The Erin Optimists Club is offering two free self-esteem workshops to area students and their parents in the month of November through the RISE Up organization.
“It’s a prevalent issue, as we’re hearing more about bullying issues in the media” club spokesman Jeff Andrews told the Advertiser.
“Our Optimist motto is to be a friend of the youth and the money we raise goes back into the youth of our community. These programs seemed like a good investment.”
The goal of the two workshops is to offer positive ways to encourage children aged 7 to 13 to develop a strong sense of self.
RISE Up, which stands for Raising Individual Self Esteem, is led by speakers and educational consultants Barbara Lustgarten Evoy and Alison Kuntz of Fergus.
“Everything we do is rooted in helping people to discover, create and maintain a strong self esteem” Envoy said. “Some time ago I noticed that there is a glaring lack of confidence in many of our children and that by struggling with that, everything suffers. A strong and healthy sense of self allows one to push forward through adversity.”
The first workshop for girls and moms will be held on Nov. 5 from 9am to 2pm at the Ross McKay Public School, in Hillsburgh. The boys and dads session happens at the same location on Nov. 12 from 9am to 2pm.
“These workshops are fun, interactive, interesting and focused on helping children” said Kuntz.
The workshops will include discussion around bullying, body image, understanding others and being strong members of the community and families.
“We hope this will give our younger kids a sense of self-esteem so that they feel they can stand up for themselves, if they need to,” Andrews said.
But Envoy noted it is not just about issues of peer pressure. Academic success is key too.
“Even in school, with a good belief in who he or she is, there is far greater chance that the required academic risks will be less overwhelming and produce better results for the student,” Envoy said.
For more information or to pre-register for the free workshops call 519-780-7107 or email riseup.selfesteem@gmail.com. Participants are asked to bring a peanut-free snack and lunch.
