, it was wonderful experience for them to know more about Canadian events. Other events in the central library were also very helpful and interesting! Thank you for sharing these opportunities with us and this way we get to know life in Canada!"

"This is Nataliia, Summer is over for my daughter. But the emotions with which she replenished her memories of the summer were given to her by the community service organization Diversecities. For us Ukrainians who fled the war, it was important to find support in a new country. Your organization gave my daughter confidence, friends, and development. My son found a friend from Ukraine during Dragon Boat race. Turned out that they study at the same school and the friend lives not far from us. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in different events. Our family, my daughter and my son really enjoyed the Dragon Boat race, Police Museum, Heritage Park, Summer Chess club, TELUS Spark. We are very grateful for your work and support."