“Thank you Harriet. I am excited to continue to grow using the tools you have taught me. I am sure you will go on to touch so many lives. I think your workshops are wonderful way to give back to society. I am thankful to have been apart of the spectacular learning experience. Thank you again for all you have taught me, for having me apart of the media interview. I am always happy to help share the news of your workshops. Thanks
Rose, Empowered Youth Graduate
June 10, 2015
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“In a society that portrays impossible standards for physical beauty, it
was both refreshing and uplifting to participate in a workshop aimed at
celebrating female strength and confidence. Through role-playing,
thoughtful question prompts, and sharing their own stories, Empowered Youth provided us with the time, space, and tools to openly discuss
our insecurities and connect on a deeper level. We loved learning about
each other and ourselves, which enriched our relationship and opened
opportunities for future conversations. We highly recommend the
Mother-Daughter Workshop!”
Elizabeth and Ania
Mother and Daughter Workshop
March 2015
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“I would like to give a HUGE shout out to Marion Rebonne and Harriet Tinka with Empowered Youth for facilitating an amazing workshop for our youth! I have heard from many parents already that their kids had an awesome time and I firmly believe the material that was shared is crucial to living a healthy and confident life. This dynamic duo is more than prepared to empower the youth and I recommend their services to any youth groups looking to instill confidence and incite some personal growth! visit their website: www.empoweredyouth.ca
Thank you again Empowered Youth, we are definitely looking forward to our next workshop :D!!!”
Taylor Bull
Louis Bull Tribe (Maskwacis)
April 2015
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Testimonial from Empowered Youth Graduate – “Empowered Lyrics”
“Yo
I feel proud cause I’m me
yeah I’m feeling free
got nothing bad to say
feeling good in every way
and I owe it all to this
have confidence and bliss
now I changed
I rearranged
It made me stronger
Won’t doubt myself any longer
Holding my head high
Got me feeling Fly
Its cool
We all rule
I used to hate myself
Now I rerate myself
I have a smile
and it took a while
I’ll put this song in my pile
Im Living
Free from giving
It changed my mind
I was so blind
It changed my life
And made it right
It gave me skill
Gave me will
Gave me power
Standing tall like a tower
I’ll never be taken down
or have a frown
I made it from my town
Wearing the Crown”
Delaney, 2014 Graduate
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“After meeting Harriet at a Women’s Conference I knew her Empowered Youth workshops would be an amazing addition to our Kids with Cancer programs. Although out of their usual demographic, our new program for boys ages 10+ was a challenge they overcame and exceeded expectations. The Let Everything Out (LEO) program allows boys that have cancer, survived cancer or are siblings to someone who has/had cancer to come together in a safe space with other boys going through similar situations. Empowered Youth used PowerPoint and hands-on activities to present on overcoming obstacles and goal setting. Each presentation was received by engaged young men that shared stories about their challenges and future goals.
They also joined us for a spa day for our Look Good Feel Better program for girls and presented on communication. Mothers and daughters both learnt about different styles of communication and how to converse with themselves and others to convey confidence. Although not placed in an ideal location, Empowered Youth lead by example, exuding the confidence and assertiveness they taught.
The Kids with Cancer Society looks forward to our continued relationship with Empowered Youth in hopes of empowering the youth in the cancer community.”
Courtney Rosborough BA CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Kids with Cancer Society
November 18, 2014
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Harriet and Marion are a pleasure to work with because of their positive attitude and how personable and supportive they are. They are always telling me how much they believe in me, they show much patience when I am learning, and they have become like sisters to me already. The level of commitment and dedication Harriet and Marion provide to their students is above and beyond expectation. As well as teaching the in-course classes, they spend time mentoring every student outside of class. Not only is this done on a one-on-one basis, but it is done on their personal time. In my case, to train me for a beauty pageant, they coached me extensively each day for a month, and did so at no extra cost. This was out of the kindness of their hearts, on top of their full time jobs and family lives. They helped prepare me through a range of assistance including e-mails, phone calls, meetings, setting me up with dance instructors, lending me clothes, doing research, shopping trips, and much more. In addition, they offered me moral support and words of encouragement every step of the way, including driving across the province just to cheer me on at my competition. To this day, I am still receiving one-on-one mentoring from them outside of class. Their passion, enthusiasm, and love of helping others is both evident and outstanding. The wide variety of knowledge acquired through Harriet and Marion’s Empowered Youth Class can be used to prepare anyone for anything they may encounter, as it is both practical and relevant to daily living. From their own life experience, they teach us realistic skills such as time management, financial management, effective presentation and public speaking skills, communication skills, being positive, confident, assertive, and even walking and makeup lessons to name a few. Their teaching methods are both innovative and effective. They deliver useful content combined with hands-on practice to bring these skills into action. As a result, their class is successful at self empowerment, and increasing self confidence and self esteem. After each lesson, I experience noticeable increases in my own self confidence and self esteem. For example, my posture, walking, public speaking, inter-personal interactions, and confidence level all took on a noticeably positive change. I am very grateful for this as it is life changing in both my work life and personal life. With all of these qualities in mind, I feel confident recommending Harriet and Marion and their Empowered Youth Class as they have the abilities, insight, and drive that will enable their students to be successful at becoming empowered and exceeding their goals. Should you have any further inquiries, please feel free to contact me”
CM
BSc Kinesiology
E-mail: cmm1@ualberta.ca
July 23, 2014
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“My adult daughter has recently graduated from the Empowered Youth program. Over the course of the program I have observed an increase in her self confidence and self esteem, improvement in her social skills and an increased interest in fitness and fashion. The course has assisted her to develop assertiveness techniques which have proved beneficial to improving her communication style and developing an overall happiness and feeling of acceptance by peers and facilitators in the program. The interactive participation among peers and facilitators proves to assist participants to practice the skills they have learned in a safe environment. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in personal self development”
JW, MSW RSW
Clinical Social Worker
July 15, 2014
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“I am Maranda Martiniuk, I am 17 years old and I am presently attending the Jasper Place Composite High School. I have gone through the Empowered Youth Program, when it was first started and it has helped me throughout my High School years. Each week, there was a different topic addressing the basic issues that us teens face each day but sometimes are not mentioned because we do not want to admit that we are going through them.
We have done workshops and skits on building our self-esteem by learning and understanding that we have to love and respect ourselves and others. We’ve done different activities to learn that we can overcome our fears and that we are capable in taking on a challenges and completing it successfully. We’ve also learned from the Empowered Youth in how to recognize and handle bullying by understand the stem of bullying which is insecurity. We also had different guest speakers that shared with us about their experiences and how they overcome their challenges to get to where they are now.
By going through the Empowered Youth program, I was able to recognize and build my confidence, with the support and help of Harriet Tinka and Marion Rebonne to pursue my modeling career. I am grateful that I was able to attend the Empowered Youth Program, which equipped me to pursue and face challenges that I would have not thought I would have taken.
Sincerely,
Maranda Martiniuk
December 1, 2013
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“I want to thank you so much for helping our daughter overcome her negative body image. We tried to change her thoughts on her self esteem many times, but could never convince her to see her self- worth. After attending your workshops you truly inspired her. We have had tears of joy seeing the amazing transformation in our little girl. Thank you so much Harriet for making such an impact on her”
Zahra
Mother of 14 year old
July 2013
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“I learnt how to believe in me and that I am beautiful inside and out. Your sessions were amazing. I feel confident and really enjoyed the classes especially the modeling tips. You are a true inspiration and a mentor to us teen girls. Thank you Thank you. Wish all the girls could take your workshops”
Caitlin
16 years old
2013
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“You have helped me and changed my life forever. You helped me get rid of the mean things I thought of about myself”
Yasmeen
14 years old
2012
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“I like the workshops because you get to meet people you can relate to, have fun and really think positive about life. I feel empowered and want to thank Harriet for the AMAZING WORKSHOPS. I believe in Me because am beautiful inside and out”
Joanna Mbanga
11 years old
March 2012
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“I feel I can think positive about myself to help me through schoolwork. When you are positive about yourself it shows when you interact with friends and family. I believe in Me because I have the tools to make smart decisions”
Miranda L. Martinuik
17 years old
March 2012
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“Before I attended the workshops, I was pretty confident. Since attending the workshops I have better friendships and have achieved so much more. Workshops are awesome, inspiring and literally life changing. I Believe in Me because I can stand up for myself”
Kojo
12 years old
Jan 2012
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“I loved the modeling sessions. It helped me understand all about the modeling industry. Harriet is so smart, funny and always there for us. I especially loved taking pictures. I believe in Me because I feel more confident and happier”
Deborah Mbanga
12 years old
Jan 2012
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“The workshops were fun and I enjoyed listening to the speakers about self awareness, bullying and cyber bullying. I believe in Me because I am Erika”
Erika
12 years old
Jan 2012
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