When is this day? March 24
What is this day?
The need for self-worth is universal. By making Each Person is A Person of Worth a National Day, the message of hope, empowerment, self-esteem and worthiness can be heard by many.
Self-worth for young people is vital to their development and growth, yet is not something that can be taught in a class. Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski, the founder of the Academy for Adolescent Health, Inc. has developed seven youth-focused programs, including Peer Education, to enhance self-worth. These programs empower youth to find their own worthiness, to improve their self-esteem and self-concept, and to respect/love themselves and their bodies. Dr. Mary Jo and her staff have taught over a quarter million young people since 1988.
Dr. Mary Jo is passionate about spreading this message of worthiness. She believes each person is worthy by virtue of their birth; worthiness does not need to be earned, but is a basic human right. She has conducted over 750 trainings locally, nationally and internationally to promote this message. More information can be found on her website.
Dr. Mary Jo is also the author of 36 books on youth development, all available on Amazon. Her Nonnie Series of ten books for parents/trusted adults and children in grades 3-8 on challenging topics, includes Nonnie Talks about…. Consent, Death, Disability, Gender, Pregnancy and Birth, Puberty, Race, Sex…& More, Trauma, and Quarantine. Nonnie Talks about Relationships is coming soon. Her latest book, from One Idea Press, is Sex Ed is in Session: An Adult Guide to Connecting with Young People about Life’s Tough Topics.
Each Person is a Person of Worth is modeled by the teen Peer Educators in Dr. Mary Jo’s programs. They focus their teaching on respect. For example, a four session series, Respect Online, is taught face to face and online. The series promotes respectful behavior on social media, cell phones, tablets and computers.
During the pandemic, the Academy hosted 8 free Virtual Summer Camps for young people ages 12 – 14. The camps covered Art, Book/Writing, Computer, Culinary, Games, Photography, Theater, and Wellness.
To connect with Dr. Mary Jo, please use her email at podmj@healthyteens.com
Who created this day? This day was founded by the Academy for Adolescent Health in 2020.
How should this day be celebrated or observed?
Each Person is A Person of Worth National Day should include celebrations of each person’s unique contribution to life. Life is short and often confusing. On this National Day, parents and trusted adults would be encouraged to offer affirmations of worth to their children. Children would follow their parents/guardians role modeling and offer affirmations to others.
An example of a way to celebrate each person’s worthiness is to conduct an Ambassador for Respect program on this National Day. Ambassador for Respect models respect for all. Essay contests, art contests, parent/youth workshops, and video contests are ways respect and worthiness can be recognized in the community.
Parents and trusted adults can develop communication skills to empower one another and enhance each person’s self-worth.
Please download this Affirmation Game to enhance self-worth. The activity was developed with the help of teen Peer Educators. The directions are simple: 1. Print or open the cards, 2. Shuffle them, and 3. Select a card. Each person reads the affirmation on the cards. Discuss.
