The Calgary Nonprofit Innovation Awards celebrate the nonprofit sector’s creative spirit by showcasing local innovation in action. We are proud to announce that Calgary Sexual Health Centre’s WiseGuyz program was granted this award in 2014 and would like to express our thanks and gratitude for this honourary recognition.
The WiseGuyz program embraces a unique approach to fostering healthy, respectful, non-violent behaviors in boys. A safe space is created; where boys can openly discuss the pressures they experience to act and think in certain ways. As the program reshapes masculinity to include emotional literacy, empathy and a deep appreciation of healthy behaviors and relationships, boys’ ideas of masculinity begin to transform.
The impact extends far beyond the participant, as the ripples affect peers, schools and the community. The WiseGuyz program is not only shaping boys into healthier young men, both physically and emotionally, but it is also building for a future free of bullying, victimization, violence, unplanned pregnancies and disrespect.
WiseGuyz is more than a program.
It is a community of boys with a shared interest in understanding how social cues and male norms shape our culture and impact relationships.
WiseGuyz is transformative.
It is a groundbreaking approach aimed at reframing masculinity to include emotional literacy, empathy and a deep appreciation of healthy behaviors and relationships.
WiseGuyz is changing the world.
The impact of the program reaches far beyond the lives of the participants. WiseGuyz affects peers, schools and the community. It is reshaping social norms to create environments where people are respectful, empathetic and stand up for each other.