Piece of Mind Workshops build awareness of social, emotional, and
mental health issues that are common in the lives of young people and give
practical considerations on maintaining or creating overall wellness and tips
for reaching out and finding support when life’s challenges begin
to surface. Workshops are delivered in high school classrooms by professionally
trained volunteers. Each workshop focuses on a key topic and is targeted to a
particular age group.
Organized in partnership with selected high schools, Stepping Out
offers a unique training opportunity for Grade 11 and 12 students to deliver
workshops to Grade 6 and 7 students. Secondary students undergo intensive
training and gain presentation experience as well as internalizing the content
of five workshops: friendship, diversity and peer pressure, bullying and
assertiveness, stress management and coping, community resources (includes high
school trainers).
Benefits to the
student include added exposure, knowledge, skills, practical experience,
community engagement and confidence. As an additional benefit, many students
volunteer with Chimo after graduation and some even join our staff team.
Elementary school students are much more receptive to learning
these important messages from older students than they are from adults. It is an
extremely positive experience for the all the students involved.