Young Island artist auctions work to benefit family violence prevention

10-year-old Roisin Mullenis partnering with Charlottetown restaurant The Thoughtful Squash to auction off a painting to raise funds for programs that support family violence prevention.

Roisin and her mother, Heather Mullen, wereshowing some of Roisin's artwork to Cathy McInnes, the restaurant's owner anda family friend, whenMcInneshad theideato sell one of her paintings to raise funds.

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A quick learner

Though Roisin didn't know what family violence was at first, she became interested in helping after a conversation with her mother.

"We talked about the helpers and who's out there and what happens when you're in those situations,"said Heather.

The two also visited the office of the Council on the Status of Women so Roisin could learn more about the impact of domestic abuse.

"When children are raised in that type of way they don't always know that it's not okay to do that," Roisinsaid.

"When they grow up they might do it to their kids."

Community Minded

Roisinis no stranger to helping others. She started thePost-ItPositive initiative, helping to spreadmessages of positivity online and teaching kids about being safe on theinternet.

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She was also a featured speaker at the GlobalStopCyberbullyingYouth Summit in Irelandin 2015.

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She has continued her work in the community, most recently partnering with a friend to make and sell crafts, using the proceeds to buy food for a local soup kitchen.

"It started as helping kids learn about cyberbullying and educating children to learn about how to be safe online," Heather said. "But now it's growing into other ways to share that you care and help in your community, in the way that a ten-year-old can."

Helping in the future

Roisin says she wants to be a counsellor when she gets older to keep helping people who need it.

In addition to the proceeds from the auction, which will go to programs supporting family violence prevention, Roisin wants to donate toys to Anderson House, an emergency shelter for women and children facing domestic abuse.

The date of the auction will be set when Roisin finishes the painting, which is nearly complete.

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