Conversation Series

The situation caused me to lose who I was, and where I belonged. I felt like I had lost all my strength and that I had no hope of ever getting out. My teacher, Mr. Llewellyn, nominated me to attend the Werklund Foundation's Empowering Minds™ program and the experience changed my life…… But I almost didn't go.

I was scared. Scared of not knowing anyone. Scared of not being able to complete the program. Scared of what I was getting myself into. I didn't know anyone else who was going. I had lost all my self esteem and had no confidence. I knew I had to make a change.

If my teacher saw potential in me, maybe someone else would too. And what I found after graduating from Teen Leadership Breakthrough is that I am, and I always have been strong. I have made a difference.

Before going to this program, I would have never been able to share my story. Through the various challenges we experienced, I learned something about myself and as an individual, overcame my greatest fears. I now know, I have the potential to do more. I learned that with every weakness, I actually have a greater strength. I will never let someone put me down again. I will never let someone take away my power and who I am. I now have the confidence and motivation to change. To lead. To make a difference at school, at home and in my community. It is not just about me. My family is stronger. My relationships are better. And I am not afraid to speak up for myself. Students have tremendous pressure on them every day … with the internet, social networks, peer pressure. Life is hard.

Yet the decisions I make now, will impact my life forever. Empowering Minds™ helped me see a future. To have the confidence to believe in myself and do whatever it takes to get there.

Today, I have a clear goal. I am going to be a paramedic in the military. I have talked to my school guidance counsellor, my teachers and my family and we have a roadmap to get me there. I know the courses I need to complete and the skills I need to develop. I am on track!

Empowering Minds™ is life changing, not only for yourself but everyone around you. I truly believe every person is born with the potential to lead. It's such a small investment in the future.

I am blessed that I was given this gift. My hope is that this program becomes available to all teens across Canada. Empowering Minds™ changed my life. I am empowered!

From a human capacity building perspective, I love this program and here are the reasons why:

• Empowering Minds™ programs are empirically evaluated and the results are noteworthy. The teen leadership program improved performance especially in the areas of emotional intelligence and self-concept.
• The program starts where each individual person requires regardless of age, gender, strengths or limitations. Every participant has the potential to get what they personally need out of the program and to move it forward.
• It uses both left brain (rational, critical) and right brain (creative, curious) techniques that work extremely well with this population and at a critical time of their brain development and identity development.
• The Empowering Minds™ programs are systemic. The program impacts not only the participants but the other systems they influence or have influence over them like their family settings, the school system, the community and the larger collectivity of us.
• Empowering Minds™ Programs are resource based and build upon the strengths of the participants as well as strengthening the support networks they rely on so they can go on to make better decisions for themselves.

Times have changed and new pressures and dangers are facing teens. Statistics indicate that social pressures around teens are starting earlier like sexual encounters, binge drinking, internet gambling, the use of drugs especially prescription drugs, the rates of teen depression are up considerably, the impact of technology, more competition for higher education seats and youth unemployment is double the national average.

Teens don’t instinctively know how to grow up into healthy adults. Their lives are typically fast paced and competitive. Empowering Minds™ needs mentors who fight for preventative programs that could be easily overshadowed by the requirements of teens who are struggling in the criminal justice system, the mental health system, the addiction systems all of the systems that are really costly in terms of dollars and in worry and pain. This is the only program of this type that I am aware of in Canada. Empowering Minds™ does just what it says but it empowers voices as well. Those who complete the program are better prepared to take charge of their lives in positive ways and to build student capacity and resourcefulness.