At the Women’s Centre, we acknowledge that girls have unique experiences related to being a girl.
The Girls Programs provides girls, Two Spirit, trans, and non-binary children and youth a safe space to share their knowledge of leadership, activism, and community building. We facilitate various activities that include crafts, discussions, and most importantly, youth-led sessions where youth practice their leadership skills. Participants consistently tell us that our programs are fun and help them feel more confident and connected. Discussions and activities are led, through a gender specific lens, on topics youth are interested in.
Our Girls Programs are free, and we provide supplies, food and bus tickets for participants.
The Women’s Centre aims to support children and youth build their confidence and self-esteem by building community and practicing leadership and activism skills. If interested in the Girls Programs, please contact the Girls Program Team at: youth@womenscentrecalgary.org.
Girls Programs participants will:
- Build their self-esteem, confidence and belief in their own abilities
- Connect with a community of girls and gender diverse youth and build supportive friendships
- Explore and develop their leadership skills by engaging in small and medium-sized projects, workshops, and leading sessions on their own
- Gain an introduction to activism, social justice, and social change
- Meet local women, girl and gender diverse leaders, and activists who are influencing change in their communities
- Learn about the impact of gender roles, sexism, racism, violence, stereotypes and other issues in a safe environment
Girls Programs details:
School Year Programs
Girl Power, Grades 5 & 6
- In-person: Every Wednesday 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, doors open at 4 pm
- Programming is a combination of fun, engaging workshops led by staff, volunteers and community partners including crafts, music and more
- Participants get involved in youth-led sessions where they focus on leadership skills, community building and activism.
Girl Force, Grades 7 to 9
- In-person: Every Thursday 4:30 – 6:30 pm, doors open at 4 pm
- Programming is a combination of fun, engaging workshops led by staff, volunteers and community partners, including crafts, music and more
- Participants get involved in youth-led sessions where they focus on leadership skills, community building and activism
Spring & Summer Programs
Girl Power Camps (grades 5-6) and Girl Force Camps (grades 7-9) run every spring and summer for one week at a time.
- Registration for spring programs available only to participants who have attended after school programs two or more times.
- Summer programs registration begins mid-May
Girls Lead YYC, Grades 10 to 12
- Once a week, 2 hours in the evenings in the summer (July – August)
- Programming will cover topics like community organizing, strategic communications, movement building, connecting with allies, and addressing systemic barriers and root causes of community problems
Girls Connect Events!
- For girls and gender diverse youth in Grades 5-9 to gather as a community, explore leadership and activism, and have fun!
- Organized by participants in Grades 10-12 in summer
- Girl Connect Conference
- Summer Wrap-Up Party: Mental Health Edition 2022
Girls’ Walking Tour
- As part of the city-wide Jane’s Walk weekend in May, girls organize a walking tour to raise awareness about the issues that are important to girls and gender diverse youth in Calgary
- Organized in partnership with Awo’taan Healing Lodge Society and Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary’s Youth Mentorship Program in 2019
- Free for all ages and genders to attend.
- Feminist Walk in 2020
- Girls Lead: Local Lenses in 2021
Registration:
To register for any of the Girls Programs please complete the form here.
or, contact us at youth@womenscentrecalgary.org or call (403) 264-1155.
To stay connected, follow @girlsleadyyc on Instagram.