Anti-bullying non-profit

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Anti-bullying non-profit

by Polina Milter

Aug 9, 2012

My name is Polina Milter and I am the founder of The Push Back Project. Before I go any further, I would like to tell you a little about myself so you can learn how The Push Back Project began.

All throughout my school days from elementary school I was bullied. My peers made fun of my nose, my religion, and even about how depressed I was. While in high school at Dunwoody, my peers completely isolated me. I spent four years by myself. I ate lunch in either teachers classrooms, or didn't eat at all and sat in the library. After graduation, I started school at Georgia Perimeter College. It wasn't long until the depression from being isolated for so long brought me to my suicide attempt. I felt that I had no choice, there was no way out. I kept telling myself, "It won't get better."

After I got help, I learned why I was alive! I was alive to help others through what I went through, and to tell them that IT DOES GET BETTER! That is when I started my non-profit organization...See MoreMy name is Polina Milter and I am the founder of The Push Back Project. Before I go any further, I would like to tell you a little about myself so you can learn how The Push Back Project began.

All throughout my school days from elementary school I was bullied. My peers made fun of my nose, my religion, and even about how depressed I was. While in high school at Dunwoody, my peers completely isolated me. I spent four years by myself. I ate lunch in either teachers classrooms, or didn't eat at all and sat in the library. After graduation, I started school at Georgia Perimeter College. It wasn't long until the depression from being isolated for so long brought me to my suicide attempt. I felt that I had no choice, there was no way out. I kept telling myself, "It won't get better."

After I got help, I learned why I was alive! I was alive to help others through what I went through, and to tell them that IT DOES GET BETTER! That is when I started my non-profit organization called The Push Back Project. The PBP educates people about the effects of bullying and builds support groups. We have monthly meetings where we do activities and play games that teach the after effects of bullying. For example, one of the activities we did involved people saying things that they have heard that was hurtful. Once a hurtful word was spoken, they would take a toothpick and poke a banana. After everyone spoke, I asked everyone to peel their banana. This is when they saw that the banana looked fine on the outside, but on the inside the banana was bruised.

This activity teaches people that even though a person may look fine on the outside, how do they feel on the inside? After speaking to many of the people that attended our meeting and played this activity, they all told me that what they saw really stuck, and they see words in a different way. At the end of the meetings, I ask everyone to raise their hand if they "Vow to Push Back". This means that they will live life in a different way. The people that take the vow will be careful with their words, and they keep an eye out for people bullying others and report it if seen.

So you may be asking yourself, "How can I help?" Well, the answer is simple. Join the fight against bullying and Vow to Push Back! Also, if there any way that The PBP can be introduced into the school, we would love the chance to meet with the principal. We also have brochures that we can have available to have around the school. Also, the school year is starting, and the students will be interacting. If you see someone being bullied, and you feel this person may need an outlet, please, tell them about our monthly meetings! Then, most importantly, don't let a student get isolated like I did. If a student is isolated, get the principal and parents involved, the student may be really hurting.

If you would like to speak to me about more details or if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Polina Milter Founder of The Push Back Project 404.797.3290 [link removed]

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