Together with the Leeds Grenville and Lanark Health Unit and other community groups, Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking to help young girls make better choices through their new Go Girls program – but they need your help.
The main goal of the Go Girls! Program is to develop an appreciation of the benefits of an active, healthy, lifestyle among girls’ aged 12 to 14. In addition, the program strives to achieve the following key objectives:
√ To support girls and young women in choosing to maintain a healthy active lifestyle;
√ To provide girls and young women with the tools and information they need to choose to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle;
√ To enhance competence, confidence and self esteem of girls and young women regarding healthy active living; and
√ To build the leadership and life skills all program participants
The Go Girls! Program consists of 7 mentoring sessions conducted over a 7-10 week period. Each session is 1.5-2 hours in length and is held during or after school, within school facilities. Each session is structured around the three Go Girls! themes: active living, balanced eating, and feeling good about oneself. As such, each session consists of various physical activities, a snack break, and discussion. A workbook is provided to each participant, and activities are led by the mentors to ensure full participation. A journal is kept by each participant, encouraging reflection.
Participation in the Go Girls! program also provides girls and young women with the skills and information they need to be proactive about their overall health and well-being. It encourages them to take ownership of their choices, whether that be in what food and substances they consume, what risks they take physically and how they look at themselves and their bodies.
Response to the program has been so positive – one young woman wrote this in a thank you letter to the agency, “Go Girls has inspired me to start to take better care of my body and treat others better. I am eating healthier than I used to. Thank you for helping.”
Three sessions have been held so far, two in SmithsFalls and one in Lanark. For the fall of 2009, it is the goal of the committee to offer the program in Perth and Almonte.
Go Girls costs about $50 per child, and it requires volunteer mentors to lead the program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently seeking female volunteer mentors between the ages of 18 and 25 to run the programs. Time commitment is as little s two hours per week and the reward of seeing personal development and change in the girls is fantastic.
Financial donations would also be welcome. The agency has been in operation for 35 years, and does not receive government funding. To provide their programs and services, the agency hosts fundraisers, operates Jewels, and is a proud United Way agency member.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark Count provides a variety of mentoring programs to over 120 children throughout the County. For more information, please contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 613-0283-0570.