Violence Prevention Program (VPP)
The Violence Prevention Program is a free service designed to promote health, wellbeing and resiliency and a change in attitudes and beliefs regarding violence and bullying. The program accomplishes this through interactive workshops and presentations for students and youth, ages 12-18, and their families.
The top 5 workshops offered by the Violence Prevention Program are:
1. Cyber Safety
Social needs for teens and adolescents are prominent and many of these needs are met online due to technological advancements and online accessibility. With the growing number of social media platforms and an increased number of children using the internet unsupervised, education and awareness on how to use the internet and social media safely is paramount. This workshop is designed to educate students on how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly. This interactive session covers key topics such as exploring ways to protect our digital identity, recognizing the signs of attempted identity theft, understanding the risks of interacting with inappropriate content, and so much more.
2. Conflict Resolution
Conflicts are a natural part of human interactions, but without the adequate skills set to resolve these conflicts, it can escalate and lead to misunderstandings, damaged relationships, unproductive environments, and at times violence. The conflict resolution workshop is designed to educate students on how to effectively resolve interpersonal conflicts. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and movement based activities the students will have the opportunity to learn about effective communication, boundary setting, and the many healthy responses to conflict.
3. Healthy (peer) Relationships
Healthy relationships are essential for emotional well – being, personal development, and creating a sense of belonging. This workshop is designed to support youth in learning about the skills needed in order to have relationships that promotes healthier life choices. Through interactive discussions and activities, students will explore topics such as Healthy Relationships: boundary setting, peer influence, youth dating violence, and so much more. The goal is for the students to become more self aware and for them to practice critical thinking about what makes a relationship healthy versus unhealthy.
4. Combating Racism
Combating racism in the community creates a space where everyone feels welcomed and included without fear of judgement or harassment. This requires shared knowledge and an understanding that as individuals we are more than our social categories. This workshop is designed to educate students on what racism is – both covert and overt. Through opened group discussions, students will have the opportunity to practice self – reflection and become aware of the impact words, actions, and attitudes may have on others. The key topics that are explored are systemic racism, macroaggression, discrimination, stereotypes, the difference between cultural appreciation versus cultural appropriation, privilege, and exploring strategies that can combat racism.
5. Self-Esteem
Having healthy self-esteem is foundational for our mental wellness. Putting forth our best effort, learning from mistakes and setbacks, and persevering when we experience challenges leads to skill and confidence building, which ultimately leads to success and having a healthy self – esteem. The self esteem workshop is designed to help students build confidence, develop a more positive self – image, learn strategies to overcome negative self – talk, and discuss the dangers of comparison. The goal of this workshop is to promote self – respect, personal growth, and maintaining a healthy mindset.
Our other topics include:
- Cyber safety
- Sexual Harassment
- Anger Management
- Gender & Sexual Inclusivity
- Dating Violence
- Youth Gang Awareness
- Conflict resolution
- Stand Against Bullying
Requests for a free workshop can be made by individual schools and community organizations. If you are interested in booking a speaker, please contact K’Lee Watson at [email protected] or fill out the contact form below.
Contact Form
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We are grateful for the generous support of our funders and partners. Their commitment empowers us to create meaningful change in the lives of youth and families across Durham Region
