Community Justice Initiatives Association will be collaborating this year with Apex Secondary School on a new program for students called “Fostering Resiliency: Building Connections, Building Community”.
Apex Secondary School is an alternate high school for grades 7-12 whose mission is to re-engage students in their education, family and community through restorative practice. Community Justice Initiatives Association is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to providing peace building skills to youth in Langley School District. The project is being supported generously by Langley branches of TD CanadaTrust.
The “Fostering Resiliency” program strives to educate and equip grade 12 students with mentoring and leadership skills. Apex students must apply to be accepted into the program, and be committed to giving back to the school, the district and the community.
The focus will be on helping new junior students (ages 11-13) with life lessons, and being a positive role model and influence on school culture. Grade 12 students will go into the junior classrooms three times a week and offer guidance and advice. Through positive mentoring relationships, they will create and build a strong school community.
Outcomes of the program include: increased self esteem, enhanced team building skills, and positive leadership development.
The older students at Apex have experienced a lot of adversity in their lives. Their knowledge will help the younger students build positive futures. The program will also help all participating students become positive contributors in their community.
Pictured left to right: Dan Basham, CJI School Coordinator;
Linda Zanette, District Vice President, TD CanadaTrust;
Steve Hamel, Apex student; Brian Baddley, Apex student;
Cole McTavish, Apex student; Brandon Justus, Apex student;
Mindy Janzen, Apex Counsellor/Leadership Teacher;
Brian Gordon, Branch Manager, TD CanadaTrust
