“Mental Health is a topic that hits close to home for me personally. I’ve been struggling with it since I was younger, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized that the things I deal with actually have a name: Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder and Depression. These disorders make me feel disconnected from family and friends; like I just don’t have a place anywhere. I felt like who I am in general won’t ever fit and that I will be a failure at everything . I can remember talking to school counsellors every school year, being taught the same techniques to deal with the heavy feelings I felt daily that for the most part would rarely work. It wasn’t until I came to the P.E.A.C.E program that I finally felt the weight of the anxiety and panic attacks lessen and lift off my shoulders. The environment as well as the amazing teacher and staff I see daily have helped more than any of the many counsellors I’ve seen over the years. The Peace staff give me an environment which makes me feel both comfortable and important. The program offers many amazing things, like the peace pens.
Thank you for supporting our program.
— Brooke (Grade 12 student of the Peace Program)
What is the PEACE Program?
PEACE (Personalized Experiential Alternative Caring Education) program is an alternative school for teens who have anxiety, depression and personal issues that interfere with their schooling. It is a second chance for many students, where students can have teacher support, learn techniques to overcome obstacles, and learn new skills through Peace Pens: a student-run, self sustaining business. These high-school aged students earn credits creatively, and partake in engaging alternative activities including fitness, outdoor education, and art workshops. All pens and other products in the PEACE shop are custom made and created from start to finish by students in the program. Each item has its own unique style reflective of the creator. Any item purchased will come with an insert containing a description of the program, the type of wood or acrylic used, and the name of the student who created the item.
Student benefit from:
- social, emotional, educational support in a small group
- desire experiential learning opportunities as an alternative to traditional schooling
- committed to gal setting in order to be successful in their academic and personal lives
Academic Components
Academic Components:
- accumulate credits through experiential learning, an existing job, or a volunteer position.
- skills for lifelong learning
- accumulating credits and developing skills in literacy, numeracy, problem solving and technology
- making informed decisions on personal education and career choices
Non- Academic Components:
- self-awareness, self confidence, self advocacy
- anger management
- stress management
- conflict resolution
- family relationships
- peer relations
- career exploration
- transition to secondary or post-secondary school
PEACE PEN 