The You Matter Too Movement

Hi Everyone!

My name is Destiny Riparip and I created You Matter Too as a Big Sister-Safe Place outlet for all kids. I created this program after finding out the multitude of issues going on in high schools across the Monterey/South Bay Area. For example: Bullying and the effects and aftermath, self harm, violence at school and more. More specifically, at Aptos High School at the end of August there was a stabbing that led to the death of a 17 year old child. This tragedy reminded me of my own experiences. When I was going to high school, I heard about a fellow student who was in an abusive relationship and was struggling to pull herself out of the situation and find her voice. Perhaps if she had access to help and a bigger support system, she would not have taken her own life. I remember how hard it was to attend school every day knowing I would face bullying. I didn't want to get bullied, and seeing the new generation of students, children, friends and family having to go through those same hardships is absolutely heartbreaking for me as I'm sure it is for many of us.

I mattered then. They Matter Now. We will always matter.

You Matter Too will start as a 2 part assembly and an after school program, that will act as a safe space where kids will be able to speak about what's going on, verbally, or on paper. They will have journal entries and peer group discussions to help talk through any and everything going on. The group sessions will also serve as an education tool to help students make better choices as they navigate in an increasingly difficult world. The goal is to help students realize that 'They Matter Too' and that they can be apart of the change they want to see in the world.

I personally have experienced may of the difficult topics that will be talked about, so being able to speak at the different schools and help bring light to these difficult situations really hits home for me.

Change starts with taking a step forward. This is our community, and these students are the future of this country. I'd like to be apart of this change, and I'm asking you to help be apart of this change with me.

All funds raised will be going to t-shirts, long sleeves, and hoodies to give out at a number of different schools for those who participate, and the remainder of the money raised will be going to be spread out between the different schools to mitigate the lunch and overdue/lost book debt they may have sitting on their accounts.