02 Oct Vancestock XIV Raises Over $40,000 For Trails Youth Initiatives.
Cooper Mediation and Trails Youth Initiatives send out our heartfelt thanks for all the support of this year’s edition of Vancestock. Together, we’ve raised over $40,000 and counting— 80% of our 50K goal!
With your support, we’re on our way to crossing the finish line and surpassing a half million dollars in cumulative fundraising for Trails in 14 years. Please remember that 100% of your donation goes directly to Trails and donations over $20 receive a tax receipt.
Please see some videos and photos from Vancestock XIV and Thank Yous below. Like our Vancestock Facebook page to stay in the know.
How Does Your Donation Help?
***99% of Trailers graduate high school
***92% of Trailers go on to post-secondary school
***18:1 Social Return on Investment (For every dollar committed to Trails, there is a social return of $18 back into Toronto’s future)
A Different Way To Donate: Stocks, Shares or Securities
Did you know that you can donate publicly listed stocks, shares or securities to support Vancestock XIV and the Trails mission? A donation of securities or mutual funds is a very efficient and cost-effective way to give to charity. Since capital gains taxes don’t apply, Trails receives the full fair market value when the security is sold, and you get a tax receipt which reflects your larger contribution. This allows you to give more and get more! Click to complete the Trails Securities Form to donate through their Canada Helps account or you can contact your broker to initiate the transfer of shares. Please reach out to Leslie (leslie@trails.ca) if you have any questions.
It Takes A Village: Further Thank Yous
In addition to our wonderful musical acts (Kubla and Sisters & Brothers), we would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Trails without whom we would not have been able to put on Vancestock XIV. Without you there would also be no program for the very youth we’re fundraising for and the program we’re fundraising towards. Thank you for all the work you do.
***Melissa Millward – President
***Janelle Dayman – Director of Development
***Leslie McGill – Office Manager and Donations Administrator
***Whitney Lorentz – Donor Engagement Coordinator
***Brandon McKinley, Director of Youth Development
***Erin McLean, Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement
***Anum Khan – Program Director
***Amanda Abbasi – Fundraising Assistant
***Tahirah Stanley – Coordinator of Philanthropy and Partnerships
***Evelyn Bray – Photographer and Alumni
***Seanice Dennis – Alumni
***John Romaniuk – Trails volunteer
A heartfelt thank you also to Trails’s alumni, Joe at Revival, Tia and Kayla at Live Nations, and our wonderfully generous donors who made this night possible.
Vancestock XIV: Photo Gallery
Photography by Evelyn Bray Photography.
Vancestock XIV: Videos of Performances
Videos by Bob Charendoff (click to watch – you will be re-directed to Facebook)
Kubla
Sisters & Brothers
Meet Our Performers
Vancestock XIV was a night of music and charity fundraising, featuring:
Kubla
“A fresh perspective on soul/R&B” would be an understatement. Listening to Kubla for the first time feels intimate and electrifying—as if you found a secret key to a hidden room in your own soul. Raised next to an endless ocean, among the towering trees of Canada’s West Coast, his dreamy, soulful sound and personality are reminiscent of the magic of his environment. Kubla takes a lifetime of experience with him onstage, breathing entirely new life into his recorded music through his sensational skills as a jazz musician and his charming presence, both solo with a guitar/looper or with a band of incredible musicians
Sisters & Brothers
Sisters & Brothers were back for their 13th consecutive Vancestock performance – Lead by Logan Cooper and Jessica Charendoff with musical support from their brothers, Jon Cooper, Harrison Cooper and Jacob Charendoff.
The Cause
Trails Youth Initiatives has been transforming lives since 1992 through a highly impactful outdoor education program. They empower vulnerable youth from underserved communities to become contributing members of society. Their uniqueness is tethered to a long-term and consistent approach that provides structure, commitment, and trust for vulnerable youth while building foundational skills in their transformative years.
Starting at age 12, youth attend Trails for two weeks each summer and one weekend a month throughout the school year, committing to a four-year program. The innovative nature-based curriculum enhances both health and well-being, while also fostering genuine personal and social growth. The outdoors serves as a natural setting for developing vital life skills, promoting community, and encouraging active lifestyles.
Trails’ success is further demonstrated through their strong alumni network, offering continued support to over 600 graduates. Through all Trails‘ efforts, they address systemic poverty, racism, and educational disparities, and provide support to youth facing barriers.
Events like Vancestock help Trails make a profound difference in the lives of Toronto’s youth, helping them overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.