Kids Rock 2016 kicks off at G.O. Community Development Corporation

ByG.O. Community Development Corporation

Kids Rock 2016 kicks off at G.O. Community Development Corporation

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ASHTABULA — Building your child’s self-esteem is a main component of bullying prevention, said Julie Wood, outreach coordinator at Homesafe.“With good self-esteem, children are not only more confident, but they are able to identify their strengths and weaknesses,” she said.On Thursday afternoon, Homesafe hosted Kids Rock 2016, an event aimed at limiting the effects of bullying by empowering youth through a special day to promote self-esteem, self-worth and self-confidence. ​The event, for ages 12 to 18, took place at G.O. Community Development Corporation on Station Avenue. Several volunteers from local agencies, such as the Ashtabula’s Health Department and teachers from various schools in Ashtabula County, helped with activities for the children.“We are trying to build self-confidence,” Wood said.Homesafe’s child advocate, Sarah Chapman, signed in the children and gave them a new “Kids Rock 2016” T-shirt.Ashtabula residents Jen Guyton, 23, Amanda Lasko, 29, and Raimonda Garjonyte, 34, all from Kent State University Ashtabula’s occupational therapy assistant program, volunteered their time to help out. Kani Williams, 10, of Ashtabula, said he was the first arrival. He went straight to the gym to shoot some basketball and his brother, Darien Williams, 12, soon joined him.“We love to play basketball,” Kani said.Kids Rock at G.O. offered a basketball shooting competition and ring toss games, as well as the choice of painting a self-portrait or planting a vegetable to take home. Grace Martial Arts from Conneaut showed attendees a few moves for self-defense.In the late afternoon, they spent an hour volunteering at theG.O. Soup Kitchen and then visited the Samaritan House, to “understand the difficulties of the homeless,” Wood said.“We hope they gain self-esteem through helping,” she said.The second Kids Rock event is 9 a.m. to noon June 10 at Giddings Memorial Park, South Market Street, Jefferson, where children will have the choice of different activities, including first aid basics, water safety, fire house and emergency food preparation, along with some community service at the Senior Nutrition Center.Call Homesafe at (440) 992-2727 to save a spot at the Jefferson event.

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