World Literacy of Canada

Stepping in to help someone who is being bullied, excluded or targeted by oppression isn't easy for anyone - children or adults.

World Literacy of Canada and Community Builders Youth Leadership's Ally Stories project addresses issues such as bullying, racism, prejudice and sexism while training youth to become allies to each other.

The Ally Stories project takes elementary students through three years of leadership development in the areas of inclusion, non-violent conflict resolution, and peer support listening. The young leaders begin the program when they are in grade 4 or 5. Each year they attend a very full experiential four-day leadership institute with students from 4 to 5 other schools in their area. Teams of 8-10 students attend with lead teachers from their school. When they return to school, they take leadership in a variety of ways. Their first project is to present student-led workshops to the students at their school. When the workshops have finished, they work together with the lead teachers from their school to design and implement other projects.

The Results:
- Student leaders have successful leadership experiences as active citizens in their school communities;
- Stakeholders (other students, parents, teachers) are pulled in to the process of making positive changes in their school environments;
- Anti-bullying and inclusion needs in schools are addressed by the students;
- Initiatives to end bullying, racism and other oppressions are implemented by the students;
- Students acquire lifelong skills in the areas of leadership, inclusion and equity.

The Ally Stories publication is available through Community Builders Youth Leadership. For more information or to order the book, contact Community Builders at info@cbyouthleadership.org.