More than 150 students from across central Saskatchewan were trained as Red Cross Youth Facilitators on October 8.
“These students now have the skills and tools to provide bullying prevention presentations in their own schools and communities,” said Red Cross Respect Education Provincial Manager Valerie Pearson.
“Over the next few years, these students will speak to thousands of their peers about how to address and prevent bullying.”
Presented by the Co-operators, the 2015 Red Cross Youth Symposium was held at TCU Place in Saskatoon.
Another Youth Symposium is being planned for November in Regina. This is the second year that the Red Cross has trained students to become Youth Facilitators. Last year, over 90 students were trained.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Canadian Red Cross to help create safe and respectful schools and communities,” said Glenn Bohay of The Co-operators. “The Co-operators understand how important it is to help the Red Cross protect children and youth from bullying.”
Students were treated to guest speakers including Travis Price (Pink Shirt Day co-founder) and Luc Mullinder (Roughrider alumni, analyst, and Red Cross bullying prevention program advisor).
“The success of this symposium demonstrates the growing momentum of a culture change that we call Imagine No Bullying,” said Mullinder.
“More and more schools and organizations are joining the movement to create safe and respectful communities.”
The Youth Symposium is funded, in part, from the Red Cross Campaign for Kids Raffle. Funds from the raffle go directly to Red Cross bullying prevention education in Saskatchewan. Tickets are on sale now at redcross.ca/campaignforkids.
For over 30 years, the Canadian Red Cross has been working to promote healthy relationships amongst individuals and within schools.
Canadian-based research shows that ongoing, peer-to-peer education is the key to preventing bullying, which is why we continue to work with Saskatchewan schools and communities throughout the year to provide bullying prevention education.
