Christopher's Story

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Christopher joined the Running & Reading Club late in the year.

When he joined the Club, he was quite vocal about not wanting to be with this group or in this club for that matter. He wasn't interested in having to run for 25-28 minutes and didn't really interact with the other children or coaches; he also struggled with low confidence, and a short temper.

We assigned Coach Ali to the group that Christopher was in. Coach Ali was the perfect fit for this smaller group and for Christopher as she is very patient, encouraging and motivating. She was able to spend focused time with him and get him to open up about himself. He shared with us that he was the "man of steel", and Coach Ali used that analogy to influence him to show us how this "man of steel" could get through the running, circuit training, and journal and reading time. That was all it took! Christopher started volunteering to demonstrate some of the circuit training activities and pushed himself to run continuously for full time each week without stopping.

At the beginning of each club Christopher, with much excitement, would update us about the workouts he was doing at home now, and he had even encouraged his Mom to start running with him. He was hooked. From that point on, he completed his journal and started reading to Coach Ali. Over time, he increased the grade levels of books he was reading. Christopher received the most "shout outs" (recognition) on his team. This was definitely a confidence booster for him!

Christopher ended up running his 5 km in his brand new shoes from Start2Finish, and had a big smile on his face as he crossed the finish line. His overall attitude, confidence and focus improved with his participation in the club, and his reading level has gone from a level 4 to a level 18!  His teacher comments that the most growth has been in his self-confidence. When he entered grade 3 he refused to read aloud at all. Now he has the skill and confidence to do so and is proud of himself. We look forward to seeing what he can do by the time he finishes the R&R Club this year!

 
 

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge the land on which we work, and which Start2Finish operates, is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples inhabited and cared for this land. In particular, we acknowledge the territory of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples; the land that is home to the Metis; and most recently, the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who are direct descendants of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land, and by doing so, give our respect to its first inhabitants.

We welcome you to acknowledge the land you are on https://www.whose.land/fr/

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