Children dare to dream big in Thunder Bay
By Rick Garrick
THUNDER BAY — Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation had an “amazing turnout” at the fourth annual Dare to Dream Day on May 5 at the Da Vinci Centre in Thunder Bay.
“It went great — we’re proud to announce also that we exceeded our goal and raised over $15,000 for children to seek opportunities and bursaries for education, recreation, cultural opportunities,” says Tina Bobinski, director of Mental Health and Addictions at Dilico. “There were all kinds of activities for kids both indoors and out. Indoors we had our Dilico Standing Bear drum, so we had some pow wow dancing, kids activities, games. Kids dressed up as super heroes [and] we had over 20 other super heroes [from the] staff and members of the community coming out and supporting kids to realize their dreams, imagine and dream big.”
Bobinski says this year’s Dare to Dream Day event was similar to past years but on a bigger scale.
“It felt almost like a fair,” Bobinski says. “Kids could dress up and do face painting or create their own super hero cape [or] also participate in cultural activities, some crafting as well as pow wow dancing.”
Bobinski says they also had a barbecue outside with partners and sponsors preparing food for the children and families.
“We had outdoor hockey, a giant bouncy castle, and other outdoor activities for families,” Bobinski says. “The event was well received by the community. We had 600-800 people join the event so it was really exciting for us.”
Bobinski says numerous role models from the community also shared different presentations, acts and cultural experiences to promote wellness of families.
“People in our community showed kids we really care about them and we support them to reach their dreams,” Bobinski says. “We want to make sure that we’re having these opportunities and events to bring kids and role models together to have some fun and learn from each other.”
Bobinski says this was the first year that Dilico’s children’s mental health team collaborated with the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation to hold the Dare to Dream Day event, noting that it was held during Children’s Mental Health Week. Dilico has held Children’s Mental Health Week events for more than a decade and the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation has held Dare to Dream Day since 2017.
“We really wanted to offer an opportunity for families to come out, have fun together, share some laughs but also remind our community, our children and families that mental health is important, mental wellness is important and it’s a priority,” Bobinski says. “We thought what a better way to collaborate, two organizations coming together in the name of good mental health, as well as just making sure we’re providing opportunities for children especially during Children’s Mental Health Week.”
Bobinski says proceeds from the fundraising efforts will go to children and youth who seek bursaries for education, recreation and culture so they can participate in unique life experiences such as extracurricular school activities, community sports and music, obtain the equipment they might need or new technology or to attend courses or conferences.
“It’s just really making opportunities available for all children in our community,” Bobinski says.
Bobinski says more than 80 staff at Dilico volunteered their time to host the event, organize the schedule, and dress up for the event.
“This might be one of the best events we’ve ever hosted — the turnout was fantastic, the weather was beautiful and everybody was happy,” Bobinski says. “Our overall goal was to get the message out there that children’s mental wellness is a top priority and our Mental Health and Addictions services continue to be available to families.”