Raitt Applauds Investment for “Speak Tall and Stand Out”

May 14, 2009

Government Grants $44,735 to Support Project for Leaders of Tomorrow
 
OAKVILLE, ONTARIO. Today, the Member of Parliament for Halton Lisa Raitt welcomed funding being provided by the Government of Canada for local constituent James Valitchka's Stand Tall and Speak Out: Voice for Children and Youth Program.
 
“James Valitchka is an inspirational youth role model within our community,” said Halton MP Lisa Raitt. “We are proud to support the Stand Tall and Speak Out Conference which empowers and inspires young people to take charge of their lives and become responsible citizens who care about themselves and their communities.”
 
Founded in 2008, Stand Tall and Speak Out is a national charitable organization dedicated to encouraging children and youth to speak out with integrity, confidence and a spirit of public service whenever they see or experience discrimination or abuse.
 
James Valitchka's Stand Tall and Speak Out: Voice for Children and Youth is a three-day annual student conference which encourages children and youth to speak out with respect, integrity, confidence and a spirit of public service whenever they see or experience injustice, violence, discrimination and abuse.
 
“These seminars provide the skills and resources for youth to become engaged participants in our country's civic and political process by opening up the lines of communication with current political leaders,” continued Raitt.
 
The organization has been granted $44,735 (34% of the total project budget) to subsidize the travel of 200 low-income students and 20 monitors to participate in the forum.