JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local nonprofit is drawing children away from screens by teaching outdoor skills and environmental stewardship.
Started by Sheronda Holzendorf, We C.O.P.E. Inc. uses outdoor activities such as fishing, gardening and planting to connect young people with their community and the environment. Holzendorf says the idea grew out of a desire for activities that “did not involve combat or collision” for her sons.
“I grew up watching Captain Planet, so I’m really big on just conservation all together and really doing the right thing,” Holzendorf said. “…advocating and making sure people are aware of some of the things we can do to save our planet and keep it and preserve it.”
We C.O.P.E. Inc. has been operating for about three years and has expanded as parents became involved, Holzendorf says. Rather than just dropping children off, many parents stay and participate.
“Initially it was just for youth, but we saw that we had such a great collaboration and retention with the parents,” Holzendorf said. “They didn’t just drop their kids off. They came, they actually sat with us…”
Pointing at a parent out fishing with the group this day, Holzendorf said, “She’s one of our biggest supporters. She’s a foster parent of many, many children that support our program and bring out the kids.”
That longtime member, Marian Respess-Conley, said she brought four children to the outing — one grandchild and three she has adopted — and that the program has helped calm one child who had struggled elsewhere.
“This is a place of peace for him,” Respess-Conley said. “It’s opening our minds to different things other than video games and looking at TV all day long. Now they want to be outside instead of inside looking at TV: ‘Mom, can we go fishing today?’”
Children taking part echoed that sentiment. When asked what they liked about fishing, one participant said simply: “Catching it.”
We C.O.P.E. Inc. is supported by community partners and is funded through local grants and donations. We C.O.P.E. Inc. offers a variety of programs and activities, including gardening and planting.
Click here to visit We C.O.P.E.’s website.
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