Every day, countless children and teens face the sting of bullying. It can leave lasting scars, impacting their self-esteem, confidence, and sense of safety. We can’t let this continue. The public is welcome to join the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) Thursday, Jan. 25 when we take a stand against bullying! The Santori Library will be host to a free bullying-prevention program, empowering individuals of all ages to combat this harmful behavior.
This program will benefit parents, students, educators and any community members who are interested in promoting a positive and respectful atmosphere and want to make a difference. “The growing concern for the well-being of our community members and the desire to create a proactive approach to bullying incidents prompted the development of this program,” said program presenter Melinda Erazo. Erazo is the parent liaison at East Aurora School District 131 and a social work student at Aurora University serving her internship at APLD.
“We aim to empower individuals with the tools for conflict-resolution, empathy-building, and creating a culture of inclusivity,” Erazo added. Bullying Stops Here will foster a sense of collective responsibility and highlight the positive impact of united efforts against bullying in all forms.
Bullying can take many forms, both overt and covert. The most common types include physical, verbal, social, emotional, and cyberbullying. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can reach a vast audience instantly and persistently. Photos and text can be shared and re-shared across social media platforms, creating a wider impact and leaving a lasting digital footprint. Cyberbullying more difficult for parents and teachers to recognize and intervene, which is why such prevention programs are so important.
“Schools, and libraries too, should be safe and supportive learning environments, both offline and online. We want to help our community understand how big of a problem bullying is and how to avoid it,” said Elementary School Services coordinator Mariana Guerrero. By learning how to recognize and prevent bullying behaviors through this Library presentation, program participants will be equipped to raise awareness in Aurora and maintain a safe environment.
It’s important to remember that bullying can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. This program is an opportunity to share experiences, discover tools and techniques for addressing bullying, and create a positive ripple effect throughout Aurora. To register for Bullying Stops Here: Preventing Bully Behavior Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Santori Library, please visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/9348708 or contact the Library at 630-264-4117. Together, we can create a world where bullying is not tolerated, and where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to reach a full potential.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.