A mentoring program designed to help girls come through their early teens with their self-esteem intact will be launched in Rimbey and Bluffton this month.
Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, is a program that promotes active living, balanced eating and feeling good for girls aged 12 to 14. The eight-week program is to begin in Bluffton Sept. 13. It is to be offered at Rimbey schools on a rotation and will be presented by Annette Peck of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Melissa Kuipers of Youth Unlimited. The eight-week program is to provide the girls with information and support as well as encourage healthy choices, resulting in long-term wellness.
During the sessions, the importance of physical activity, balanced eating habits and positive self-image will be emphasized.
“I feel young women today need better strategies to combat all of the unhealthy influences coming at them from many directions,” said Peck. “They need to learn how to value and take care of themselves, as well as how to appreciate and develop their strengths.”
Peck said positive communication and strong relationships and learning to trust their own judgment as opposed to media and peer pressure to look and act a certain way will also be part of the program’s criteria.
“I am excited about the information we are about to share and the fun way it is presented through the Go Girls! program.
Activity levels tend to decrease at this age and many young women struggle with what society expects of them, emotionally and physically. This is when unhealthy habits start and become very hard to break later in life.”
Peck said the program could expand in the future to include Game On! the basketball-themed version for boys.
The Go Girls! program was developed in 2001 through partnerships with OPHEA, The University of Toronto’s Centre for Girls and Women’s Health and Physical Activity and the nutrition resource centre.
In July 2006 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, previously a community partner, took full ownership of the program.
September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month. Call Annette at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 403-843-1066 with questions about the Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program or the regular mentorship program.