About Healthy Kids
Healthy Kids Thunder Bay actively supports the well-being of approximately 1200 children and their families across four priority neighbourhoods in Thunder Bay. The designated Healthy Kids Sites serve as trusted hubs within each neighborhood, offering accessible programs and services for residents.
As a collaborative effort, Healthy Kids Thunder Bay brings together community partners to enhance children’s health. Through evidence-informed programming, the initiative addresses various topics, including physical activity, nutrition, smoking prevention and cessation, and mental health, among others, as identified by participants. This unique collaboration aims to foster healthier children and families in our city by empowering residents and community partners to build knowledge, skills, and abilities in engaging with healthy-living strategies and accessing essential community services.
Healthy Kids Coordinator
H.O.M.E. Program Coordinator
Rachel Bayes
Rachel brings a diverse educational background, covering geography, forestry, culinary arts, and food service and nutrition management. Her most recent achievement is a master’s degree in Health Sciences, specializing in Social-Ecological Sustainability and Health. For now, she’s decided to take a break from school. Outside of her academic pursuits, Rachel loves spending time with her family and enjoys activities like cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. Volunteering, reading, and writing are also among her passions, with columns featured in the Walleye magazine and Northwest Nosh, and a cookbook, Seasons of Thunder Bay. Passionate about community engagement and empowering individuals, Rachel finds the most fulfilling aspect of her job in connecting with our Healthy Kids families and witnessing the positive impact the program has on people.
Healthy Kids Neighbourhood Leads
Meet our incredible Healthy Kids Neighbourhood Leads! They’re the heart and soul of our program, dedicated to creating vibrant and supportive communities. With boundless enthusiasm, they coordinate a variety of engaging activities and workshops for families. Always ready with a warm smile, they foster connections, making our neighborhoods even more welcoming. Our Neighbourhood Leads are here to uplift and inspire, ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging in our Healthy Kids family!
Minnesota Park
Brianna
Brianna, a Social Service Work (SSW) program graduate from Confederation College, is now pursuing an Honours Bachelor degree in Social Work (HBSW) at Lakehead University. With over 8 years of experience as a Child & Youth Specialist for The City of Thunder Bay, she has been planning and facilitating recreational programming and workshops. Brianna also has a background in clinical counseling with a focus on the connection between mental health and addiction during her tenure with Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) in Victoria, BC. In addition to her role as a Healthy Kids Neighbourhood Lead, she works as a Crisis Response Worker for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Outside of work, Brianna enjoys spending time with her dog Hudson, attending country music concerts, and embracing the outdoors in the summer. Her vibrant personality reflects her belief that there’s always a way to incorporate fun into everything you do.
Minnesota Park
Wyeth
Windsor
Coming soon!
Academy
Coming Soon!
Healthy Kids Evaluation Team
Say hello to the amazing Healthy Kids Thunder Bay Evaluation Team! These talented individuals work behind the scenes to ensure our program is making a positive impact. With their keen eyes for assessment, they help us refine and enhance our initiatives, ensuring we’re always delivering the best for our community. Their dedication and expertise play a vital role in shaping the success of Healthy Kids Thunder Bay. We’re truly grateful for their commitment to making our program even more fantastic!
Principal Investigator
Dr. Erin Pearson
Erin, a Lakehead University School of Kinesiology professor and lead evaluator for Healthy Kids, is a dedicated health promoter. She’s passionate about understanding programs that matter to children and families. Erin values Healthy Kids for its resident-driven services and community partners’ passion for helping others. Beyond work, she enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking, running, and reading with her family and dogs. As Healthy Kids expands, Erin looks forward to connecting with families and tailoring programs based on community needs.
Research Assistant
Coming Soon!
Healthy Kids Planning Team
Meet regularly throughout the year with neighbours to plan activities for families in your community and support programs offered by Healthy Kids. This group is the voice of the families that attend our centres.
If you’re interested in joining, please email healthykids@tbdhu.com
Register Today
Please follow this link to register your family as a Healthy Kids family. Many of our programs are drop-in, where you and your family can come by to say hi and join in our activities. Some programs require registration, so we can ensure we have enough resources for all who attend.