Making Schools More Inclusive and Prevent Bullying #MakingHallwaysBright
Out On Screen, the leading queer arts organization responsible for producing the Vancouver Queer Film Festival and the award winning Out in Schools education program is ready to launch the 2016 Making Hallways Bright campaign.
It all starts on Tuesday November 29th, known as Giving Tuesday, and runs till December 31st, 2016. The campaigns goal is to raise $1 for each student Out On Screen plans to reach through the Out In Schools program this year. This will be the second year in a row that Scotia Bank will match all donations up to $5,000.
Out In Schools uses the power of film and storytelling to bring LGBTQ2+ lived experience to classrooms across the province. Facilitators use film and dynamic discussion providing students and educators with the tools and language to create more inclusive schools and prevent bullying.
Feedback evaluations show that young people leave the presentations with an understanding of homophobia and transphobia’s real impacts, critical thinking skills and an empathetic connection that fosters a commitment to stop bullying.
This past year Out In Schools traveled to Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii. This coming spring plans are in place to travel to the Okanagan, Shuswap and Revelstoke regions. A student from Lillooet Secondary School said “when I saw your presentation I realized that slurs aren’t funny and LGBTQ2+ people are just the same as me. Who they love shouldn’t make a difference in how they’re treated”.
Increase In Demand
Every day there are more schools requesting our presentations and meeting that demand is difficult unless resources grow. With a gift to Making Hallways Bright facilitators can continue to engage our youth and create an environment free of homophobia, transphobia and bullying.
“We aim to reach at least 10,000 students across the province this year” says Brandon Yan, Program Coordinator for Out In Schools. “Last year Out In Schools reached 26 school districts in BC, presenting to more than 12,000 students in 137 presentations. This is the only program of this kind, providing outreach and engagement across the province.
How to Help Out In Schools
People can donate online now through Out On Screen’s dedicated webpage: http://outinschools.com/making-hallways-bright/. Donations over $20 will be eligible for a 2016 tax receipt and all donations made before the end of December will be matched by Scotiabank Robson & Bute branch, up to $5,000, effectively doubling the impact of the gifts made.
Hashtag: #MakingHallwaysBright
Website: outinschools.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/outinschools/
Twitter: twitter.com/outinschools
For 12 years, Out in Schools has facilitated discussions with students and educators, addressing the root causes of homophobia, transphobia, and bullying in BC schools. We’ve reached more than 80,000 students and visited 39 of BC’s 60 school districts. We wouldn’t have made it this far without visionary philanthropists like you. Only you can expand our reach across the province.
Share this page with your friends on social media with the hashtag #MakingHallwaysBright
