Powered by Mom Blog is thrilled to share this news on an anti-bullying campaign here at home!
As a mom of a tween I constantly worry about bullying which we sometimes forget can come in different forms, it’s not always physical bullying. I think we’re more aware now than we’ve ever been but to me there is no such thing as too much support for anti-bullying! Please share and read this wonderful news and what this amazing Grade 9 student is doing!
London Drugs supports Surrey teen’s anti-bullying campaign, SWAG (Safe with a Group)
Local project hopes to mobilize generation of change and end bullying
SURREY, B.C., May 13, 2013 – It might be a big undertaking, but a Grade 9 student in Surrey has convinced a lot of people including the RCMP and Kids Help Phone, a simple wristband with a big message could have a very big impact among kids her age.
Siena Stampacchia conceptualized SWAG (Safe with a Group) and the campaign’s blue and pink wristbands for students to wear that lets other students know, “I’m wearing SWAG, I’m here to help and be a friend whenever necessary.”
Like many young adults her age, Stampacchia has witnessed bullying all too often at school and when she discussed the idea of wearing a wristband as a sign and invitation to let others know she would be there for them in a time of need, the SWAG idea resonated with her peers.
“Society establishes an acceptable behavior; this is true among teens and their peers,” says Stampacchia. “It is important to get teens that have a strong influence within their social groups (team captains, fashionistas, student council members etc) to be actively involved to end bullying. By wearing the SWAG wristband it reminds us and those being bullied that we are committed to end bullying – THIS will create change.”
According to Stampacchia, SWAG is intended to support teens who are being bullied by creating a ‘Safe’ show of support around the teen being bullied. This ‘Safe Group’ is a quiet but impactful way to show that bullying will not be tolerated. It starts by getting involved and creating an environment where teens feel Safe With A Group. It is not meant to single out the bullies but rather start a movement that changes the mindset of youth – providing information on what they can do when they see bullying at school or on social media, and who they can contact if they know a youth is at risk of harming themselves or being harmed by others.
Stampacchia has had meetings with Kids Help Phone and through her mother, discussions with the B.C. RCMP Youth Strategies. Both entities are supporting SWAG with additional information and referral services as part the campaign’s educational toolkit.
The SWAG Mantra and pledge:
I will not be silent, I will be your voice
I will not walk by, I will stand with you
I will not ignore you, I will include you
I am not a bully, I am a friend.
The $3.00 SWAG wristbands are available at a variety of London Drugs stores in Western Canada as well as www.londondrugs.com with 100% proceeds going to the Kids Help Phone http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/Teens/InfoBooth/Bullying.aspx
Stampacchia confidently says, “We are becoming the generation of change, we are becoming the generation of acceptance and we are the generation to end bullying.”
Join SWAG on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/SafeWithAGroup?fref=ts and Twitter https://twitter.com/SafeWithAGroup
Tina says
June 11, 2013 at 4:42 AMThis is such a wonderful thing that this student is doing. It is about time someone stood up against bullying and it think it is great that, that someone happens to be a tween. Thank you for sharing this amazing article and I am going to share it also.
Valarie Lee Gentry says
June 10, 2013 at 9:23 AMI am glad to hear of an anti-bullying campaign in London! Teens need as much help as they can get! Teenage years are the most difficult times and the most sensitive. I was bullied as a kid and a teenager and those feelings stayed with me until I was a young adult. I wanted to die. Thankfully I got help before I succeeded at suicide. I’m so happy to be alive now and I just hope the kids out there who are feeling depressed, just talk to someone. Anyone! Holding those feelings inside is the worst thing you can do. Reaching out to just 1 person can make a difference. You are not alone!
poweredbymom says
June 11, 2013 at 9:30 AMHi Valarie thanks for your comment 🙂 the campaign is not in London it’s sponsored by a company called London Drugs in Canada. This campaign is in the Vancouver, British Columbia area.
Melissa Bouck says
June 3, 2013 at 8:17 AMThanks so much for sharing this was an eyeopener….
Jesselyn A/Jesstinger says
June 1, 2013 at 8:47 PMBack when we (Hubby and Me) were growing up (same town – same time) the bullying was merciless, the school and the teachers were worthless and cowardly and only a very few fellow students would reach out to those being “picked on” and the lame (evasive and denial driven) excuse was always “Boys will be boys” (which apparently meant that “girls will be boys will be boys too!” – so not to worry – no harm done right?
Thank you, not only for supporting and promoting awareness (and hopefully) solutions to this very authentic problem, no make that cruel and potentially tragic reality that is far too common and hugely destructive.
Thank you also for sharing the hope that is inspired knowing that today’s young people are choosing to stand up to bullies and not to look the other way (sometimes I think the young students are actually ahead of the parents, teachers and school administrators when it comes to doing the right and wise thing to combat what truly is an epidemic and is finally being recognized for the unacceptable and destructive behavior and putting an end to it.
Stacy Alfano says
May 29, 2013 at 7:28 AMWhat a great campaign! My daughter is entering middle school, so bullying is something I worry about!
Shannon says
May 28, 2013 at 8:00 PMBless you for sharing this!
Wendy says
May 26, 2013 at 10:37 PMthis is a very real & important topic that needs to be addressed, in schools & home. ty for info
Linda Wheeler says
May 26, 2013 at 6:28 PMAnti-bullying education should be mandatory in every school!
Jeri Accardo says
May 24, 2013 at 5:10 PMBullying is horrible! I see so much damage done to people by that, kids and adults alike! This is a great way to get the word out!
lisa says
May 22, 2013 at 3:31 PMIt’s hard enough growing up . People shouldn’t be afraid of bullies. I was picked on and it hurt. I didn’t even know the people. This is very positive.
jennifer mitchell says
May 20, 2013 at 11:36 AMthis is truly amazing I work with kids and some can be so cruel and it really ruins so much for the ones they bully we had 3 suicides and 1 attempted at my school district last year
Debbie Moon says
May 18, 2013 at 3:43 PMGreat story. There are so many kids out in the world that is bullied day by day. This program sounds awesome, love that the kids are stepping up to stop the bullies.
Patricia says
May 18, 2013 at 12:49 PMThis is so touching. Thank you so much for sharing!
Robin Wilson says
May 17, 2013 at 12:37 PMBullying is an epidemic that we can do something about. At least we can try! Being the parent of a child that was teased and bullied, I can tell you that it is heart wrenching to see your child in tears over the hateful words of others. There was not as much pro-active actions then as now, so I did the best I could and luckily it did work out in the end. Great story.
Nicole Hope says
May 17, 2013 at 6:02 AMWhat an amazing story…I am glad someone is stepping up
Beeb says
May 15, 2013 at 9:53 PMThat sounds like a really nice campaign – thanks for sharing.
Becky Schollian says
May 15, 2013 at 4:34 PMHow awesome is this!! I’m involved with my G’sons school anti bullying!! thank you for spreading this psoitive info for us all. I did sign with Facebook.Looking forward to the pledge…
md kennedy says
May 15, 2013 at 11:04 AMWhat a great acronym: SWAG. And a great cause – good for London Drugs!
Nena Sinclair says
May 15, 2013 at 2:11 AMI wish there were more kids like Sienna! It just goes to show, that one person really can make a difference!
Jimmy Arcade says
May 14, 2013 at 5:46 PMIt’s great to see organization supporting such a worth cause. Thank you for sharing!
Patricia Zyska-Pickett says
May 14, 2013 at 2:03 PMExcellent cause for London Drugs to support. I love the SWAG mantra & pledge.
Terri says
May 14, 2013 at 12:22 PMGreat post! Thank you for sharing. What a great mantra and pledge!
Denise Vandenbusch Bohman says
May 14, 2013 at 8:56 AMThis story is great! What a great idea! thanks
Maria Iemma says
May 14, 2013 at 8:40 AMI love this, anything that helps kids/teens I give my support.
carla bonesteel says
May 14, 2013 at 6:51 AMI am so upset about the bullying in America….it’s so sad and wrong. I’m glad you’re helping to do something about it. This program sounds awesome and we need more of this EVERYWHERE. Thank you.
Kaycee says
May 13, 2013 at 11:29 PMI love when kids take initiative! Makes me feel better about their generation!
Sue Hull says
May 13, 2013 at 11:21 PMI’m so happy this young lady is doing this. There’s to many young kids ending their lives from bullies. I was bullied and beat up in my first yr of high school so I know first hand how terrible it is. I’ve signed many pledges against bullying.If we all stand together something will be done about it. Thank you for this post 🙂
lori butler says
May 13, 2013 at 10:50 PMthis is an amazing story