SMITHFIELD - Marking National Bullying Prevention Month this month, the Brightway Center is offering a workshop set from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the 2511 county Road 15 center.
The workshop is for youth ages 14-18.
The Youth Advisory Committee of the Community Foundation of Jefferson County in August awarded Brightway a grant to enable the center to provide the program to area teens at a low cost.
"The leadership displayed by members of the county youth advisory committee is an inspiration and it is the center's goal to help shape youth into leaders like each of them," said Jennifer Trehar, director of advancement.
The committee's commitment to helping the children and families served by Brightway is a testament of the Christian spirit to fulfill Kara Bright's vision, according to center officials.
It was Bright's donation of home and property to keep his goal of leading youth to Christ intact that formed Brightway, they said.
For a suggested donation of $5, the workshop is an eight-hour program designed to equip participants with the skills needed to deal with and survive bullying as well as how to prevent it, according to Trehar.
"It will also arm them with the proper resources to seek help for themselves or a friend," she said.
Trehar explained that some 13 million students, about one-third of all attending school, are bullied every year. Experts say that puts them at greater risk of falling behind in their studies, abusing drugs or alcohol or suffering mental or other health problems.
Daryle Griffin, president and CEO of Brightway Center, said, "The workshop creates a safe environment where the youth can have open discussions regarding personal experiences and concerns. This is done without the fear of judgment or shame."
The teen bullying prevention workshop also provides positive practices and techniques for teens in building self-esteem and realizing their own self-worth.
Workbooks are given to participants to take home. In addition, the workbooks contain a special journaling section to keep the conversation going. Lunch and snacks will be provided. To sign up for the workshop, contact Yvonne Goll, director of programming at ygoll@brightwaycenter.org or call (740) 733-7480.
