FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 31, 2017
Perth County – Volunteers make it happen! For over a decade, The Teen Esteem and Elements programs have been making a positive difference in the lives of youth in Perth County. We are looking to grow our team of school-based mentor volunteers.
The Perth District Health Unit is recruiting adult male and female volunteers for the fall sessions of the Teen Esteem and Elements programs, which will be offered at schools in the following areas:
- Mary’s
- Stratford (Teen Esteem Only)
- Sebringville (Elements Only)
The Teen Esteem and Elements programs are offered to grades 5 and 6 students, at participating schools. The programs run in the schools one lunch hour a week for six weeks.
New This Year
Elements includes newly revised interactive activities and concepts that foster positive mental health and mindfulness. Students are encouraged to connect their thoughts, emotions and actions to improve coping, resolve conflict and improve overall health and wellbeing.
“We hope that people who enjoy working with youth will consider volunteering,” says Courtney MacIntosh, Public Health Nurse. “The feedback we receive from our volunteers is that it’s a fun and innovative way to connect with youth. It’s an opportunity to contribute to the community and empower youth to make healthy life choices.”
St Marys Mayor Al Strathdee who first joined the Elements program in 2007, says: “The chance to mentor youth in a program that helps them look at social situations and life challenges in many different ways, has been a rewarding experience. The program does not involve a big time commitment, but can offer great benefits to many.”
Heather Brock, a volunteer with Teen Esteem says: “I enjoy sharing my own experiences from when I was a teen in hopes that the girls know they aren’t alone in their feelings. It also helps me stay in tune with issues impacting the next generation.”
Evaluations conducted of the program show that the youth who participate respond very positively to the program. Teen Esteem and Elements are based on a mentorship model. Volunteers facilitate activities with small groups of students while also sharing their own life experiences and choices.
Teen Esteem and Elements are operated by the Perth District Health Unit with financial support from Stratford’s Zonta Club and On Stage Dance Studio.
If you are interested in this short-term volunteer opportunity call the Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Donna Bentz, at 519-271-7600 ext 305 or toll free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 305 or email at: dbentz@pdhu.on.ca.
For more information:
- Visit pdhu.on.ca – click on “Volunteers”
- Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/pdhealthunit
- Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/pdhealthunit