Charles Kissi’s message at a Brock Badgers awareness event later this week will be simple: “You are not alone.”

Kissi, head coach of the Brock men’s basketball team, is one of three speakers scheduled for Badgers vs. Bullying, an outreach event that will bring around 800 elementary school students from 13 schools across Niagara to Brock Thursday, Oct. 12.

This marks the third consecutive year for an outreach event organized by the Badgers men’s basketball team, designed to help educate Niagara youths in Grades 6 to 8 about various social issues.

“I want them to know that they’re never alone,” Kissi said. “They might be thinking they’re going through this on their own, but there’s always someone else who is also experiencing it, or who is there to help you.”

The coach said the outreach events also teach his players about being role models.

“As a team, we’re capable of having a voice that can send messages to help impact our community and our youth,” said Kissi. “That’s why we want our players to be involved in this. Now that they’re in this position of having a voice and a platform, it’s important for us to use it appropriately.”

Thursday’s event at Bob Davis Gymnasium starts at 10 a.m. with Kissi discussing the bullying issue along with local business leader Alex Digenis and Joe Rocca from the Niagara River Lions basketball team.

Following the speakers, the Brock men’s team will host Redeemer Royals in a pre-season exhibition game starting at 10:50 a.m.

What: Badgers vs. Bullying

When: Oct. 12, 2017, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Bob Davis Gymnasium, Brock University

Who: 800 elementary school children from across Niagara