About Us
Empowering Youth. Strengthening Community. Building Brighter Futures.
Featured
The Diamond Valley Youth Foundation (DVYF) is a community‑driven nonprofit organization dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for young people. We work to ensure every child and teen in Diamond Valley has the support, resources, and experiences they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Our mission is simple: remove barriers, amplify opportunities, and strengthen the future of our community—one young person at a time.
Our Story
DVYF was founded on the belief that all young people deserve equitable access to programs that spark curiosity, encourage creativity, build confidence, and promote wellbeing. As costs rise and barriers grow, we saw the need for an organization committed to ensuring no child is left out of the programs that shape their development.
What started as a small group of dedicated community members has evolved into a trusted hub for youth opportunity, connecting families, service providers, schools, and local partners to the resources and funding that make a lasting difference.
Who We Serve
We support young people across the Diamond Valley region — from early childhood to teens — with a special focus on ensuring equitable access for families who face financial, geographic, or social barriers.
Why Our Work Matters
Every program funded, every partnership formed, and every barrier removed creates new pathways for youth to grow, participate, and succeed. When we uplift children and teens, we uplift families — and when we uplift families, the entire region becomes stronger, healthier, and more connected.
What We Do
Create Awareness
Through relationship-building and strategic partnerships, we establish connected communities united by a shared goal. We share stories and updates to help the community understand where support is needed most.
Fundraise
We generate direct financial support to youth education, arts, sports, science & technology, and wellbeing initiatives. By investing in community‑based activities and barrier‑free access, we help young people learn, participate, and thrive.
Facilitate Partnerships
We connect the dots. We bring together schools, nonprofits, local businesses, and community groups to support aligned youth initiatives. We strengthen collaboration, streamline resources, and create a unified approach to supporting youth in Diamond Valley.
Hub of Resources
We serve as a central point for valuable information. Through our newsletters and podcasts, we connect youth and families to events, educational needs, and opportunities to participate in the Diamond Valley region.
Our Impact
🧪 Science & Technology
Preparing for the Future. Our STEAM After School Club provides hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Supported by partners like Foothills Energy Co-op and TC Energy, we have successfully impacted 73 students across four sessions, providing 50% subsidized fees to ensure accessibility for all.
🎨 Arts
Fostering Creativity. We believe in the joy of performance. From a $2,500 for the High Country Regional Band Program, we ensure our youth have the tools and travel support to showcase their artistic talents.
🏀 Athletics
Building Character through Sport. We keep our youth active and engaged. Whether it’s supporting the Drillers Basketball Team’s trip to Provincials, providing $750 for new Foothills Skating Club costumes, or hosting the Handball Provincials for 250 students, we invest in teamwork and community pride.
📚 Education
Nurturing Lifelong Learning. Education is the foundation of opportunity. Fantastic Books Bookclub for teens started with an idea from a teen and is now in it’s 2nd full year giving 15-20 teens with a free book every month and a safe space to connect. Our $20,000 donation to CIM and Turner Valley Elementary supported essential student enrichment.
🤝 Engage
Connecting Our Community. Engagement is at our core. We show up at Diamond Valley Day, host community events like the Fall and Spring Flings where we raise $’s but more importantly engage with our community and have some fun! We’ve also initiated Valley Vibes Podcast to share what’s happening in Diamond Valley!
💙 Community Support
Supporting the Village. We are there when it matters. We fund the beloved Breakfast with Santa for 100+ children, provide direct Family Support during medical crises, and partner on the Sprouts Summer Camp to offer inclusive nature and arts exploration for local families.
Our Team
Behind every program funded, every partnership formed, and every barrier removed is a dedicated team of community‑minded individuals who believe deeply in the power of supporting youth. Our team is made up of passionate leaders, parents, and volunteers who bring diverse skills, lived experiences, and a shared commitment to helping young people thrive.
Together, we work to strengthen families, uplift the next generation, and build a more connected, resilient Diamond Valley.
Claire Rosenau
President
Wanting to raise their young daughter in a small town environment, Claire and her husband fell in love with the Foothills and made the move to Turner Valley in 2022.
A strong believer in rolling up her sleeves and getting things done, Claire discovered an amazing network of likeminded individuals who had an idea of working together to support local kids, and from there the Foundation came to life.
Professionally, Claire works as a General Manager at a Family Office and wears many hats! Claire is known for her love of adventure and the outdoors, and can often be found hiking and camping with her friends and family.
Axinia Doering
Vice President
Axinia and family moved to this wonderful town, Turner Valley, in 2016 and are embracing this community ever since.
Raised in a small town herself, Axinia believes that it Takes a Village to raise great kids, making this belief a reality by creating support networks for parents in the Diamond Valley area and being actively engaged in the school community since her son started kindergarten.
As a life-long learner, Axinia works in the field of Continue Medical Education as a Project Manager.
Cori Thompson
Treasurer
Cori was born and raised in the Diamond Valley area (Millarville) and from a very young age was involved in the community alongside her parents and extended family. She grew up seeing how a connected community can support and bolster its members through even the toughest of times.
What began as simply wanting to sit on the Parent Council of her daughters elementary school to get connected since her career keeps her occupied during school hours, quickly became a passion for wanting more and a determination to make it happen.
Cori was the first employee hired by a startup software development and IT Management company and has been instrumental in growing that company to the thriving success it is today. You don’t get to become a 25-person multi-million dollar corporation without encountering obstacles; Cori does not shy away from a challenge.
Kym Wilkie
Secretary
Kym is a stay at home mom to two young boys. Prior to making the decision to stay home with her boys, Kym was a legal assistant for over 15 years. Kym is Vice President of the Oilfields Sports Association and the Sheep Creek Arts Council. Kym is passionate about ensuring all the youths in the community have an inclusive and enriching childhood and loves living in Diamond Valley.
Tania Ryckman
Director of Marketing & Communications
Tania moved to the Foothills in 2015 seeking a slower pace to raise her growing family away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Building relationships with other families and community members in the last 8 years made this a natural fit in wanting to get involved more and make an impact where it counts!
Tania spends her days in the fast paced advertising industry and enjoys facilitating campaigns all over the country. In her spare time (what spare time!?), her favorite spot is the dog park in Black Diamond where she spends countless hours with her doggie and family.
