Girls Group
Today’s youth face certain challenges when out-of-school programs aren’t available, including social isolation, depression, anxiety, boredom, and a lack of awareness of the world around them. Kids need connection—providing a positive space prevents them from seeking out a sense of belonging in potentially harmful ways. Additionally, proven developmental science tells us that adolescents need trusted, stable, committed, and caring adults to help them regulate stress and navigate adversity.
In 2023, our Immigrant Services Settlement Practitioners noticed a gap in prevention and early intervention programs specifically for teen and preteen girls in Lethbridge, and sought to fill it.
At LFS, we love cross-cultural connections! The LFS Girls Group program is a way for newcomer, Indigenous, and settler girls alike to find belonging and make connections to their community. It's open to any girls aged 10-18 who are looking for a safe space to build confidence, make friends, and learn new skills.
It is crucial that our youth are able to build confidence and a positive sense of identity. We know that caring adult mentorship is a mitigating factor to prevent negative long-term health and social outcomes in at-risk youth. Our Girls Group program aims to help prepare girls aged 10–18 years old to be active members of their communities through:
Connecting with their peers
Engaging in different topics like healthy relationships, nutrition, hygiene, and more, with supplies given to each youth
Building communication skills
Expressing themselves through arts and crafts
Receiving academic support
Engaging in a variety of fun and educational field trips
Receiving assistance with basic needs and supplies
In a space where they feel safe, nurtured, and mentored, our free program for girls runs every Friday afternoon.
Who will we help? 50 Newcomer girls ages 10–18 for 50 Fridays throughout the year.
Fundraising Goal: $12,500
Gallery & Past Activities
This program partially funded by:
Examples of Girls Group Activities
Weekly topics include:
Empowerment: mental health and wellness
Vision board creation: building emotional strength
Role-playing real-life scenarios and 'I Am' affirmation circle
Sharing of strengths and challenges: girls-only discussion
Building emotional strength
Healthy thinking patterns
Our bodies and emotions
Managing stress and anxiety
Understanding sadness and depression, and overcoming anger
Building healthy relationships
Art and Crafts:
Creative crafting
Sewing or knitting
Holiday crafts to learn about different holiday traditions
Physical health:
Healthy living and hygiene (with nursing students)
Sports:
Swimming
Gentle yoga
Volleyball
Basketball
Soccer
Often in collaboration with community partners—Recreation Excellence Lethbridge and Youth One
Learning and STEM:
Chess for all ages with Chess for Life, University of Lethbridge
Culturally aware suicide prevention
STEM activities: Lethbridge Polytechnic nursing students
Terrarium building
Micro-surveys
Culture and Entertainment:
Movie matinee
Cooking together
Volunteering at the soup kitchen
Canada Day event
Pop-up activities, impromptu gardening
Board games
World Refugee Day, volunteering and attending
Radio station tour and career talk
Cultural holiday discussions and crafts (e.g. Eid and Ramadan)
Excursions:
TELUS Spark Science Centre
Shopping for personal items and groceries
Walks and exploration of Lethbridge (public art, landmarks, areas of interest)
Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Calgary Zoo
Contact: Michelle Gallucci, Director of Advancement and Communications
Email: MGallucci@LFSfamily.ca
Phone: 403-915-8028
Office Hours:
8:30 am—4:30 pm, Monday—Friday
Closed Statutory holidays
