Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver is hosting their 1st Annual Teen Summit: Power, Oppression and Diversity on Saturday, March 28th. The one day workshop is for teen volunteers in the agency’s Teen Mentoring Program. This interactive session will include guest speakers, a film presentation, improv theatre and other activities to get teens thinking critically to better prepare them to be advocates of diversity through mentoring.
The Teen Mentoring Program matches teens in grades 10, 11 and 12 with elementary school aged children in nearby elementary schools. Teens and their Little Buddies spend one hour each week together playing games, doing arts and crafts and hanging out. The agency currently serves over 200 matches in Metro Vancouver, as well as the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.
“We’re serving two kids, really. We’re providing opportunities for teens to gain experience and volunteer hours while building valuable leadership skills and helping the kids build self-esteem,” says Eric Brown, Mentoring Coordinator and workshop organizer at BBGV.
The workshop’s inspiring speakers include reps from the YMCA who will speak to resume building, leadership and volunteer experience. Reps from GAB Youth Services from the LGBTQ Centre will address queer youth growing up in Vancouver, homophobia and discrimination. Teen mentors will also be watching Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, a documentary highlighting sexism, racism and homophobia in hip hop music and culture.
Between speakers and the film presentation will be group discussions to encourage teens to not only think critically but to speak up. ITSAZOO Productions, an improv troop for social change, will wrap up the workshop with group theatre sport activities.
For more information about the Teen Mentoring Program, or about any of the agency’s other programs, visit www.bigbrothersvancouver.com or call 604.876.2447 ext. 236.
