Agape House to empower teen girls

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This article was published 19/02/2024 (435 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A two year pilot project by Agape House that aims to empower girls with confidence, leadership skills, knowledge on healthy relationships, self-defence, and much more, will run for eight weeks in Steinbach.

“We’ve for sometime now, noticed that there aren’t many programs for teenagers in Steinbach – in this area. We’re noticing that there’s some faith based groups and things like that, but nothing for just everybody to attend. And part of our mandate is just really empowering our teens and giving them skills to lead healthy and happy lives. We’re hoping that this will help address a gap that is in our community,” said executive director Tracy Whitby.

A 2017 survey for Girl Guides of Canada, where 523 Canadian girls aged 15 to 17 were polled, found that 59 percent of teenage girls in Canada are facing pressure to conform to unrealistic expectations, which can negatively affect their self-esteem. Sixty percent surveyed agree they feel pressure from society (the media, social media, parents, or teachers) to conform to unrealistic expectations about what it means to “be a girl”, whether it’s how they should look, dress, speak or act, or the specific interests they should have. Sixty percent agree they feel pressure from the media or social media to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

“I think we’ve come a long way over the years. I think girls are beginning to feel more empowered, but I still think there’s much work to be done to level that playing field and you know what?…being a teenager is hard, right? So whenever we can offer any kind of support to them is a win win situation in my mind,” said Whitby.

She noted that Agape House wants to create a safe space for girls where they can gain different tools and techniques to help with all aspects of their lives. Agape wants to build an environment where girls feel like they belong and where they feel like they’ve grown.

“We’re just hoping to be able to let them feel safe and heard and valued. And that they almost have a bit of power on how the group goes just because it is brand new and we are going to be kind of seeing how things go, and we’ll kind of shape it and offer it again and change it where needed. So it’s really interesting. It’s a cool project to be a part of.”

Whitby said Agape wasn’t sure if there would be interest in the workshops, but the mountain of emails and calls the organization has gotten about the program for girls 14 to 17 has been huge.

“I believe that what we’ve guessed in terms of this being a bit of a gap in our community is accurate just because of the interest in this group. It seems to be an overwhelming interest for people to join so far which is fantastic we’re so happy about that.”

There are only 10 spaces for the workshops, but those that fail to make it into this round will be put on a waiting list for the next round this summer. Workshops will be held on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are open to the whole Southeast.

Anyone interested in registering or to get more information can call 204-326-6062 or email student@agapehouse.ca.