By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On April 11, Dare to Be Youth (DTBY) hosted an event at Blue Zone Courts, where kids and teenagers who volunteer with, or are being served by, DTBY could learn how to play pickleball and padel.
Shannon Tobin, CEO and founder of DTBY, called it an opportunity to “connect our community partners with the DTBY youth that they serve. It’s a fun night of pickleball and relationship building.”
The event was titled Thrive On and Off the Courts and is designed to encourage leadership through sport.
Tobin elaborated on the importance of sport beyond just breaking a sweat.
“Physical activity is a big piece, because it falls under the mental health and well-being umbrella,” Tobin said. “We also know that to connect with youth, some of them don’t do well, per se, sitting across a table. That comes later, as they’re building relationships. The best way to connect with young people is through play.”
She said that the event was also an opportunity to celebrate the work of community partners who collaborate and fund DTBY.
RBC, the event sponsor, handed out swag bags to participants, and representatives from Black Mentorship Inc., Burlington Helping Burlington, Burlington Dads, the Rotary Club of Burlington, and the Burlington Lions Club were also present.
Tobin spoke about the importance of collaboration between not-for-profit organizations.
“I’ve always said that collaborating with the right organizations is key,” Tobin said. “You can’t do it alone. It’s about community, and we have just linked arms with some incredible organizations that are walking alongside us — so tonight was really, in essence, a thank you.”
She also said that lending a helping hand to other organizations sets a good example for youth.
Paul Sharman, Ward 5 councillor, was at the event on behalf of the Burlington Lions Club, of which he is also a member.
“The purpose of Lions is basically to serve the community,” Sharman said. “And so part of the strategy for the Lions is to grow and be representative of the community. The more we get known amongst organizations that are working with community members and helping them develop, especially if they’re developing leadership programs, the more they’re aware of Lions, and that gives us the opportunity to engage with them.”
Joyce Telmo-Kanti, co-founder and investor in Blue Zone Courts, said that, in many ways, pickleball and padel can mirror real-life situations.
“You’ll win, and you’ll lose,” Telmo-Kanti said. “But that doesn’t really matter. What does is what you do after you lose. How will you bounce back and be stronger? That mirrors life with your family, your school, and with work.”
She said establishing connections is another similarity between sport and life.
“You have to build trust and work with your teammate,” Telmo-Kanti said. “In real life, you have to build trust, connect, and work with people who open doors for you and help you be successful. So when you play today, it’s not just about having fun or winning, it’s about learning, strategizing, and connecting.”
After some opening statements, participants were split into groups of two and learned the rules of pickleball and padel.
After the groups were done playing, Tobin announced DTBY’s new peer-to-peer program called Dare to Move.
The group’s website describes it as a “weekly challenge designed to bring students, faculty, corporations, businesses, and not-for-profit partners together through movement, reflection, kindness, and community action.”
Participants can create or join a team and complete weekly challenges focused on movement, awareness, connection, and personal growth.
Team members get points for submitting completed entries, written reflections, photos, and awareness responses. Members can also donate to DTBY through their team. The first challenge was to compete in the pickleball kick-off rally.
DTBY will also host their annual Youth Inspire Community Day on May 7 at Blue Zone Courts.
“We have approximately six high schools that we’re partnering with, and they’ll bring their students in a bus,” Tobin said. “We have an Olympian coming to speak, and there will also be some workshops and networking.”
According to DTBY’s website, the event is “designed to connect youth to engage with their communities and engage in meaningful dialogue around equity and inclusion, leadership and life skills, and mental and financial wellness and resilience.”
To find out more about the Dare2Move campaign, click here.
