The Winnipeg Police Service School Engagement Unit wants Winnipeg’s youth to know they matter. On Wednesday, February 27, 2019, the Winnipeg Police Service is hosting a Youth Matter Wellness Conference for 1100 junior high students throughout Winnipeg.
The day-long event features an array of presentations highlighted by keynote speakers Mr. Craig Heisinger, Ms. Sofia Constantini, and Mr. Jon Montgomery. The Conference aims to get young people thinking about their overall health and wellness.
Craig Heisingeris the Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and Senior Vice President of True North Sports and Entertainment. He is also the General Manager of the Manitoba Moose, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Jets. Craig will be speaking in honour of Rick Rypien, a former member of the Manitoba Moose and Winnipeg Jets who battled with depression.
One in five Canadians will develop a mental illness at some time in their lives and with the help of Heisinger’s presentations and the True North Youth Foundation’s Mental Wellness program, Project 11, the hope is to help end the stigma around Mental Illness, making sure no one ever has to suffer in silence.
Craig’s presentation will be available to everyone online on February 27, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., after opening remarks from Chief Danny Smyth and can be viewed on YouTube.
Sofia Constantini is a Dance Instructor, Teacher and Motivational Speaker from Tec Voc High School. Her presentation will focus on self-care with a focus on, “Change your perspective, change your life”.
Jon Montgomery is a small town boy, born in Russell, Manitoba, who grew up playing hockey and idolizing his home town hockey hero, Theo Fleury, the smallest guy to ever play in the NHL. Jon became interested in skeleton racing and worked hard, becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC. He is now the host of televisions Amazing Race Canada. His presentation will focus on his personal journey and the role failures and trying new things has in the pursuit of our successes and overall wellness.
The Winnipeg Police Service thanks our major sponsors, Bell Let’s Talk, Winnipeg Police Association, Subway, and the Royal Bank, along with all the school divisions in Winnipeg, for making the Youth Matter Conference possible.