Challenge Day on Christian Island highly successful say organizers
Posted By SHARON WEATHERALL
Posted 2 months ago
Going to school each can be a stressful event if you know you'll be picked on when you get there. It happens everyday and not only at school, some teens face worse challenges at home.
Rich Dutra -St. John the man behind Challenge Day says it's tough for kids at school today because they are often facing issues of self-esteem, isolation, violence, bullying and negative peer pressure. High school aged kids are the focus of his internationally celebrated program for a reason.
"The teen years are significant in that the kids are in the right mind for feelings -they are ready to make a change and have the power to make changes in their lives," said Dutra - St. John.
When the Challenge Day team arrives in a hosting community they expect to see hugs and lots of them. The unique program provides youth and their communities with experimental programs that demonstrate the possibility of love and connection through diversity, truth and full expression.
Challenge Day was founded in 1987 based on real life experiences Dutra -St. John and his wife Yvonne - they didn't want their own children to go through what they did in school being teased and humiliated.
Dutra - St. John was the smallest student in the seventh grade and constantly bullied while Yvonne was teased for being overweight and became bulemic.
"I wanted to kill myself before Junior High School but instead I worked out. Even though I ended up being accepted into the jock group I still didn't have the courage to speak out against kids that were treating others badly. I graduated with honours and became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference. I invited kids to talk to me and there was always a line-up outside my door," said Dutra - St. John who hails from California.
"After her weight loss Yvonne was popular at school and actually crowned home coming queen but she was not happy. We understood what it was like to be on both ends of the spectrum. Since developing the program 22 years ago we have reached more than a million kids -a success that continues through word of mouth."
Last week marked the second Challenge Day event for native secondary school students, the first took place in Penetanguishene last year and was so successful that Beausoleil First Nation (BFN) Education Authority scheduled a two day event on Christian Island this year.
Day One took place on Tuesday November 17 for adults hands-on involving interaction with parents, elders and community members while Day Two on November 18 involved students (and some staff ) from four area highschools -PSS, MSS, St. T'sand Christian Island Place of Learning. All information shared by participants at Challenge Days remains confidential.
Forty people attended the adult session filling the Christian Island community centre with a force field of pent-up emotions that were released through tears of fear, sadness and happiness. It was a day of awakening and promises for future improvements involving youth.
"The turnout was great for the adult session -it was amazing to see so many interested community members," said Dutra - St. John.
"There was a lot of emotion and positive work done. Most important was the message of safe love and the celebration of the kids -you can really make a kid feel good if you let them know you believe in them."
Day Two of the BNF program drew heightened emotions, tears, personal confessions and apologies from the kids involved. They learned that hugs and compassion towards others are stepping stones towards healing and not to hold feelings inside where they can do damage people physically, emotionally and mentally.
According to Challenge Day organizers "being a good listener and feeling what a person is feeling" is the best gift you can give to someone who's hurting -it allows people to connect.
The mission of Challenge Day is to inspire people to be the change' they wish to see in the world, starting with themselves, through compassion and service using the formula for change -notice, choose and act'.
"The response this program has brought to our community and the kids is something that is really needed here on Christian Island - I just hope what we have learned is not forgotten but the community because that's where it starts," said one young mother who participated at both days.
Dutra - St. John says it's up to the adult mentors to carry on and do the next step after the program. During Challenge Day they are encouraged to note any youth that may need follow-up counseling and ensure they receive it.
For more information visit : www.challengeday.org
