The campaign against bullying in schools continues to gather public attention with the national release of, and ratings controversy surrounding, the documentary film Bully.
Locally, the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and PLAY, Inc. are continuing the anti-bullying conversation with an interactive workshop on April 21.
Teens and adults are invited to attend the free workshop, which will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, 600 S. McClelland St., during the center’s second annual open house.
The event is sponsored by a grant from the McCune Foundation and is being put on by Soul Shoppe, “an organization dedicated to working with school communities to decrease violence, bullying, teasing, isolation, and increase safety, acceptance, respect, and inclusion through interactive workshops,” according to a press release from the city.
The open house will also include tours of the center’s game room, media room, fitness center, and a new computer lab. There will also be booths featuring local agencies that offer teen and family services.
For more information, contact the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department at 925-0951, Ext. 260.
This article appears in Apr 19-26, 2012.