By BONNIE HESTER
Intern to The Citizen
Family Patterns Matter, a youth-driven nonprofit organization in Coweta and Fayette counties that works to alleviate issues that surround young people at the middle and high school levels, is stepping up plans for their anti-bullying campaign “Bye-bye Bullying” and its partner program “Uniquely You.”
The organization consists of an adult board of directors who emphasize the importance of listening to the voices of our youth by heeding the recommendations of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), a group about 25 youths aged middle school and older. It was these youths who, in the program’s inception almost exactly one year ago on July 27, 2013, made it clear to the adult board that bullying is one of the most serious issues that middle and high school students face, and one that is often hidden away or overlooked.
To address this issue, the YAB came up with the “Bye-bye Bullying” and “Uniquely You” campaigns, which aim to give both children and adults the means and confidence to take a stand against bullying. Family Patterns Matter CEO and President Linda Kirkpatrick stated that the YAB has designed the “Uniquely You” program in order to remind youths that they are unique and important, no matter what background they come from.
One of the initiatives that falls under the umbrella of the anti-bullying campaign is an ongoing fundraiser called Operation Girl, which aims to raise money in order to focus on reaching out to young girls who may be facing bullying of some kind. The money will go towards bringing in expert speakers to schools in Coweta and Fayette counties, disseminating information through pamphlets and PSAs to youth groups and clubs, creating videos, and more. These materials will not be specific only to the Operation Girl program but will be part of the larger anti-bullying campaign. In the long run, Kirkpatrick said, “We’re hoping to create a campaign that can go not only statewide but nationwide.” The fundraiser’s goal is $1,250 and it continues until August 18.
Despite its short existence, FPM has already accomplished a tremendous amount and is expanding rapidly. One of its major concerns is the rising teen suicide rate, which Kirkpatrick commented is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-24 and fourth for those aged 10-14. The organization believes that teen suicide, as well as many other issues such as self-harm, drug use, and gang activity, is catalyzed in part by forms of bullying that make children feel rejected and as if they have no control over what happens to them. This is also often tied to experiences at home of domestic violence, abuse and neglect. To end this cycle, therefore, FPM believes they must break the pattern of bullying and help youths see their own value and self-worth.
FPM is also working with a Fayette County organization called AV Pride on the issue of teen alcoholism and with the Coweta Domestic Violence Task Force on to address teen dating violence. In addition, they have partnered with Grandparents Raising Grandchildren because they recognize that children in that situation are at at higher risk of feelings of isolation and rejection.
Kirkpatrick also described FPM’s tutoring and mentoring program, which works primarily with schools’ homeless populations and youths in the juvenile justice system. They have seen great success with this program, she said, mentioning that many of their students have raised their GPAs and shown increased interest in participation in school. FPM works with an organization called Lion-hearted Academy to offer tutors and mentors who are highly qualified, have passed criminal background checks, and have been individually matched to each pupil. Kirkpatrick pointed out that unlike some tutoring programs, FPM continues to work with students after high school through higher education or employment. “We don’t just say, ‘We’re done with you now, good luck,’ because we’re wanting to break that cycle,” she commented.
Kirkpatrick explained that she started FPM after retiring from 10 and a half years as executive director of Community Welcome House, a Newnan-based safe house for victims of domestic violence.
She described her decision as one that came after examining all the nonprofit organizations that already worked in the area. “I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel; I didn’t want to do something that somebody else already was doing,” she said. “What I found out was…there’s always a group that’s left out.” For this reason, she chose to target middle and high school students, as she claims this group is most often overlooked.
To start, the Youth Advisory Board consisted of a small group of children that Kirkpatrick already knew, but it very quickly expanded as they told their friends at school or parents heard about the group and felt it would be a good fit for their child. At meetings, children are encouraged to share openly and honestly, with no threat of rejection or criticism. The group also participates in services projects arranged by the adult board, like work for organizations such as Clothes Less Traveled, as well as projects that they themselves come up with, like the afterschool literacy club suggested by one member who has a particular love for reading. The club, started at a Title 1 school in Coweta County, has seen such success in the last year school year that FPM has been asked to expand it to another Title 1 school in the area this coming year.
Kirkpatrick describes the overwhelming success that the organization has experienced in one short year as “truly a God thing,” adding that “it’s fun, and it’s hard work because you’ve got to get the awareness out there, but there’s nothing more important than our youth. They’re the next leaders in this world, and we can’t change all of them and we can’t make it okay for all of them, but we can certainly start the change and hope it has that domino effect, and that’s what our purpose is.”
To learn more about Family Patterns Matter or to donate, visit online at www.familypatternsmatter.org.
