Comox Valley Girls Group, sponsored by the Comox Valley Transition Society, announces that the Vancouver Foundation will provide $17,600 for Taking Flight, an initiative for young women aged 17 to 21.
This funding augments financial support for other programming, provided by the Central and Northern Island United Way and the Comox Valley Transition Society.
Taking Flight will support young women who are transitioning to adulthood, and navigating challenges such as access to affordable services, life skills (employment skills, housing, etc.), and maintaining healthy relationships and support networks.
The focus will be on building skills and resources for independent living, maintaining physical and mental health, and maintaining connection to community services. Priority will be given to young women at risk for homelessness/living in poverty, to young women with limited supports, and to young women with mental health concerns or other barriers.
Girls Group is entering its 15th year in the Comox Valley. Hundreds of girls and young women have participated in the psycho-educational/support groups and related projects such as Through a Girl’s Lens photography project, Altered Barbies, zine making and spoken word workshops, and the Comox Valley Herstory Project.
Co-ordinator Wendy Morin expressed gratitude to funders, Comox Valley Transition Society, and community partners who have contributed generously to the lives of local girls and young women over the years.
“The support we have received has enabled us to respond to the evolving landscape of issues young women face daily," she says. "My team of facilitators and I do our best to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental forum for girls’ voices. Frankly, the participants exceed our expectations on a regular basis with their authenticity, courage, creativity, and resilience.”
New groups for all ages begin the week of Oct. 14 and the first week of November. The groups are held weekly for nine to 12 weeks.
In addition to the groups, Comox Valley Girls Group provides an opportunity for 16- to 18-year-old young women to participate in over 20 hours of valuable training to prepare them to co-facilitate groups with an adult facilitator. The training and subsequent facilitation may be used towards work experience credits for graduation.
The next training is scheduled for early 2014 and normally takes place during one weekend and three evenings. There have space for 10 participants.
For more information or to register for groups or training, contact Amy at acrook77@gmail.com, Wendy at wendy@comoxvalleygirlsgroup.com or leave a message at 897-0511.
— Comox Valley Girls Group