Objectives:   

The objectives of this program are:

• To enhance youth self-esteem.
• To increase participants understanding of topics related to their current reality
• To facilitate the development of skills in areas relevant to transitions to high school and their current developmental stages.

Skills & Topics:

The sessions are designed to provide youth with support and skills that will help them address potentially negative experiences, and give them much more information and control than they would ordinarily possess.  The program is designed to cover topics that are most relevant to the participants as well as topics identified by the school counsellors.  In addition to group discussion, sessions encourage active participation through art activities, role plays and games.

 Topics include: self-esteem; body image; fears about high school; communication skills; anger and other healthy emotions; relationships and relationship safety; friendship and peer pressure; goal-setting; family values; and culture and diversity.

Outcomes:

Each Steppin’ Up program is evaluated to measure skills enhancement, increase of knowledge, use of skills and information, levels of fear regarding high schools, impact on distress about family situation, and overall group experience.

In addition a 2-hour session may also be included for parents to learn ways they can support their children and the skills they have learned.