Anti-Bullying Workshop

Teens and preteens are invited to a two and one-half-hour workshop, where they will meet with the Face2Face Youth Group Leadership Team and community leaders to discuss bullying, and then learn some simple but effective self-defense techniques from a renowned martial arts instructor!

The event is being held November 3rd from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Teen Center USA, Elk Grove, at 8978 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95624.

Schedule

12:00 p.m. – Welcome, Pizza lunch & mingle
Youth participants will be treated to pizza and water for lunch, and encouraged to mingle and meet with the other guests and panel members.

12:30 p.m. – Group Discussion
In the first hour, youth will have an opportunity to express their concerns and talk one-on-one with a panel of community leaders about bullying. Agency representatives will be able to hear directly from the teens about which issues they feel need to be addressed, and youth can learn new tools for dealing with bullying when it occurs. Scheduled panel speakers include:

Mayor Steve Ly: Steve Ly is the Mayor of the City of Elk Grove. A nationally recognized educator, Steve Ly has devoted his entire career to educating young people and creating the communities that help them thrive. Steve has served as a trustee on the Elk Grove Unified School Board and is the first Mayor of Hmong descent in the nation.

Kristopher Packwood: Kristopher Packwood is a Crime Prevention Officer with the Elk Grove Police Department’s Community Resources Division crime prevention unit.

Lydia Ajay: Mrs. Lydia Ajay is  a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and the co-owner of Ajay’s Karate. She is a California credentialed school teacher who has taught in the public school system for over 14 years and is very good with the students whether they are children, teenagers, or adults.

Mark and Margaret Arsenault: Mark and Margaret Arsenault are the co-founders and Director and CEO, respectively, of Face2Face Youth Group, Inc.

Bobby Uppal, CADC-II: Bobby is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC-II) and a regular Volunteer with Face2Face Youth Group.

Parents and guardians are welcome to stay and observe. We do ask, however, that parents/guardians not participate in the discussions, so that the youth can address their concerns and benefit from a direct conversation with the community leaders who attend.

1:30 p.m. – Break
We will take a short 10-minute break, allowing participants time to use the restroom and for staff to move furniture as necessary.

1:40 p.m. – Defensive Techniques
The second hour consists of a basic self-defense class taught by Lydia Ajay, a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and the co-owner of Ajay’s Karate. During this portion of the workshop, teens will learn some simple but effective means of defending themselves against physical threats and bullying. Youth will learn how to avoid being struck, how to escape a grab or headlock, and other defensive techniques to empower them to thwart attempts to physically bully them.

2:45 p.m. – Wrap-up
We wrap up the event, present Certificates of Completion, and provide some parting words for the teens who attended.

Registration

Registration is $10 for this event. This fee covers materials, food, and services at the event.