Navigating the rocky road to adulthood is challenging for young girls at the best of times.

 

Girls Empowerment Group, a newly-launched program at the Ann Davis Transition Society in Chilliwack, brings girls aged 12-17 years together for eight-week sessions to build life skills and develop behavioural and emotional supports. The Envision Financial Community Endowment grant will provide funding for four groups of 12 girls each who will benefit from facilitated instruction and recreation and crafts to learn about communications, healthy relationships, abuse awareness, understanding emotions and leadership to enhance the girls’ self-image.

 

 

The inaugural Girls Group session launched in September, 2011 and was very successful with participants gaining valuable knowledge, skills and support from one another in addition to the friendships they formed. Brianna Payne, a program participant commented, “Girls Group is a safe place where you can go be yourself and not feel judged or that you need to prove something.” She hopes to participate in another session and has offered to help lead future groups to share her experiences with other girls.

 

Girls Group is truly innovative in its holistic approach to engaging and educating participants. In addition to counsellor-facilitated sessions, a yoga instructor helps the girls develop positive body image, and leads strength and relaxation exercises, and other facilitators lead sessions on nutrition, fitness, personal care, and developing safety plans.

 

“The program encourages positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development,” said Terresa McKenzie, a counsellor with the Ann Davis Transition Society. “We want the girls to recognize how their choices impact their relationships and outlook in life, and we work to empower them to build the life skills and resiliency they need to be successful."

 

Seline Kutan, executive director of the First West Foundation adds, “The programs and services offered at Ann Davis are critical to not only fostering strong individuals, but creating healthy families and vibrant productive communities. The First West Foundation is proud to support the Girls Group program in order to help these young girls make smart life choices.” 

 

With a vision of violence-free communities, the Ann Davis Transition Society was established in 1979 to provide support and services to those affected by abuse or violence. The society was named for a local Chilliwack resident who, throughout her lifetime, provided battered women with temporary shelter in her home and organized food hampers for those in need. For more information about the Ann Davis Transition Society and their programs and services, visit www.anndavis.org.