It's the way these kids and teens start off every Saturday morning - encouraging one another to believe in themselves.

"You have accept yourself before you can be the best person you can be," said 10th grader Erin Boyle.

They're all part of a new weekly youth empowerment workshop called "UP TO ME! The Magazine Where Kids are Free to Be." It's held at the Freedom from Fear Center on Seaview Avenue. The program was created by local English teacher and children's book author Sabrina Panfilo, who says the rigidity of the education system inspired her to start it.

"We need to step outside of the classroom, and figure out what's going on with these kids on the inside," said Panfilo.

Participants ages 6 to 17 work with Panfilo and an illustrator, to express how they feel through writing and drawing. All of their pieces are later printed in their own monthly magazine. This month, students are addressing emotions associated with going back to school.

"I wrote I'm joyful I'm awesome I'm yummy I'm dynamite I'm exceptional and I'm nice," said 2nd grade student Jayden Panfilo.

"No matter what other people say about me, I'm myself and no one can judge me," said 5th grader Joyce Park.

Panfilo says not only does seeing their work in a printed magazine make them feel confident - it also gives them something positive to look back on if they're ever feeling down. This page says I can do anything and anything is possible.

"And I can always say, do you remember what gives you power? There's no such thing as you can't it's always - you can," said Panfilo.

Registration fees vary but magazines are free.

For more visit http://www.SabrinaPanfilo.com.