|
The Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee plays a critical role in providing the Alberta Government with a youth perspective and helps to identify important issues around bullying for youth in Alberta. The committee provides feedback and advice on proposed strategies, recommendations and findings around bullying prevention. The youth comment on current initiatives and campaigns, and may suggest improvements or new ideas.
Ranging in age from 15 to 22 years, the Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee is comprised of Alberta youth from across the province, representing Edson, Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Edmonton, Vermilion, Standoff and Grande Cache. Panel members represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences, including Aboriginal members and youth at risk. The group also represents both rural and urban perspectives. Alberta Children and Youth Services staff facilitates the panel.
What the committee members all have in common is their desire to make a difference. Not too long ago they were just like you—concerned about bullying and looking for a way to take action. Their concern helped make this website a reality and a resource that will hopefully help thousands of kids.
Amber
I have up until my 12th year of high school. I plan on going back to school to graduate and get into university to become an expressive arts therapist and a social worker.
I was repeatedly bullied from childhood well into my later years of high school. I have been bullied several ways from being spit on to being gay-bashed (even though I am not gay).
My greatest passion is to provide a safe and protective hand to help and support others. I hope to help at least one person feel like they are not alone. Oh, and to put out a line of children’s books.
top
Dakotah
I have up to my 10th year of high school. I am currently a heavy equipment operator for a family company, and I plan to become a social worker. I was bullied throughout school. After I dropped out, I decided nobody should have to go through what I did, so I founded the Vermilion P.E.A.C.E. Committee to try and stop bullying in my community.
My greatest passion is my volunteer work. I will always cherish it; I just love to help people.
top
Daniel
When I was younger, I was one of those kids who had a lot of friends and did anything to fit in. I was a bully, because I wanted to be popular. As I grew up and became more aware of my peers and what I was doing, I became the target. No longer was I the popular kid making fun of others to be popular. I was the kid being picked on because I was different.
I have had a lot of different jobs, but the one I learned the most from was running a program with kids. Kids are the best kind of co-workers, they’re honest, easy to please and down to earth. They have a lot to teach everyone in this world with their innocence and realism, and in the future I hope to become involved with them in a more direct and effective way.
My greatest passion is books. There is nothing a book can’t teach you or take you away from. I never liked to read until I was about 14 years old, when I discovered you could escape from situations that, at the present moment, were a bit overwhelming. Everyone needs a best friend, and sometimes when there is no one around, finding your best friend in a book isn’t such a bad idea.
top
David
One day I hope to be a healer using organic medicines and spiritual healings. Throughout my whole life, I have understood that bullying is a problem. I've been bullied, bullied others and witnessed bullying first-hand. None have been beneficial in any way. I joined the Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee because I know that together we can make a difference in our world. I understand that the only way to prevent bullying behaviours is to work together.
My greatest passion in life is to impact people in a positive way. I love helping people that desperately need it. I want to heal broken hearts and balance out the disorder in our world.
top
Dustin
I am currently in Grade 12 and employed with Alberta Parenting for the Future. For the past seven years I have also been employed as a welder. I have been involved in a number of Alberta Children and Youth Services events, and volunteered for: Youth Forums, the Great Kids Award, Uniting for Children, Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence, the World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence 2005.
I was bullied in elementary and Junior High School. Finally, I had to switch schools in Grade 8 to fix the problem, and now it is not nearly as bad. I see bullying all the time, and was involved in a bullying presentation for kids from grades one to six.
My greatest passion is giving youth a voice.
top
Emilly
I have graduated from high school and plan on attending Grant MacEwan in the Social Work program. I was a member of a musical theatre group (Multi Youth Productions) for four years. Currently, I am employed with Alberta Parenting for the Future as a facilitator. I have extensive volunteer experience, including: Youth Forums, Uniting for Children, the World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence 2005 and several other Alberta Children and Youth Services events. I hope one day to work for Alberta Children and Youth Services, Youth Strategies.
I have been bullied, a bully and a bystander. I have learned hard lessons by being bullied; the things that teach you to be a bully and also teach you to stand up as a bystander. Being bullied has given me the drive to stand up for the people that do not have the support to find help or stand up.
My greatest passions are: helping people who don’t have the support or resources to help themselves, working to advocate for the youth voice (which is often ignored), and musical theatre.
top
Jasmine
I have attended over twenty schools from kindergarten to grade 11. At every school, I was bullied. My anger made me determined to help put a stop to bullying. At the same time, my family was very unstable and I have experienced a lot of family issues. When I put the bullying and the family violence together, I became a very shy, quiet and hurt child.
Early in my teenage years, I got involved in drugs and violence. One day, while still caught up in drugs, I was asked to attend a conference in Banff. It took a lot of persuasion, but I eventually agreed to go when I found out it was four days away from the family violence I was submersed in at the time. I have never enjoyed something so much; the second I left that conference I knew volunteer work was what I wanted. The people there were amazing. I have never felt so happy in my life.
After I started to work on a community project through Youth Strategies, I was asked to attend some conferences on family violence and bullying. I was ecstatic at the thought. Once I realized I could feel this amazing doing this type of volunteer work, I became addicted to it in a big way. I then attended a few more conferences, one being the World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence 2005.
I have now cleaned up a lot of my life, and I owe a great amount to the volunteer work I am involved with. I am very happy that I sit on the Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee, and the Youth Emergency Shelter Review Committee. I feel as if I am making a difference for the better in things that affected me in my early childhood like bullying or living on the streets. I hope in the near future I become involved in more volunteer work because it has given me great confidence in myself. I am in grade 11. I am a waitress, and love to listen to music, sing, and snowboard.
top
Jayson
I obtained my high school diploma in 2002. I have been involved in several community initiatives, including the Kainai Youth Council. Through the Kainai Youth Council, I have taken part in: leadership training, workshop training, teambuilding training, first aid and mentoring. I have volunteered for: Uniting for Children, Youth Forums and the World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence 2005. Currently, I am self-employed by making dreamcatchers, necklaces and mini-leantoos.
Since my family has always been overprotective of me, I was sheltered against bullying. When bullies did confront me, I stood up because I knew nothing would happen to me. I knew that even if something did happen that I would receive help. I have the youth council, and I know that I have people to count on. My greatest passion is to read and learn about new things about the world and all its inhabitants. In the end, I would like to understand all of the world’s mysteries.
top
Samantha
I am currently in Grade 11 and working with Alberta Parenting for the Future, where I have developed anti-bullying programs for children aged 5-10 years old. I am a trained facilitator and facilitate a Connect One program for youth in Parkland County. I was a member of the planning committee for Youth Forums, and have extensive volunteer experience including: the Great Kids Award, Uniting for Children, Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying, and the World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence 2005.
My greatest passions are to help others and work with youth.
top
Shannon
I have up until my 12th year of high school. I have a great deal of volunteer experience which includes: Kainai Youth Council, Students Commission of Canada, Youth Forums, the World Conference on Family Violence 2005. I have also attended several conferences on sexuality and family violence and harm reduction. I have completed life skills and career planning training.
I have been bullied, a bully and a bystander. It began by other girls bullying me, so I took it out on younger girls. I see the issue as cyclical. I was always bullied as a young teenager.
I feel that by being part of the Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee that I can help others who are being bullied, especially my family members.
top
Shawn
I have graduated from Grade 12, and am involved in several community initiatives, including Suicide Prevention, Youth Restorative Action Project and Edmonton Youth Engagements Governance Committee. I have extensive volunteer experience with Alberta Children and Youth Services including: Youth Forums, the Coalition for Street Youth and the Youth Advisory Panel.
From my experience on the streets, I have been on all sides of the bullying issue. My greatest passion is homelessness.
top
Simon
I am currently in Grade 12, and am a trained facilitator. I plan to go to university to become a teacher. I have been involved as a volunteer in several Alberta Children and Youth Services events, including: Youth Forums, the Great Kids Award, the World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence 2005 and an anti-bullying launch in Calgary. I have also developed mini programs for grades 1-6 about anti-bullying, and was involved in a bullying presentation for Parkland schools. I have been bullied, a bully and a bystander.
My greatest passions are helping others and changing the world.
top
Stevie
I am currently a Grade 11 student and a waitress. I am also the President for my Aboriginal Youth Council and involved in the ELITE program where I work in shops to get trade experience. My future plans are to become a mechanic or a welder.
I got involved in the Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee by becoming a youth leader for the Youth Forum in Grande Cache. People in our community are just beginning to realize that bullying is happening and that it is a problem. I have been a bystander and have been somewhat bullied. Being in both positions makes you realize that you can help stop what’s happening. When I was being bullied, I was being hurt and a friend stood up and helped me out.
I’m not sure what my greatest passion is. I guess it’s just to be there for my community when needed.
top
| 