Fostering Caring Connections

Tuval Diner & Humberto Carolo with the Caring Connections Award
White Ribbon Office, 2009

White Ribbon Campaign was recognized recently with a “Caring Connections” award from the Toronto District School Board, acknowledging its supportive school-based initiatives to promote gender equality and ending violence against women. This award recognizes community organizations for their contributions to the success and well-being of students in the Toronto region. The celebration took place on May 25, 2009 at the TDSB headquarters and included greetings from John Campbell, the Chair of the Board, Gerry Connelly, the Director of Education, and a presentation from three students that benefited from school-based community programs.

“We’re excited to be recognized for our work with the Toronto District School Board and are looking forward to continuing our partnership in the years to come,” said Tuval Dinner, WRC’s Youth Programs Manager. “There is still a lot of important work to be done to ensure our schools are free of violence and harassment,” he added.

The White Ribbon Campaign is proud to partner with the Toronto District School Board and other organizations to bring its message to young men and women. Our school based initiatives consist of workshops and assemblies on healthy relationships, violence against women, and gender equality throughout the year. Our school conferences include the Boys Summit for students in elementary schools in partnership with the Elementary Teachers of Toronto and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, and Common Ground for high school students in collaboration with YWCA Toronto.

Our educational resources, Campaign in a Box and the Youth Education and Action Kit, and our campaign posters are widely used by educators to help promote gender equality in schools and in the community. In addition, we provide trainings and consulting for teachers on the development of effective strategies to engage boys in preventing violence against women. This year, we are piloting a new school based initiative – the White Ribbon Clubs, a unique program for boys to learn about healthy masculinities, gender equality, and healthy relationships.