Will feature fun for all, while supporting those coping with anxiety due to bullying
WHITEWATER REGION (Westmeath) — A local couple has chosen to honour their daughter by creating an organization that provides youth with coping strategies to deal with anxiety caused by bullying and other challenges faced by children and teens today.
The launch of this organization, lovingly called Hannah’s Heart, in memory of 14-year-old Hannah Mae Harlow Maillet who died in July 2018 following a severe anxiety attack brought on by bullying, will take place at the home of her mom and stepdad, Tasha and Shane Cowell on Saturday, September 14th.
Billed as the Hannah’s Heart Youth Festival, this free event which runs from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. will take place a short drive from the Pembroke area at 379 Greenway Drive in Westmeath.
It will feature a variety of fun, food and entertainment for children, youth, young adults and their families. Donations will be accepted at the gate.
Some of the event highlights include horse demonstrations, roping clinic for younger children, RayJ’s bounce houses, face painting, the magic of “Spell Master” Greg Lubimiv, and performances by 14-year-old singer/songwriter Sierra Levesque of Pembroke, and Ontario Country Music Female Artist of the Year nominee Brea Lawrenson from Carleton Place.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers Jennifer Jane Clark who specializes in helping children and teens with self-esteem, empowerment and resiliency skills and Nicholas Maillet, Hannah’s brother who has become a youth advocate for anti-bullying.
This will be before watching a special fire ceremony, which will close out the festival.
“We really hope that those attending this event, will not only enjoy a great afternoon out, but will also take away with them information on how to help those who need support, and a place to start conversations about self-esteem, anxiety and the effects that bullying can have on people,” said Mrs. Cowell, founder and president of Hannah’s Heart.
She explained that, before Hannah died, she had been dealing with severe bullying for some time. Through counselling sessions however she was able to learn coping mechanisms and get to a point where she was able to help others going through the same thing. When the family moved to Renfrew County, Hannah was able to find a close group of friends that she called “her tribe” and things began to improve, which gave birth to a new movement called
#HannahsHeartTribe.
“One of the things Hannah was known to do was place Kids Help Phone cards in various public locations and she would leave positive messages on bathroom mirrors,” Mrs. Cowell said.
Wishing to continue Hannah’s good work, Mr. Cowell, who is co-founder and logistics co-ordinator for Hannah’s Heart said, “We want young people to know that bullying doesn’t have to be their reality. Nobody should be treating people like that and there is help and support available.”
In collaboration with the Phoenix Centre for Children and Families, the Hannah’s Heart organization will focus on offering programs and workshops in schools and other youth-based settings which will help provide the tools needed to cope with anxiety and bullying while promoting confidence, positive self-esteem and ways to deal with negative emotions.
“Children and youth in our communities need to know that there are many ways to combat bullying and to cope with the way bullies make them feel,” said Mrs. Cowell.
“Hannah’s Heart will be a community resource that offers coaching and guidance before a situation reaches crisis level.”
Mrs. Cowell added it is important for youth to know there is help in the community, and that it’s ok to talk about what they are going through.
Recognizing that there are those in our region who have chosen suicide or self-harm as a way of dealing with the pain caused by bullying, Mrs. Cowell said things need to change.
“Hannah chose to use her experience and the skills she learned to help others, and I’m hopeful that Hannah’s Heart will be able to do the same for children and youth in need of the same support and love,” Mrs. Cowell said.
For more information about the Hannah’s Heart Youth Festival, including the full schedule and lineup of events, visit www.hannahsheart.ca.
