Healthy Relationshipsfor Youth ProgramA school based violence prevention program of the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre and Sexual Assault

Services Association

Suite 204, 219 Main StreetAntigonish, NS B2G 2C1

902-863-3624 ext. 233ruralyouthawrc@ns.sympatico.ca

Web: www.antigonishwomenscentre.com

The HRY Program

Healthy Relationships for Youth Program

Healthy Relationships for Youth is a school based violence prevention program co-ordinated by the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre and Sexual Assault Services Association.

The HRY Program is funded by the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

The Department of Education and the SRSB support teacher and youth facilitator training.

Healthy Relationships for Youth Program

The HRY Program uses a cumulative curriculum which was approved by the Department of Education.

The outcomes are in line with the outcomes of the provincial Healthy Living 9 curriculum.

Teachers work in partnership with a trained youth facilitation team to deliver twelve sessions during regular Healthy Living 9 class.

Belief StatementThe HRY Program is basedon the belief that sexism,

racism and homophobia are forms of oppression can contribute to violence.

Goal of the HRY Program

To reduce the risk of violence for youth through developing skills and knowledge related to creating and maintaining healthy relationships.

HRY Program Objectives To engage Grade 9 students in ten school sites within

the Strait Regional School Board, in a series of classroom sessions designed to promote healthy and respectful relationships.

To assist youth in developing the attitudes, values and skills they need to build and maintain healthy relationships.

To increase students’ understanding of racial/cultural diversity specifically relating to the Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian community.

HRY Program Objectives

To increase students’ awareness of issues related to violence prevention and social inequities from a gender based perspective.

To foster youth development which includes: peer support, youth empowerment, youth-adult partnerships, meaningful contribution and experiential learning.

The HRY Program Curriculum

Curriculum Index

1. Introductory Session

2. Focus on Diversity

3. Communication Skills

Curriculum Index

4. Separate Gender

5. Boundaries

6. Conflict Resolution

Curriculum Index

7. Stereotypes & Pop Culture

8. Gender Identity &

Sexual Orientation

9. Power & Violence: Part One

Curriculum Index

10. Power & Violence: Part Two

11. Folklore & Story Telling

12. Where Are We Now?

The HRY Team!

Participating Schools Canso Academy

Chedabucto Academy

J.H. Gillis Regional High School

East Antigonish Academy

St. Mary’s Academy

Participating Schools

Cape Breton Highlands Academy

Dalbrae Academy

Inverness Academy

Richmond Academy

HRY Partnerships

Teachers

Community Facilitators

Youth FacilitatorsProgram Coordinator

SRSB

Roles and Responsibilities

What makes the HRY partnerships work?

The HRY Coordinator

Presents facilitator training and skill development

Conducts monthly school visits to meet with youth facilitators and teachers

Attends workshops to enhance learning on diversity or facilitation skills development

Plans and prepares public presentations Looks for program funding opportunities

Healthy Living 9 Teachers& Community Facilitators

Present the HRY Program and mentor youth facilitators

Attend regular HRY Team meetings Complete the HRY Program evaluation

process Welcome classroom support from

community based workers

The Youth Facilitators Participate in two days of training on HRY

program curriculum and related issues Co-facilitate with the Healthy Living 9 teacher

in order to present HRY Program Develop a school based activity to promote

healthy relationships; Youth Action Plans Promote respectful behaviours among peers

HRY Program Youth Action Plans

The objective of Youth Action Plan is to bring the HRY message of violence

prevention to the whole school. This is a youth facilitator initiative to prevent or raise

awareness of a form of violence considered important to the youth

facilitators.

Youth Team Activities

International Day of Action on Violence Against Women

Workshop facilitation at forum:Girl Talk: Responding to Violence Against Girls and Young WomenFebruary 18-19, 2010St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish

HRY Presents…Speak Up!

Hosted by Dalbrae Academy in AprilGuest speaker Jim JordanWorkshops by Youth Project,

Leeside, SANE, Youth Health Centre, RCMP, Addiction Services

Two workshops prepared and delivered by HRY Youth Facilitators

HRY Youth Leadership Training

St. Francis Xavier University

May 27-29, 2010

Catisha Scanlon and Amber Delory Facilitating a Diversity Activity

Rory Campbell and a youth facilitator playing Rory for a skit

making activity called “Throwing the Stone.”

Violence Prevention Day

Hosted by Inverness Academy in MayWorkshops by Leeside, SANE, Youth

Health Centre, Addiction Services, and HRY Coordinator

Snacks provided to students Special guest Erin Simmsof Antigonish Music Therapy

HRY Youth Facilitators Spread the Word !

The program’s success comes in students teaching students. Both we as youth facilitators and the grade nines are learning and teaching each other. The binds that hold the student body together are tightened and reinforced when we interact with each other on a positive level. …

Meagan Cameron, Dalbrae Academy

Youth Facilitators Spread the Word

The HRY Evaluation Report 2009/2010

Question 1: Please rate how useful it was to learn about the following topics and provide an example of what

you learned.

1. Please rate how useful it was to learn about the following skills and topics.

not helpful somewhathelpful

helpful very helpful

Violence in RelationshipsCommunication SkillsConflict ResolutionSeeing DiversityStereotypes

Stereotypes

“I learned that it affects both male and female”

“some guys are as self conscious as some girls”

“that both genders have stereotypes about other genders that are not right”

Diversity

“No matter where we are, there will always be someone with different beliefs and we should accept that”

“To recognize and respect the diversity around you”

“To respect all cultures”

Conflict Resolution

“ You both need to talk it out and agree, not just one person”

“That being assertive is the best way to handle things”

“That it is important not to let your temper get the best of you or you may say/do something you regret”

Communication Skills

“Ways to communicate with people without hollering or being angry”

“That holding in what you want to say isn’t always the best thing”

“How to talk about what I’m feeling and how to convey my emotions”

Violence in Relationships

“That nothing justifies violent behaviour in a relationship!”

“How relationship violence starts and the cycle of relationship abuse”

“That it is wrong and no one deserves it”

37%of students reported a change

in behaviour after participating in the HRY Program

Reported Changes in Behaviour

“I stopped yelling at my parents when we’re fighting”

“I took into consideration about solving problems instead of just not caring”

“Yes, I used to make some racist jokes but now I don’t”

“I don’t stereotype genders as much”

Changes in Relationships, Self-esteem, and school

Changes in Relationships, Self-esteem, and School

30%20% 14%

68%77% 81%

2% 3% 5%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

your relationships your self-esteem your school

for the better the same for the worse

Relationships

“I no longer blame myself for my boyfriends violence”

“I learned how to be more confident with others”

“Because I’m more aware of healthy and unhealthy relationships”

Self-Esteem

“I see myself with more rights now” “I feel way better about my body” “I learned to believe in myself more” “I now think of myself as an

individual who is very unique and beautiful”

School

“People still use LGBT insults, which I dislike”

“Not our entire school changed, not the entire school did HRY. I’d say our class got better though.”

“I’m doing my homework and study now”

“People don’t bully as much”

Rating HRY Program Components

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Separategender

Doing Roleplays

Watching adating

violence video

Watching avideo abouthomophobia

Very U.UsefulS. UNot U.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Not H. S. H. Helpful Very H.

Helpfulness of Youth Facilitators

Youth Facilitators I liked when we got split up and really

talked about all the things with Nikki. I think that having kids from older grades

come in and teach in place of the teacher is a very, very good approach.

I learned it is easier to talk to or discuss as a class with the youth facilitators, seeing how some of the subjects covered aren’t something I would talk to a teacher about.

Overal Impression of the HRY Program

35%

41%

21%

3%

V. GoodGoodFairPoor

Healthy Relationshipsfor Youth Program

Thank you!