The Peer Power Partner (PPP) mentoring program will kick-off in mid-October, which is also National Bullying Prevention month. This year, students and our community will have the opportunity to hear top youth motivational speaker David Flood.

David’s humorous and genuine speaking style empowers students with social and emotional skills while teaching them the crucial life skills of dignity and respect. Flood grew up affected by addiction in his family. He is married and has two children; his oldest has autism. He is active in church is a hospice volunteer, and is on the board of KIDS Plus, a non-profit organization which helps kids with special needs through sports and activities.

While in Austin, Flood will give presentations and lead interactive sessions with students, staff, parents and the community.  A free community event will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct.15, at the Hormel Historic Home. Flood invites parents and community members to discuss “How to Model Behavior with Young People to Keep Them Connected, Safe, Engaged and Included.” RSVPs to autism@hormelhistorichome.org are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome.

The event is sponsored by PPP, Community Against Bullying (CAB) and the Hormel Historic Home.

From Oct. 15-16, Flood will travel between Austin High School, Ellis Middle School, I.J. Holton Intermediate School and Pacelli Catholic Schools inspiring students to look at people and things in a different way. He speaks with passion and conviction, and through his humility leaves his audience with much to act on in their formative years as they move into their future.

PPP is a collaboration between Austin Schools, Vision 2020 and the Parenting Resource Center created as a mentoring program that pairs youth with special needs with same-aged peers to promote friendships, understanding, academic collaboration and social interaction during the school day and beyond.  This supports bullying prevention and social inclusion by engaging, educating, and empowering students to become advocates for themselves and others.

CAB is a committee of parents, educators and community members working with Austin Public Schools to change the climate in our schools and in our community. They are here to empower individuals to not be a part of bullying and to help individuals to self-advocate and be stronger against bullying actions in Austin.