Our Gallery

Contact Info

27 Division St, New York, NY 10002, USA

+1 (044) 123 456 789

info@example.com

YOUTH AWARENESS & EMPOWERMENT

Empowering Positive Differences

Rising Stars interactive and multimedia assemblies, activities & workshops maximize youth participation and learning. Through a variety of activities, youth will enjoy the experience as they participate in related challenges, and interact with their peers, teachers, support workers, and our staff, while solidifying their knowledge and understanding around the selected awareness or empowerment topic of interest.

AWARENESS EDUCATION LIFE SKILLS EMPOWERMENT

EMPOWERING Positive DIFFERENCES

In recognizing the importance of being proactive in addressing the issues that students, schools and communities are continually confronted with, our interactive & engaging awareness activities empower students with the life skills to address the most prominent, age-appropriate challenges they will face through their healthy growth and development.
AWARENESS EDUCATION LIFE SKILLS EMPOWERMENT

What

We Do

In recognizing the importance of being proactive in addressing the issues that students, schools and communities are continually confronted with, our interactive & engaging awareness activities empower students with the life skills to address the most prominent, age-appropriate challenges they will face through their healthy growth and development.

Rising Stars INTERACTIVE and multimedia ASSEMBLIES, ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS maximize youth participation and learning.
Through a variety of activities, youth will enjoy the experience as they participate in related challenges, and interact with their peers, teachers, support workers, and our staff, while solidifying their knowledge and understanding around the selected awareness or empowerment topic of interest.

BULLY
AWARENESS

Rise Above Bullying 
Build Bridges through mutual respects and welcoming differences

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

Rise Above the Stigma Become more comfortable in recognizing and dealing with the realities

DRUG & ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Rise Above the InfluenceAvoid pitfalls and unfortunate realities of drug & alcohol use and abuse

WELLNESS

Healthy Balances – Mind, Body, Spirit
Affect social and health related behaviours and decisions

LIKE A
GIRL

Be a stronger, more confident girl
Be resilient through the process of healthy development and success

BETTER
BOYS

Be a confident caring & inclusive boy 
Challenge gender roles and stereotypes, and make positive impacts

Awareness is the first step in preventing health and social related issues in a school and/or community

BULLY AWARENESS

Our activity-based approach moves the conversation beyond bullying to a more prosocial focus on the development of interpersonal skills, while building bridges through mutual respects, cultural connections, and welcoming differences. This active learning experience will promote caring and inclusive environments, while raising awareness around positive and supporting relationships through productive associations, mutual respects, and embracing diversity.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

Our unique approach engages students in evidence-based activities designed to respectfully raise awareness about Mental Health, while creatively reducing the stigma in the process. Students actively participate in a careful selection of activities, while enhancing knowledge and understanding around the topic, and developing life skills to assist them in appreciating and becoming more comfortable in recognizing and dealing with the realities.

DRUG & ALCOHOL AWARENESS

With the recent legalization of recreational cannabis, now, more than ever before, it is essential that we take every opportunity to protect children and youth by raising awareness about substance use, addictions and related behaviours, while promoting healthy decision making. Our innovative approach is carefully designed to raise awareness about the pitfalls and unfortunate realities of drug & alcohol use and abuse. Through a creative series of activities and challenges, students will be actively engaged, while enhancing knowledge and understanding on the topic, and developing life skills in the process of their healthy participation.

WELLNESS

Wellness is a commonly used term, but what does it really mean? Although it is generally understood that no single authority can accept sole responsibility for changing student’s social and health related behaviors, We know that knowledge is important for informing decisions and shaping values and attitudes. We strongly believe that the nature of this information, and the mode and timing of its presentation have a significant impact on how it is received. Our focus on the whole person engages participants in a series of interactive challenges that encourage a healthy balance through mind, body, and spirit.

LIKE A GIRL

In today’s world, adolescent girls are bombarded with a constant influx of images of external beauty, worth, and strength, which can cause them to question themselves and how they should look, feel, act, and think. By raising awareness and empowering girls through a unique series interactive and engaging workshops specially designed ‘by girls for girls’, we are committed to helping youth realize their gifts and potential, while equipping them with the life skills to be mindful and resilient through the process of their healthy development and life long successes.

BETTER BOYS

Better Boys workshops will empower the next generation of young men to challenge gender roles and stereotypes, take care of their health, and make positive impacts in their communities. By raising awareness and empowering boys through a unique series of interactive and engaging workshops, specially designed by ‘boys for boys’, we are committed helping youth realize their strengths and potential, while equipping them with the life skills to be mindful and resilient through the process of their healthy development and life long successes. 

YOUTH AWARENESS & EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Rising Stars

MORRIS PARRAS

RS Technical Director

Brock University, NCCP Level III

SPECIALTIES

*Soccer Development
*Sport Promotion

VAL SEARGEANT

RS Technical Director

Humber College, Dip.
NCCP – Physical Literacy, Master Trainer
Athletics Ontario – RJTW, Master Trainer

SPECIALTIES

*Track & Field  
*Athletic Development

As a Technical Director at Rising Stars, Val coordinates both recreation and competitive track and field programs in support of youth, students-athletes and athletes of all abilities.

As a former elite athlete, Val competed and set records in both track and field events.  He is a two-time member of the Canadian National Track and Field Team, and a former Barbados 110mH National Champion.  Val is a Run Jump Throw Wheel Facilitator for Athletics Ontario, the recognized provincial sport organization for Track & Field, Cross Country, and Road Racing in Ontario.  Val is the founder and head coach of Stoney Creek Athletics and the Track & Field Coordinator for the International CANUSA Games.  He also currently serves as the Head Para Athletics Coach for the Hamilton Olympic Club.

MELISSA FAMME

RS Regional Director – Athletics & Education

Waterloo University, BA
Lakehead University B.Ed, M. Ed

NCAA: Referee/Official
High Five: Principles of Healthy Child Development
Sport for Life: Physical Literacy for Early Childhood

SPECIALTIES

Sport Development 
Youth Development

LYNN CAMPANELLA

RS Technical Director – Play & Recess

NCCP: Coaches Physical Literacy Training

SPECIALTIES

Play & Recreation
Recess Programming

High Five: Principles of Healthy Child Development
Sport for Life: Physical Literacy Instructor Program
Sport for Life: Physical Literacy for Early Childhood
Member of the US Play Coalition (Since 2011)
Founder of the Canadian Play Network
Creator of the PlanetPlay Stencil line

MATT KING

Regional Director

Lakehead University, B.A.
University of Newcastle – Australia, B.Ed
Specialist PE & Health

SPECIALTIES

*Indigenous Education
*Youth & Sport Development

As a Regional Director with Rising Stars, Matt coordinates and facilitates various programs across both our athletics and education divisions. He currently serves as the Director of Rising Stars Basketball Academy Six Nations.

Matt King grew up as an all star athlete. He played NAIG for Team Ontario, and represented Ontario at National Aboriginal basketball camp, where he was selected MVP. Matt competed as a varsity athlete for the Mens Basketball Team at Laurier and Lakehead Universities, and went on to coach U Sport at both Lakehead and Guelph. Matt continued his education and began a professional career as a certified teacher. After ten years of dedicated service as a teacher, coach and Athletic Director (Chair) with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Matt embarked on a new professional adventure, while continuing to compete in triathlons and Iron-Man races. As a Regional Director with Rising Stars, Matt coordinates and facilitates various programs across both our athletics and education divisions. Matt specializes in facilitating programs and instruction for youth, students, and athletes, both on and off reserve. He currently serves as the Director of Rising Stars Basketball Academy – Six Nations.

DEE CHANNER

RS Associate Director

Laurier University, B.A.
Queensland University of Technology – Australia, B.Ed,

SPECIALTIES

*Basketball Development
*Indigenous Education

As an Associate Director at Rising Stars, Dee coordinates programs both in the athletics and education divisions in support of youth, students, and athletes, both on and off reserves.

Delicia Channer competed as a varsity athlete for Laurier University Women’s Basketball Team, where she was the team captain and a division all star. Dee continued her education and began a professional career as a certified teacher. Dee now serves as an Associate Director with Rising Stars. She is a LEAD Facilitator for Indigenous projects, programs, and services. In this role, Dee facilities creative programs and workshops that promote Indigenous awareness and empowerment. As Rising Stars most Senior Programs Instructor & Facilitator, Dee coordinates programs in both the athletics and education divisions. Dee specializes in facilitating programs and instruction for youth, students, and athletes, both on and off reserve. She currently serves as the Head Coach for the Conestoga College Women’s Basketball team.

ERIN FORMAN

Senior Vice President, Director of Programs

Spring Arbor University, BSc Concurrent Education
Specialist Sport Science

SPECIALTIES

* Female Empowerment
* Sport Development

As the Senior Vice President at Rising Stars Athletics & Education, Erin serves as the General Manager of the Education Division. Erin facilitates Advanced Programs and Instruction for administrators, coaches, and teachers. Erin develops and designs programs and curriculum for student engagement and athlete development.

Erin Forman is former member of both Softball Canada’s National team program and Baseball Canada’s National Team. She played in the 2004 Women’s World Series in Japan, and the 2006 World Cup in Taipei. Erin was named All American, All Conference, and Player of the Year, while playing on a U.S. Softball Scholarship. She was recently  inducted into the hall of fame for her achievements in sport. Though Erin’s sport specific bio clearly demonstrates an extensive combination of all around athleticism and personal achievement in softball that very few athletes can claim, equally impressive is her continued commitment to helping others achieve their goals through sport and education in her professional endeavours. Erin serves as role model in her trade and community. She demonstrates an unwavering commitment to making positive differences in the lives of others.

Erin continues to use sport as a vehicle to empower others in the work she does in coaching, and also in her professional endeavours. As a founding partner and Director of Softball Development at Rising Stars, Erin has become one of the most highly sought teachers and coaches of the game. Erin is on the cutting edge of instructional techniques, tools, and theories for optimal development. She has worked with countless local and regional athletes, supporting aspiring student-athletes as they continue in their positive development and successfully pursue opportunities to play college or university ball in Canada, and/or secure U.S. softball scholarships, with many advancing to become provincial and national calibre softball players.

DR. ANDREW PETERS

Founding Partner, President & Chair

McMaster University, B.A., M.A
University of Western Ontario – Ph.D

SPECIALTIES

*Leadership & Empowerment
*Youth & Community Development

As the original Founding Partner of what would eventually become the Rising Stars Group of companies, Dr Peters has been instrumental in the continued expansion and reach of positive sport, youth, and community development programs and special projects.

From early beginnings as a competitive student athlete in the Hamilton region, and many local achievements and recognitions at the secondary level, Dr Peters went on to compete as a varsity athlete for McMaster University, winning numerous regional, provincial and national medals as a member of the Men’s Basketball Team. Dr Peters earned both a B.A., and M.A. at McMaster University, and went on to acquire a teaching certificate from D’Youville College, and a Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario. These formative years laid the foundation for what would eventually become Rising Stars Athletics and Education.

He continues to serve as the conglomerate’s most senior executive, with 25 years of success in youth and community development through athletics and education. He continues to leverage his passion and extensive experience to engage youth and community in a positive and healthy development.

Dr. Peters devotes his time and energy to creating and partnering with stakeholders in the facilitation of innovative student and athlete development programs. Through strategic partnerships with national, professional, and elite athletes, coaches, sport science professionals, and educators, Dr Peters continues to collaborate with local organizations and expand through offering a variety of programs designed specifically for the benefit of athletes, students, schools, and communities.