Young people can bring a dynamic energy to the programs of the Canadian Red Cross, and as one of the country's most active charity organizations, it's constantly in search of innovative ways to improve the lives of individuals both in Canada and around the world.
Recently, the Canadian Red Cross teamed up with the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club in Regina, Saskatchewan to tackle an issue that affects young people in many ways - bullying.
Taking on bullying together
During the week of February 20, the Canadian Red Cross announced its partnership with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
While Roughrider team members like Luc Mullinder, Weston Dressler, Chris Getzlaf and Keith Shologan have worked with the Canadian Red Cross to deliver educational workshops that address the issue of bullying behaviour among young people since 2009, this new partnership offers many advantages.
"The Saskatchewan Roughriders share the belief that bullying is a community problem," said Jim Hopson, CEO and president of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. "We are proud to help the Red Cross address the issue by delivering violence and abuse prevention programs to schools and community groups across the province."
As a result of the agreement, the Canadian Red Cross will be able to work with more Roughrider members and give them the resources they need to deliver presentations in schools - in turn, valuable lessons on how to avoid bullying can reach more than 8,000 young people.
"We are embarking on a new relationship that will allow us better access to their players and their image," said Norm Jakubowski, provincial violence and abuse prevention lead for the Red Cross in Saskatchewan. "Adding their voice to ours will help us better reach children with our bullying prevention education."
How you can help
When young people get involved with the Canadian Red Cross, they can create real change in their communities and help improve the lives of those in need here in Canada and around the world.
If there's a young person in your life who is dedicated to social change and improving the world, you should encourage him or her to reach out to the Canadian Red Cross.
Participating in a violence and abuse prevention program can help young people gain valuable leadership and job preparedness skills.
In addition to the involvement of young people, the Canadian Red Cross depends on support from generous Canadians just like you. To assist the Canadian Red Cross in its mission of helping others, please donate online or at your local Canadian Red Cross office today.