New funding for Challenge Day program

The Perth County Task Force on Crystal Meth has announced funding to support Challenge Day, a school program that helps Grade 10 students develop respect and empathy for others in their school and community. The funding was announced last Thursday.

“I am pleased that the Perth County Task Force on Crystal Meth has approved these excellent educational programs to combat the scourge of crystal meth in our communities,” said John Wilkinson, Perth-Wellington MPP, in a press release.

Challenge Day is a program that operates on the premise that every child should live in a world where he or she feels safe, loved and celebrated.

The program was put into action for the first time in Perth County in April at Northwestern Secondary School, with very favourable results.  

One Northwestern student, after attending Challenge Day, commented that this program is unique because it “speaks to your heart and then changes it.”

Funding provided by the task force will help implement the Challenge Day program in all Perth County Secondary Schools within both the Avon Maitland District School Board and the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board during the 2008-2009 school year.

“We are grateful for this money, and know that the impact of this program will have a ripple effect on our community,” said Morgan Kneider Patterson, a Northwestern teacher, in the press release.

Additional task force funding has also been awarded to two existing programs; the Co-ordinated Justice Response Program, and the Youth Leadership and Community Engagement Program. The additional funds will be used to extend operation of these programs through to summer 2009.

These programs have been made possible by a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.