📅 Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
🕘 Time: 10 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Rowville Community Centre
Cost: FREE (Knox Council Grant Funded) Ages: Grade 6/Year 7 school students

What is Finding Your Tribe?

A one-day intensive bootcamp designed specifically for Knox students who want to:
- Make genuine friendships that last
- Feel more confident in social situations
- Navigate high school social dynamics
- Reduce social anxiety and loneliness
- Learn evidence-based conversation skills

Based on UCLA's PEERS® Program - the only evidence-based social skills curriculum proven effective for neurodivergent teens, used in over 70 countries worldwide.

What Your Teen Will Learn

Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM):
✅ Social Skills Foundations - Two-way conversation techniques - Finding common interests with peers - Electronic communication etiquette
✅ Interactive Practice - Role-playing real high school scenarios - Building confidence through guided practice - Peer connection activities

Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM):
✅ High School Navigation - Understanding social hierarchies and groups - Handling peer pressure and conflicts - Managing social anxiety in new environments

Why PEERS® Works

Developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson
- 20+ years of research and clinical trials
- Proven effective for autism, ADHD, social anxiety, and depression
- Used in over 70 countries, translated into dozens of languages
- The ONLY evidence-based social skills program worldwide

Research-Proven Results:
- 80% improvement in social skills knowledge
- Significant reduction in loneliness
- Increased friendship quality and quantity
- Better conflict resolution abilities

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Is This Right for Your Teen?

Perfect for students who:

- Struggle to make or keep friends

- Feel anxious in social situations

- Are starting high school or changing schools

- Want to improve their conversation skills

What's Included:

- Full-day intensive program

- Take-home workbook and resources

- Morning tea and lunch provided

- Certificate of completion

- Follow-up support resources

- Parent workshop and strategies

Meet Your Facilitator

Julie Athanasiou
PEERS® Certified Facilitator
Director of Strivesocial and Youth Connect Foundation
PEERS® certified through UCLA
Experienced in group and individual social skills coaching, "I'm passionate about helping young people not feel lonely. Every teen deserves to have genuine friendships and feel confident in social situations."