Investing in Leadership for the World Kids Deserve 

Neurodiversity & Anti-Racism Training for GOS Staff

Dear Friend,

I trust this letter finds you well. I am writing to you today on behalf of the Guelph Outdoor School, and our important work of fostering the love of nature and learning in the hearts of our students. We come to you with an exceptional opportunity to make a profound impact on our staff, students, and the broader community through our dual initiative: Neurodiversity and Anti-Racism Training for our staff. 

At the Guelph Outdoor School, we believe in the transformative power of our outdoor immersion and mentorship programs. However, we also acknowledge that true learning and growth require an environment that is inclusive, respectful, and empathetic. To this end, we have initiated training programs for our staff that focus on two essential aspects: Neurodiversity and Anti-Racism.

1. Neurodivergence Training: Our aim is to equip our educators with the knowledge and skills to understand, support, and nurture neurodivergent students in our outdoor immersion programs. This training will enable us to create an environment that values neurodiversity ensuring that children with a much wider range of individual differences, can benefit from the wonders of our programs

2. Anti-Racism Training: We are also committed to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering a culture of anti-racism within our organization. Our Anti-Racism Training will be a vital next step towards empowering our staff and board to recognize and address racial inequities, creating a more inclusive and just environment for both our students and staff.

We believe that these two initiatives go hand in hand in building a more inclusive and accepting community. By providing our educators with some important tools and knowledge we can take important steps towards creating a more safe and supportive space where students can thrive.

To make these initiatives a reality, we are seeking matching funds to maximize their impact. We were successful in receiving funding through the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund supported by the Canadian Red Cross for this initiative. This funding supports half of the needed funds to deliver a custom tailored program.

Your generous donation will support both Neurodivergence and Anti-Racism Training for our dedicated staff and board members. By contributing to these programs, you are investing in a future where students can enjoy the benefits of our outdoor immersion programs while learning about empathy, inclusion, and diversity.

We kindly request your consideration for matching funds to support our dual initiative of Neurodivergence and Anti-Racism Training. Our goal is to reach $48,000 by January 31, 2024. Your support will help us fulfill our commitment to providing an exceptional outdoor immersion experience while promoting anti-racism and embracing neurodiversity.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for considering our request. We are more than willing to provide further information or discuss these initiatives in greater detail at your convenience. Together, we can create a more equitable, inclusive, and transformative environment at the Guelph Outdoor School.

Sincerely,

Chris Green
Director, Guelph Outdoor School

P.S. If you require a tax receipt please make your contribution through our Next Child in the Woods Project with the Small Change Fund.