Our Approach
Focused on Culture and Relationship Building.
Experiential activities that build healthy relationships
Resources that build local capacity & leadership
Mentoring support for teachers & facilitators
Art as a tool to engage and promote conversation
Typically programs focus on the delivery of information. While we do share important information we focus on building relationships and trust within groups so people can turn to each other for support, information and guidance. To do this we focus on building a culture that is encouraging, inclusive and safe. We use activities to give participants opportunity to engage and learn together and use those as a springboard for conversation. With our elementary school program examples include mask making, team challenges (like getting everyone through a giant life sized spiders web), and drama exercises to explore consent and personal boundaries. In our “Upstanders” program (secondary and post secondary) this is done through a combination of collaborative scene creation, drama activities and discussions. Each of the activities are very enjoyable and serve as a metaphor for a larger topic we want to explore. When we talk, we do so in a sharing circle as a reminder that we are all equal and have something to contribute. Information is shared through conversation and story, and participants are both learners and teachers.
Instead of only telling people what they cannot do, we explore what they can do to increase the likelihood that their romantic encounters will be met with enthusiasm and appreciation. This equips Peer Leaders with strategies for shaping the behaviours of their peers, offering an alternative to sexually exploitative approaches. The activities and discussions address the nuances of healthy relationship building including:
Verbal and non-verbal communication .
How to set healthy boundaries and respect other people’s boundaries.
The differences between love, attraction, attachment and abuse.
How our needs for acceptance, power, recognition, safety and meaning influence how we approach relationships.
Societal norms that promote unhealthy gender stereotypes and norms.
How to help ourselves and others when unhealthy or unsafe situations arise.
How to stand up for equality and influence change within our school, peer and community cultures.
OUR MISSION:
TO PROMOTE TRUST, CONNECTION, RESILIENCE & LEADERSHIP.
This project started in response to sexual violence and the need for an approach to teaching healthy relationships that is non-threatening, empowering, and builds local capacity while equipping youth to challenge the social norms that allow sexual violence to continue. Whether you’re apart of the school system, with a sports team, workplace or community, this initiative is a resource for you.