GROW: Guidance, resilience, opportunity, wellness
Early last month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Pembina Valley held its first GROW Youth workshop, aimed at empowering young girls by focusing on key areas such as self-identity, confidence, and leadership skills. The free event saw 15 girls from the Pembina Valley region come together for a day of personal growth and development.
A crucial developmental stage
The workshop was designed for girls in Grades 5 and 6, a pivotal stage in their developmental journey. Janelle Neufeld, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Pembina Valley, explained that the goal was to provide these young women with the guidance and support they need during this crucial phase of their lives. "We want to help them become the bright and thriving young women we know they can be," Neufeld said.
Community experts lead sessions
A standout feature of the workshop was the participation of a variety of local experts who helped lead different sessions. Danielle Crossman, the program's mentoring coordinator, along with Neufeld, led the day's activities, while special guests brought additional insights.
Stephanie Hildebrand, a Grade 5 teacher and certified personal trainer, led the morning session on movement, encouraging the girls to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives in simple, accessible ways. "Movement doesn’t always have to be intentional," Neufeld shared, highlighting that activities like walking to a store with friends can count as exercise.
In the afternoon, Janine LaForte from Real Life Nutrition in Winnipeg guided the girls through a nutrition workshop, where they learned about balanced eating and cooked a healthy meal together—Turkey Bacon Mac and Cheese.
Finally, Kelly Vipond, a local mental health counselor, ran the mental health session, fostering a safe space for the girls to explore their emotions and mental well-being.
Overwhelming community support
The community support for the event was overwhelming, with a quick fill-up of the 15 available spots in just three days. The program also received significant financial backing from local businesses, raising $6,000 to cover the cost of the workshop. This generosity ensured the event was able to run smoothly and to the high standard envisioned by the organizers.
Positive feedback from participants
Feedback from participants and their parents was overwhelmingly positive, with many girls expressing a desire for the program to continue on a regular basis. "They wanted us to run it once a month," Neufeld said, adding that many of the girls formed strong connections with one another, despite coming from different towns in the Pembina Valley.
Looking to the future
Looking ahead, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Pembina Valley is planning another Grow Youth session for the spring. They also aim to expand the program further, incorporating male facilitators in future workshops. As part of their rebranding efforts, the organization is launching a new program series called "Grow," which will encompass both ongoing group programming in schools and one-off workshops like Grow Youth.
Neufeld shared her excitement about the future of the initiative. "It’s so inspiring to see the community rally behind us. We know we’re doing something that is needed, and we can’t wait to continue empowering the youth in our community."
For more information on upcoming workshops and programs, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Pembina Valley’s website.
