The federally funded Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada is celebrating 40 years in existence this year.
And among the programs it funds is a long-standing initiative run by researcher Diana Coholic at Sudbury's Laurentian University.
In it, she tries to improve kids' coping skills, self-esteem and relationships.
The holistic arts-based program teaches youth ages 11 through 17 about being better people, through inclusion, self-expression and being in a safe place to express themselves.
"We want youth to feel better. We want them to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. We have a lot of youth that tell us they can be authentic in our program, and that they can't really, they don't really feel like they can do that in other areas of their life." said Coholic.
During the twelve-week program, facilitators design a variety of activities that focus on building resilience and self-esteem.
Daniela Folino and Kenneth Lander are program facilitators.
"We give each participant an envelope that they can decorate themselves and we also give them a piece of paper so they are able to write positive affirmations or something that's really kind about themselves or others. It's a great activity because it does foster that sense of inclusion in the group and we talk a little bit about how it's really hard to say something nice about ourselves, so we really have a great discussion about that." said Folino.
"What we do is go around, and we kind of put in any thoughts or emotions we have during the day and then we shake the jar. This is how our brain usually goes and things can be kind of busy and active during our day. But when it settles and we apply our mindfulness skills and concepts, we see how everything settles down and we can see each thought and emotion. We are not judging them, we are just acknowledging them." said Lander.
The program has been taking place for the past ten years now and organizers say they are currently recruiting for the next one, which begins in January.
