Youth Programs (ages 12-30)
Creating Space
Creating Space is a program designed by YWCA St. John’s to address gender-based violence, develop mental well-being, and build youth leadership in our communities by working directly with youth to be intergenerational mentors. Delivered in partnership with local high schools, the program will support young women and gender diverse youth, ages 14-18, in developing critical thinking and leadership skills, relating to youth GBV prevention, through a series of four (4) afterschool sessions.
Read more about Creating Space here.
Interested in bringing ‘Creating Space’ to your school? Contact us!
L.E.A.D Program
Throughout this four-day training, women and gender diverse youth, ages 15-18, have the chance to build on their leadership and advocacy skills, network with peers and leaders in community, and gain insight and confidence in their leadership abilities. As a group, we explore and build on self-awareness, facilitation skills, building group dynamics, conflict resolution, managing mental health in leadership, and how we can all contribute to creating safe(r) spaces. This year, the program will include anti-racism, anti-oppression, and cultural diversity training as well.
CareerCompass Program
Grounded in frameworks of intersectional gender equity, social justice, and strengths-based approaches, the CareerCompass program is a career exploration, readiness, and mentorship program developed by YWCA for young women and gender diverse youth between ages 18 and 30. The program includes one-on-one mentorship for youth seeking guidance on building meaningful careers. In addition to mentorship, program participants also get an opportunity to learn, and/or build on, technical and interpersonal skills through workshops focused on career and personal development.
Power of Being You (PBY)
Each year, YWCA St. John’s hosts Power of Being You – an empowerment-based, violence prevention conference for youth. This conference is typically held in partnership with a local junior high school and supports youth from ages 12 to 15 to build confidence in their leadership and critical thinking skills through the development of a stronger sense of self-awareness and awareness of others.
Read more about Power of Being You here.
Interested in bringing ‘Power of Being You’ to your school? Contact us!
Past Programs
The Collective
The purpose of the Collective, a group of youth between ages 18 and 30, is to further the YWCA’s mission and vision. They support YWCA’s many social justice-oriented goals through events and initiatives centered around peer networking, mentoring, and leadership development. Membership is open to all young women and gender diverse youth between the ages of 18-30.
TechGyrls (STEM Program)
TechGyrls is a STEM-based program for cis and trans girls, non-binary, and two-spirit youth ages 9 to 13. It is rooted in the knowledge that cis and trans women and girls, non-binary, and two-spirit youth are disproportionately underrepresented in STEM fields. Through TechGyrls, participants have the opportunity to explore, design, create, and share all things related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math! Each session is tailored to youths’ interests in STEM, making it as unique as those who participate. Currently, TechGyrls is being delivered in partnership with Bishop Abraham Elementary.
Additional Opportunities for Youth
#BlockHate Resilience Roundtable
🌐 Are you concerned about the state of online violence in our increasingly technological world and wish to take action? Then this event is for you!
Through a series of workshops led by YWCA Canada, participants will learn to recognize and prevent online hate as well as develop strategies to intervene and support victims and witnesses of online hate. Together, we will learn about creating safer digital spaces!
Roundtable details:
➡️ May 4, 2024 [from 10am to 4pm]
➡️ For youth between ages 16-25
➡️ Lunch + snacks included!
➡️ ‘Certificate of Success' provided upon completion
📍 Location: St. John's (A1C)
