Growing up as a teen girl can be complicated—but one local organization is offering a safe space to help navigate it all.
Agape House is hosting a new program with Youth For Christ this summer for anyone who identifies as a female, ages 12 and up.
It’s called Summer Girls Group, exploring self-esteem, healthy relationships, confidence, communication, and values.
The group meets weekly on Tuesday afternoons in August at Backstage from 2 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Great impact
Lisa Fast, outreach and housing coordinator at Agape House, notes they held a similar program last summer with Backstage.
“We’ve heard a lot of great impact from the group that came last year.. It's been really great to hear that it’s helping the youth,” Fast says.
She notes they wanted a familiar approach to last year’s program, but just for girls this time.
“We talked with Backstage, asked what concerns they’re seeing, and we’re able to offer a group specific to those concerns."
Girl time
Fast, along with Agape House’s children’s counselor, Samantha La Fond, runs Summer Girls Group, lending a listening ear and a space to learn.
“Healthy relationships are not just with our dating partners, right? It can be with family, friends, and people at school,” explains Fast.
The program creates an environment for open conversations—helping youth build skills that will last.
“Boundaries around values are in every relationship, and that will continue on in adulthood with coworkers.”
Lack of support
At its heart, this is more than just a program—it’s about building trust and showing up for youth who need it most.
Fast says there is a lack of resources in our community, especially for young teens.
“For teenage girls, it can be an especially difficult time coming of age, moving into a big school,” Fast notes.
Instilling skills like communication and setting boundaries at a young age helps to establish confidence and self-worth.
Fast hopes the program will give girls the tools to advocate and stand up for themselves.
Looking forward
Though the girls’ group runs until the end of summer, Agape House is looking ahead to expand programming and workshops into schools, all year round.
“Being able to interact with the youth in our community and be a safe person for them to come and talk to is what we want,” says Fast.
To learn more about Summer Girls Group, visit the Agape House website for more details.