Youth Ambassadors across the province have expressed an abudance of creative energy, creativity, inspiring ideas, and the following words of wisdom:

• “It was fun and opened different doors. I really enjoyed it.”
  “I feel like I learnt a lot about how to describe other people, and the origin of words."
  
• “We are like chocolate candy – whether we are blue, red or green on the outside we are the same on the inside – everyone is equal.”
• “Don't judge someone before you know them.”
• “People are different when they open up.”
• “I know I wouldn't be where I am without all the people who helped me. There are lots of people who help others – I want kids to learn that helping is the least we can all do.”
• “Show people the way to the help they need. Some people need long term help to learn that it is safe enough to let down their guard.”
• “I had a really great time at the training! My favourite part was all the really nice people there. I also found that the information about constructive criticism was helpful, and liked how the games weren't only fun but had good messages to them.”
• “Thank you so much for doing these seminars, I can't wait for the next one!”

Diversity Stars have expressed their thoughts and opinions to their Community Organizer:

After attending a Multicultural Day in Cowichan Valley and a “Standing Up for Inclusion’ workshop led by their local Youth Ambassador Team at Alexander Elementary school, Diversity Stars said the following:

“I had fun on Multicultural Day because all of the activities were really fun. Everyone like it a lot, but different people liked different things. The ones I liked were Russia, Korea, Meti, Taiwan, Diversity and Mongolia. I liked all of them because they were fun even though they were different than us. I like the Diversity group because it was about standing up for people.”

“My favourite group was Diversity because I really learned a lot from the people there. I know how some of the people feel because I get teased too because of my skin colour. So it feels good to know that people are standing up for teasing.”

“…After that, we went to the youth group. One girl was Romanian and her parents weren’t, that makes her adopted. We saw a guy in a wheelchair playing tennis. Just because you’re in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. At our school, Adam has fun all the time because others include him. That’s what some people need to learn. I’m glad I got to learn about so many different cultures, differences, and standing up for other kids.”

Powell River delivered the following mini-survey questions to find out what their five Diversity Stars thought about the workshop:

I know more about respecting people’s differences: I totally agree (4), Yeah, somewhat (1)

I have a better understanding of what it feels like to be excluded: I totally agree (1), Yeah, somewhat (4)

I feel more comfortable about standing up for anyone who is being hurt by other kids because they are different: I totally agree (4), Yeah somewhat (1)

Safe Adults (teachers, counsellors, supervisors, parents) who attended the Children Safe Harbour Workshop led by Youth Ambassadors had this to say:

• “Great atmosphere, Activities that encouraged risk taking in a comfortable way.”
• “It was fun, energetic, had a welcoming feel.”
• “I like how well everyone cooperated together and that everyone was open minded from the start.”
• “Active, friendly, high pace, knowledgeable, inspiring, purpose.”