Big Sisters wears pink!

Today, February 26th, we wear pink for this year’s important #pinkshirtday.

This year’s theme is #Lifteachotherup and it couldn’t resonate closer to the work we do. Our program Go Girls’ aim is to instill healthy habits in girls aged 10-14 and help girls from a same school build bonds with their other classmates. When girls are at an age where they tend to point each other’s flaws, we work to show them each other’s common traits and stories. Through the activities of the program, they are able to discuss with one another and talk about body positivity, self-esteem, relationships and help build each other up in one of the most difficult period of a teenager. Ultimately, girls are able to build a connection to their peers that makes them less likely to bully one another.

As one our Go Girls! mentor witnessed, “when the girls learn to know each other, they start to relate to others and are far less likely to bully one another for their flaws. As a mentor, it has been extremely rewarding to teach and show them that listening is the most important part of developing empathy for another human”. 

T.H.I.N.K before you speak – Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is is Kind?

We know that – 

• 37% of girls report having been bullied online
• Up to 40% of the Littles we serve report struggling with mental health. 
• 1 in 5 BC girls report harming themselves. 

It is therefore urgent to teach tweens to T.H.I.N.K before they speak. Comments and behaviour, if not considered before being spoken, can impact one’s wellbeing, self-confidence and cause a lot more harm than intended. We work each day to teach our youth just that. 

Our program has been a tremendous success in various schools of the Lower Mainland and is in growing demand.

Although the in-school work we do receives fantastic feedback and is a tangible anti-bullying solution to help end school ground bullying, it is also outside of schools that we all have a duty to lead by example. Therefore, let’s wear pink everyday to show our youth the power we have to #lifteachotherup through our action and words. Let’s build a world free of bullying, rather filled with empathy, love and respect.