“Start with Hello” in Leeds & Grenville
The Every Kid in our Communities (EKIOC) coalition believes that every child and youth deserves to feel connected, valued, and supported by their community. That’s why we’ve adapted the Sandy Hook Promise “Start with Hello” campaign for Leeds and Grenville. Our mission is simple: to encourage all adults and influencers of youth to take the first step in building positive, supportive relationships with children and youth. By starting with hello, we lay the foundation for meaningful connections that help youth thrive.
According to the Search Institute, young people need at least three caring, non-parent adults in their lives—adults who show up, listen, and make them feel appreciated. When we, as a community, actively reach out and show that we value and care for our youth, we create a stronger, more resilient future for them.
On November 20th, National Child Day, we invite you to reflect on the rights and well-being of children and youth everywhere, and to join us in taking action locally. National Child Day is a reminder that every young person deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard in their community. By collectively “Starting with Hello,” we can create a future where children and youth are connected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Together, we can make a lasting difference!
Check out our media release in English and French for more details.
Getting Ready to “Start with Hello”
Whether you are able to dedicate a little, or a lot of time, “Start with Hello” can be tailored to any group.
Here are a few resources to get you started:
- The Breaking the Ice card is designed to help everyone feel more comfortable in Starting with Hello and extending the conversation or interaction. They are reminders that talking to anyone involves very simple things like a smile, a comment, or a listening ear. These cards remind us that youth are people who want to be noticed, acknowledged and valued, the same as us! You can print them directly from the hyperlink above. Sneak a peek at a card before you go out and intentionally say hello to a youth you might see. Or, keep some cards with you to hand out to other adults for their use. Or, share them with your friends, neighbours and colleagues.
Ways to Build Positive Relationships
- “Start with Hello”….. then build a positive relationship. Help young people discover how to become their best selves using the Developmental Relationship Framework from the Search Institute.
- The Search Institute’s Relationships Check is a tool for self-reflection and conversation among practitioners, educators, peers, and families. It helps everyone who works with youth to gain insights on their relationships with important young people in their life. It helps you learn where relationships are strong and where they can grow.
Sample Social Media Posts
- Together we can spread the “Start with Hello” message! Remember to promote and share your stories/activities on social media. Consider using the following hashtags within your posts: #StartWithHelloLG,#MakeADifferenceLG, #EKIOC.
- Print the stickers (linked above) on 3⅓” x 4″ labels and use as a giveaway/promotional item.
- Print the button logos (linked above) in colour on 8 ½ x 11 paper and cut each one out leaving some white space around the logo. Follow the instructions in this guide:
- Button maker machines and supplies for 2”round buttons can be ordered here: https://peoplepowerpress.org/pages/button-maker-machines-button-supplies
- Or, check with your local library to see if they have a 2” button maker to lend out.