Social Media and Self Esteem-A Talk with Young Women In Jane/Finch
Pictured with the Summer 2018 Girls Cohort of the Success Beyond Limits Program. Image Credit SBL
Yesterday I had an opportunity to connect with 30 beautiful young ladies from Westview's Success Beyond Limits (SBL) program. These young women will be attending Westview Centennial Secondary School in the Community of Jane and Finch in North York Ontario.
Thanks to the recommendation by one of my former high school teachers/mentors (Mrs. Pat Saul), I was connected to the SBL program to conduct workshops aimed at helping the young women in the program.
We discussed Social Media and Self Esteem: Staying Focused and Sane in The Age of Selfies and Snap Chat
The young women were an absolute pleasure to serve.
The SBL program has a special place in my heart because it is housed in my former high school, Westview Centennial Secondary School. This is a school located in Jane/Finch and in a community that is often featured in media for the less than stellar 'newsworthy' stories.
What Jane/Finch was for me, was my training ground. The school of hard knocks if you will. I blossomed into the woman I am today because of my experiences growing up in this community.
Though there are common challenges coming out of Jane/Finch that you would find in any other urban community that is faced with economic inequality, social stigmas, adversity, and poverty, it is truly a unique community filled with heart, diversity and an incredible resolve to overcome obstacles.
Within Jane/Finch, you will find plenty of success stories, countless young people who are making a difference, teachers with heart, community members with guts and grit, and a tapestry of multiculturalism that fosters tolerance, love, and respect for shared human experiences.
Jane/Finch made me. When given the opportunity to speak to young people in my community (it will always be home), I feel blessed and honoured.
When I coauthored my book My Style, My Way, these were the young women I had in my vision for how I would use this book and my story to encourage them. Being a motivational speaker is a passion of mine and I use it to serve youth, particularly those who are faced with learning how to rise above adversity. I can relate to them on many levels, as I've lived similar experiences.
Thank you to Ms. Saul and the coordinators of the SBL program for inviting me to conduct these workshops. It was truly an honour.
Do you have a youth event coming up and need a speaker? Visit my speaker page to find out how I can help your group.