School Outreach Programs
Outreach Programs
Healthy Relationships Plus (HRPP) & Roots of Empathy (ROE)
At BGC Fort Saskatchewan, we proudly support impactful school outreach programs designed to nurture positive relationships, foster emotional intelligence, and build stronger, more empathetic communities.
These programs, delivered in partnership with schools, aim to equip children and youth with the skills and understanding they need to succeed both personally and socially.
Healthy Relationships Plus Program (HRPP)
Building Positive Connections and Promoting Mental Health
The Healthy Relationships Plus Program (HRPP) is a small-group program tailored to support adolescents in developing essential life skills while addressing mental health, suicide prevention, and addiction prevention. This 14-session program, delivered in one-hour increments, is facilitated by community professionals, counsellors, or educators and focuses on skill-based strategies to promote healthy relationships and reduce risky behaviours.
Youth Camp offered during spring break.
Program Highlights
- Targeted Approach: Emphasis on mental health, responsible decision-making, and addiction prevention.
- Skill Development: Enhances critical thinking, self-awareness, and problem-solving abilities.
- Healthy Attitudes: Encourages empathy and understanding in social interactions.
- Positive Impact: Assists youth in making responsible choices to promote mental health and reduce harmful behaviours.
By equipping young people with the tools to navigate complex social and emotional challenges, HRPP fosters a foundation of resilience, healthy relationships, and positive mental health.
Why HRPP?
- Enables effective communication.
- Encourages extensive skill development and role-play activities to develop effective responses.
- Provides exposure to healthy alternatives.
- Targets the prevention of violence through the promotion of positive, healthy relationships.
- Teaches relationship skills similar to academic and athletic skills.
- Provides skills to manage situations where youth are confronted with conflict.
- Equips youth with the skills to engage in healthy relationships.
Roots of Empathy transforms classrooms into safe and caring spaces where children become the changemakers.
By fostering emotional literacy, the program empowers students to create a kinder, more inclusive society.
Roots of Empathy
Empowering Children to Build a Kinder World
The Roots of Empathy program is an evidence-based classroom initiative that develops empathy in children and reduces levels of bullying and aggression. Created in 1996 by Mary Gordon, this internationally recognized program has made significant strides in promoting emotional intelligence and social competence among primary and elementary school children.
Program Highlights
- Baby as Teacher: At the heart of the program is a neighbourhood infant and parent who visit the classroom nine times over the school year. Students observe the baby’s development and learn to label their feelings and intentions.
- Experiential Learning: Trained instructors guide students in reflecting on their own emotions and understanding the feelings of others.
- Emotional Literacy: Builds skills in empathy, perspective-taking, and emotional understanding.
- Global Impact: Delivered in multiple languages across Canada, including rural, urban, and Aboriginal communities, as well as on three continents.
Program Objectives
- Short-Term: Raise levels of empathy, leading to more respectful and caring relationships.
- Long-Term: Build the capacity for responsible citizenship and responsive parenting in future generations.
Learn more about School Outreach Programs!
Are you a parent, guardian, or youth interested in learning more about these programs? Would you like to know if they are offered at your school? Contact our Programs Director for details and see how your child can benefit from these transformative programs.