girls group!

I thought I would spend a little time explaining what my girls group is, since I have received a couple of questions from intrigued facebook friends!

Two years ago I was working on women's health initiatives with the local health authority. I attended a women's health conference where I heard an incredible woman from the downtown eastside of vancouver explain the self-esteem girls group she created for minority and at-risk girls.

I was so inspired that I left the conference immediately (don't tell my boss!). I literally ran home and started brainstorming...maybe, just maybe I could form a girls group at my old high school!

So after much research, a project plan and a billion ideas, I contacted one of my favorite teachers from Esquimalt High and put the idea out there to her. She was thrilled - and even more exciting, one of my most wonderful friends from high school had recently come to her with a similar thought in mind - giving back to the Esquimalt community and promoting self-image, self-esteem and self-worth to high school girls.

image from here

We spent a whole summer planning, and in September 2008 we started the Esquimalt High School Girls Group. The first year of the group we had a steady, rock-solid group of 6 girls. This year, we have 15-20 who participated when they can in the drop-in group.

The whole purpose of the group is for these young girls to feel good about themselves. Self-hate and low self-esteem is an epidemic for female youth right now. And it's unacceptable.

So to try and combat this, we offer weekly sessions that focus on holistic health for the girls - healthy relationships, healthy minds, healthy bodies, healthy spirits and healthy sexuality.

Over the course of two years we have done everything from field trips to volunteering, from guest speakers to just 'hang out days'. We have gone canoeing around the Gorge and to MAC for make-overs prior to the dances. We have had a slew of guest speakers, from female RCMP officers to the Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins (a strong female role model in our community!). We have frequent visits from the Public Health Nurse (free goodie bags!) and just recently had a representative from the Women's Transition House come talk to us about abuse. We have made Valentine's cards for elderly homes, and have visited Our Place Shelter. We have brought in yoga, pilates, kickboxing and belly-dancing instructors.

We are opening our eyes to the world around us, and building ourselves up at the same time.

image from here

I love facilitating the girls group with Steph - it has not only made me a more self-confident and self-assured person, but it has inspired and motivated me. I see the kind of bravery, honesty and confidence in the girls that I aspire to. It also allows me to witness firsthand the selflessness of many in our community - all of our guest speakers and instructors do this on their own time, with no compensation. They do this out of the goodness of their hearts, and because they were once girls themselves.

I am so grateful for this group - it makes my whole heart happy. And although there have been a few times that I have experienced 'volunteer burn-out', I keep chugging because I know I have Steph by my side and the girls smiling faces (and big hugs!) to welcome me each week.

xo