• Ontario

Liberty For Youth's Run for Youth Campaign

Frederick, Founder & Executive Director of LFY

Liberty for Youth started in 2003 out of the basement of Frederick and his wife’s home. Frederick always knew that he would do something to help young people as he knew the challenges of navigating through life as a youth. One thing people learn about Frederick when they first meet him is his passion and heart for young people, especially those in crisis or conflict with the law. Liberty for Youth has been evolving for over 12 years now thanks to the integral partnerships and donors who have invested their time and money.

Join Frederick in Hamilton's Road2Hope for his final 10KM

So, why a 650km run?, sadly, the vision was born out of a very deep loss. During the last two years, Liberty for Youth tragically loss two of their youth participants. These youth were beyond our reach and effectiveness due to lack of funding and programming. This only reminded Frederick of the need to have more programming and staff to meet the ever changing needs of our young people today. Frederick will tell you he is not a writer or a singer, however, he has his feet and legs and he can run. Compassion and unconditional love is the forerunner of this marathon and Frederick has made up his mind that he will never have to turn away a youth ever again. The Run for Youth campaign will provide program sustainability, male/female equity, and a broader understanding and awareness of what youth face today in our culture and how important it is for us to do something to help.

The Run For Youth is a three-week 21 day marathon from Ottawa to Hamilton. Frederick Dryden, the LFY Executive Director, will run from Ottawa to Hamilton with some youth, including Josh and Althea, beginning October 14, 2016 and will arrive in Hamilton on Friday, November 4th, 2016, whereby LFY will partner with Hamilton Marathon Road2Hope to complete the final 10km run on Saturday, November 5th. This will include several stops in various communities on the way to Hamilton. It will also incorporate road shows, talks, and fundraisers at the various stops to create awareness about the objectives. LFY intends to partner with corporate organizations to fund different aspects of the Run and with local community organizations such as churches, rotary clubs, schools and youth advocacy groups, police and other civic organizations in order to create awareness and to raise donations for Run For Youth. LFY will also partner with other organizations and charities in each city at each of the stops to address their local needs.

As part of the Run For Youth, Frederick Dryden will provide mentoring to youth and to youth organizations on the various stops. In each city LFY will conduct the Mayor's challenge by asking each Mayor to run with Frederick for 1 KM, speak with Frederick and or donate to the cause. In Ottawa, Frederick Dryden hopes to meet with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, where Frederick will reveal the findings of a recent SWOT analysis conducted on youth culture. Frederick will then discuss a 10 year plan to create opportunities for youth.