THUNDER BAY – Eleven-year-old Taylor Gorrie’s childhood dream is becoming a reality.
During her schooling, Gorrie found that she had fallen victim to bullying many times, and she was never taught how to cope.
The school lacked the resources to help students who were being mistreated, which left Gorrie feeling fear, depression, confusion and panic.
Determined to improve the ways schools handle student well-being, Gorrie created an initiative called Safe Zone, a community group based within elementary schools that works hand in hand with the Confederation College child and youth program to educate both the victims and the bullies.
Child and youth workers will be stationed at elementary schools to provide support, counselling and teach children how to cope to avoid situations similar to Gorrie’s.
“I was being bullied a lot at school,” said Gorrie explaining she was both physically and verbally abused by two of her peers.
“I want to help everyone else who has been bullied, and try to help the bullies too.”
The youngster believes helping the bully will play a huge role in making changes to student well-being.
“You don’t know what’s going on in their home life,” Gorrie said.
“They could be having a really bad day or they could just be having problems at home you never really know.”
Gorrie wants students to know they are not alone when it comes to being bullied and she is here to help.
Her role doesn’t end with the Safe Zone, Gorrie is also on a mission to find the best kid friendly establishments in Thunder Bay.
She goes to different businesses and organizations within the city to discover whether or not they are “kid friendly.”
“They always are,” Gorrie said. “I give them a kid friendly certificate, they place the certificate in a frame and they hang it up on their wall.”
The certificate signifies the business or organization is a great place for kids.
“I not only want to help people but I also want to show people all the amazing things that Thunder Bay has to offer.”
Gorrie’s mother Meg said having such a young role model is important for younger children.
“I don’t think kids know how empowered they can be a lot of times,” Meg said.
“A lot of times they think they are little and they can’t do these things or nobody is going to support them but really they can make so many changes and so many things possible as long as they put their mind to it.”
Meg believes her daughter’s positive influence on other students will inspire them to jump on board and be part of the community.
“I don’t think I can express in words how proud I am of my daughter,” Meg said.
“I always have to remind her that she’s only 11 and she needs to slow down and be a kid.”
In January, Taylor will be launching her Safe Zone initiative in Kingsway Park Public School.
Each class will create a Safe Zone poster, which will be hung up in a designated part of the school to help children identify where the Safe Zone will be located.
