Imagine... No Bullying. I Pledge...
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Asmaite Gebremichael, Beyond the Hurt Youth Facilitator, thinks everyone is beautiful. |
“...to help stop people from using the saying ‘that’s so gay.”
“...to put myself in someone else’s shoes.”
Can you imagine the difference it would make if everyone took one step towards preventing bullying? One third of 11 to 15 year-olds and over one half of grade 1-2 students have reported that they have been bullied. The impacts of bullying on those involved can last a lifetime. Imagine... No Bullying, a Red Cross bullying prevention campaign has shown that people want to make a difference, together.
An Imagine... No Bullying campaign event was held on Saturday, November 19th, 2011, the last day of Bullying Awareness Week, at the Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre. Canadian Red Cross staff and Youth Facilitators of the Beyond the Hurt: Bullying and Harassment Prevention program invited community members of all ages to create a pledge, stating one thing they commit to do to help prevent, intervene or stop bullying in their community. One by one, these pledges were written on colourful sticky notes and were posted on a wall to create the shape of a giant hand, symbolizing the message that we can all do our part to stop bullying.
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BC Red Cross team encourages community members to make pledges to stamp out bullying. |
- “Provide my kids with the confidence to be kind.”
- “Stick up for everyone.”
- “Embrace diversity.”
The overwhelming support received from adults and youth in the community demonstrates that people want to take responsibility and make a difference.
Earlier in the week, Youth Facilitators from Surrey’s Frank Hurt Secondary were involved in a similar campaign at their school, successfully collecting over 400 anti-bullying pledges from their peers. They had no difficulties bringing their enthusiasm to Kitsilano. They sparked interest with community members, including some candidates of this year’s municipal election, by sharing their experiences with the Beyond the Hurt program and the impact their involvement has had on their lives and their school.
The Imagine...no bullying campaign supports the Canadian Red Cross Beyond the Hurt program. This program focuses on preventing bullying and harassment among children and youth, using a peer-facilitation model. It explores healthy relationships, safe ways to intervene in bullying situations, and preventative strategies for creating healthy environments in schools and communities. Bullying is not just a concern for our schools: it happens in our streets, malls, workplaces and online. It is up to each one of us to make a difference.
Refreshments at the event were provided with the generous support from local Starbucks and Cupcakes stores.
You can still make a virtual pledge against bullying on Facebook: ‘Like’ one of these pledges or state your own pledge. (Or search on Facebook for: Imagine...no bullying. I pledge...)
For more information on how to bring the Beyond the Hurt: Bullying and Harassment Prevention Program to your school, please click here»
Posted: December 2, 2011
