Gamma Girls teaches leadership to teens

Times Reporter      

 

Junior high can be a tough place for many teens that often are struggling to figure out who they are and become accepting of who they are.

These struggles are why this year Family Liaison Worker Crystal Wahl and Education Assistant Shirley Boiteau have teamed up to bring Gamma Girls to Holy Cross Collegiate. 

“We’re gearing it towards junior high, 7 to 9’s because I personally find that those are troubling years. We get a lot of problems with junior high girls especially and I think it will be a great opportunity for some of those girls,” said Boiteau.

Gamma Girls is a 10-week program which is meant to help teen girls become self-leaders by focusing on the skills, attitudes and values they need to get through their teen years. Boiteau said she is hoping the program will give them more self-respect, self-esteem and a chance to look at all the influences from their outside life and make better choices.

“My hope is that they get a lot more self-esteem and they feel good about themselves just the way they are. They don’t have to mould themselves to these images they see (and are) bombarded (with) every day, and are happy with who they are,” said Boiteau.

“I think it is so important to have the opportunity to direct the girls in a positive way like that because a lot of them don’t get that at home.”

There are posters up around the school and both Wahl and Boiteau are waiting to see if any of the girls come forward on their own. Wahl plans to speak about the program at the parent teacher night.

Each week of Gamma Girls there is a new topic being discussed. In week one it is an introductory session. The following weeks are about communication, the impact of the media, positive self-image, understanding your inner voice, problem solving and assertiveness, healthy sexuality for teens, managing risk, being a real friend and honouring your dreams. 

The program will run for approximately an hour to an hour and a half once a week. The program is Christian-based which makes it a good fit for the school. Boiteau said she likes it because a lot of the girls may not ever go to church outside of the school but being a Catholic school they have a unique opportunity with a lot of them to help teach them and guide them in a Christian way. 

“It’s easier to get kids to feel good about themselves if they understand they were created by a God who loves them, and they’re not just an accident. If you can get that through to them that increases their self-value right there,” said Wahl.

The program is scheduled to start on Oct. 9. To find out more about Gamma Girls go to www.gammagirls.org