Ember Centre for Youth and Families is rooted in the values of connection, community, and nature—because that is exactly where our foundation began.

Aliya, Kaitlin, and Amelia first worked together in a wraparound program, supporting youth navigating complex challenges such as involvement in the justice system, sexual exploitation, gang recruitment, and the impacts of trauma. Together, they walked alongside youth and families, trying to make sense of the pressures kids face today—pressures that often feel too heavy to carry alone.

In time, they discovered something powerful: healing happens most naturally when youth and families are immersed in the wild. Nature became their co-therapist. They began bringing small, intentionally selected groups into outdoor spaces to reconnect, reflect, and play. From hiking in Pemberton and swimming in the glacial waters of Squamish to forest bathing on the Sunshine Coast, the team watched how wide-open spaces created space within—the kind that allows for healing, growth, and connection.

Among these journeys was a young participant named Esther. Her presence left a lasting mark.

Esther found a sense of freedom and belonging on these trips. With each passing kilometre away from the city, her walls began to soften. Nature became a place where she could laugh, explore, take risks and dream. Around the fire, conversations stretched late into the night—about life, loss, and hopes for the future. During the day, she was playful, insightful, and bold—testing boundaries in healthy ways and stepping into her potential. The trust she placed in the process, and in us, shaped the very core of our work.

In 2024, we received the call that changed everything: Esther had passed away suddenly at the age of 15.

In our grief, we turned to the mountains—to the spaces where Esther had once thrived. We sat in silence, remembering her laugh, her questions, her strength. And in the stillness, a spark ignited. We realized that her story, her light, and the healing power of those shared experiences could not end there.

From that place of sorrow and hope, Ember Centre was born.

The name “Ember” reflects the small but powerful light that remains even after the fire burns low. It is a reminder that from even the deepest grief, something meaningful can rise. Esther’s impact lives on through this work—every hike, every conversation, every moment of connection under the sky.

At Ember Centre, we honour her story by continuing to create spaces where youth and families can reconnect to themselves, to one another, and to the natural world. We believe in the power of slowing down, listening deeply, and allowing nature to help carry what is too heavy to hold alone.

Esther, this is for you.