ABOUT US

Harbourside Youth Foundation is driven by a team of passionate fitness enthusiasts. We are coaches, nutritionists, teachers, and athletes—all committed to helping young people access the benefits of holistic wellness. We know that active, healthy youth have better focus in school, higher self-efficacy and are more resilient overall and we want that for as many kids in our community as possible. 

Long before our launch in 2020, our founder had a vision of creating a philanthropy to support youth fitness. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she saw the obstacles youth already faced multiplying in scope. Mental health problems in younger and younger age brackets are steadily rising, and many families are coping with intense financial hardship. She was emboldened to make moves. 

We knew that getting kids into a fitness program would help them build a strong foundation. Regular fitness provides youth with mentorship, instruction and support on goal setting, social interaction, and personal growth & development. All of these things increase self esteem and confidence, which are building blocks they can use to create better lives for themselves. 

This is why we exist: to cover the cost of fitness facility/group memberships for local youth and help set them on a path toward success. Get to know our team below.

Sharon, our founder, is passionate about fitness and wanted to create an avenue for youth to access sports programs. As a mother of 3 and fitness enthusiast, she has witnessed the benefits firsthand and wanted to bring this to the community. Sharon has had a long standing career in Interior Design, but is no stranger to Crossfit, having been a vital part of a gym for over 10 years, competing in numerous competitions. Her passion to see other peoples lives transformed by Crossfit starts with her own life-changing transformation. She has experienced the benefits of regular exercise, community, focus and fortitude and is eager to provide youth access to all of these benefits, as she wishes she had at that age.

Most of the time you can find Sharon playing and caring for her 5 granddaughters as she keeps up with their active little lives. Sharon also loves exploring the great outdoors in the Pacific NorthWest on her mountain bike or canoeing with her husband and putting her fitness to good use.

Annika has been a leader in active and healthy lifestyles for over 30 years. She graduated from UBC with a degree in dietetics in 1985, and spent the majority of her career working in long-term care. Anyone who knows Annika can tell you she loves genuine connection, giving hugs, and believes that life should be lived to the fullest. In addition to strong connections at work, Annika has built a community through her volunteering. She has been a puppy raiser and supporter of Pacific Assistance Dog Society, and she is also a board member of Tiny Tales Pony Rescue. Annika has been a part of the CrossFit community since 2006, and enjoys working out with her friends and her daughter.

Bri joins our team with a background in health and wellness and a passion for helping youths lead fulfilled and healthy lifestyles. With education in Kinesiology, Psychology, and Nutrition, she brings valuable knowledge to our organization. She has worked with an organization that supported at-risk youth, helping them get active every day, whether that be enjoying nature, or learning how to workout. This experience enabled her to witness firsthand the extraordinary power that looking after of one’s body and mind had on improving their life.

Bri is also an outdoor enthusiast! During the Summer, you will rarely find her at home but rather exploring the backcountry, hiking and camping, mountain biking or playing soccer.