Melissa
(She/Her) Youth Facilitator/Speaker
“My experiences, both good and bad, have shaped me into the person that I am today. Growing up I was quiet and withdrawn. I always had my head in a book and struggled with an undiagnosed anxiety disorder. My self-worth was also damaged by experiences with bullying and exclusion. When I was younger I did not have the tools I needed to cope with my negative feelings and often blamed myself for the bad things that happened to me.
It was not until years later when I had grown into a more confident and self-assured person that I had the perspective needed to look back and accept myself. Through understanding anxiety and how it affects me, I learned coping tools (my favourite being box breathing) to help manage my feelings and worries. I learned that both my struggles and my strengths helped me develop into a resilient, empathetic, and well-adjusted person. I hope to use my experiences to help others to accept themselves fully and have courage to face the challenges that come their way.”
Join our Team
We are currently recruiting people who have a passion to contribute to the overall well-being of youth by joining our Board of Directors and/or other volunteer opportunities. The benefits of volunteering include excellent opportunity for involvement in a meaningful experience, the satisfaction of making a difference in the community and with youth, an opportunity to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds, the development of effective decision-making skills and an increased understanding of group dynamics and relationships.
