The Power of Girls-Ontario Outreach Project
Girls Action Foundation in partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation has committed to increasing the participation of girls and young women in local community involvement and strengthening girls’ self-esteem. This three year project works with local programs within cities like Moose Factory, Peterborough and Toronto, to help build the capacity of community organizations across Ontario and to provide effective girls programs though program support and workshops.
Who We Are Collaborating With:
- Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre offers accessible and helpful support and information services to anyone affected by eating disorders and support the prevention of eating disorders by promoting healthy lifestyles, positive body image and self-esteem.
With the support of Girls Action Foundation, Hopewell is implementing an outdoor experiential education program for girls ages 12-16 in order to reconnect the young women to nature while encouraging confidence, positive self-esteem and body image.
- The Peterborough Arts Umbrella is a multi-disciplinary, membership-based facility for working artists and community members interested in the thriving Peterborough arts community. It offers many services, including rehearsal spaces for musicians and other performers, a digital media centre with audio and video editing suites, and a 400-square-foot gallery.
In collaboration with Girls Action Foundation, Peterborough Arts Umbrella is implementing a program with ten local girls to offer training in video production, music recording and e-journalism, in order to increase the critical thinking, media literacy and community building capacity. In addition to the training, the girls are also offered mentorship in guitar, bass, drums, and vocals as well as song-writing and performance during the first half of each workshops.
- WORC-IT (Women of Race climbing it Together) is a is a non-profit organization committed to assisting women, with priority to youth and racial minorities, by providing them with mentors, resources and other services to benefit their health, finances and economic welfare.
With the support of Girls Action Foundation, WORC IT is implementing a year-long project entitled “Aspiring Leaders Project” which involves 14 girls from the Jane and Finch area participating in a variety of personal growth and leadership opportunities. In addition a group of eight mentors are available for these girls on a continuous basis.
- The Girls Centre YWCA – Toronto, increases opportunities for girls, ages 10-18 years, to build on their existing strengths and contribute to their communities by providing a variety of workshops, conferences, drop-in programs, and leadership training activities.
In collaboration with Girls Action Foundation, the Girls Cenre YMCA Toronto is carrying out a training session for young girls in order to enable them to plan, facilitate and document peer led focus groups. This project’s goal is to train these young women to implement a youth led focus group initiative.
