TORONTO, ON (May 3, 2010) - One of Canada’s leading youth and family experts, Dr. Karyn Gordon, is participating in a speaking tour at the end of May, sponsored by Maple Leaf Foods. Beginning on May 25, Dr. Gordon will be visiting schools in the GTA, hosting an interactive workshop for students in grades 7 to 12 that will focus on empathy and how to build healthy friendships.

In addition to the student workshop, Dr. Gordon will host a 75-minute workshop for parents and community residents about 10 simple things they can do to foster empathy and gratitude with their children. Dr. Gordon will also address some of the common mistakes parents make that hinder the development of these important values.

New to this year’s tour and as an expression of the qualities Dr Gordon is encouraging, Dr. Gordon and Maple Leaf Foods are partnering with World Vision Canada on a project entitled High Schools for Haiti (HSH). This initiative encourages youth, participating in the speaking events, to raise funds to help provide formal and non-formal education to children in Haiti. With 30 years of experience working in Haiti, World Vision has been selected as the charity partner to oversee the school building project.

TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 25:
Stephen Lewis Secondary School – 555 Autumn Hill Blvd. Thornhill, ON
Student event – 12:10 p.m.
Parent event – 7 p.m.

Wednesday, May 26:
Allan A. Greenleaf School – 211 Parkside Dr. Waterdown, ON
Student event – 2:15 p.m.
Parent event –7 p.m.

Thursday, May 27:
John Knox Christian School –795 Hwy #8. Stoney Creek, ON
Student event – 1:45 p.m.
Parent event – 7 p.m.

Tuesday, June 1:
Leaside High School – 200 Hanna Rd. Toronto, ON
Parent event – 7 p.m.
 

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Dr. Karyn is one of North America's leading authorities on understanding youth and Generation Y (ages 10-29). She is a corporate/family consultant, motivational speaker, media personality (expert on the national TV show, The Mom Show) and author of several books including her latest, "Dr. Karyn's Guide to the Teen Years" (published by Harper Collins). She is frequently interviewed by the news media to provide insight into the pressures facing Canadian youth. She has spoken to more than 250,000 people including teens, parents, teachers, managers and presidents on a variety of issues including self-esteem, motivation, leadership and communication. For more information, please visit www.drkaryn.com.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading food processing company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The Company employs approximately 23,500 people at its operations across Canada and in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia. The Company had sales of $5.2 billion in 2009. For more information, please visit www.mapleleaf.com.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. To learn more about World Vision, please visit www.worldvision.ca.

For more information on the speaking tour or to set up an interview with Dr. Karyn Gordon, please contact:

Karen Flores
(905) 565-6200 ext. 3497 (office),
(416) 277-5563 (mobile)
Karen_Flores@worldvision.ca