RISE
RISE: Empowerment Program engages girls, trans and non-binary youth weekly to support them in building self-confidence, creating social connections, and developing critical thinking skills.
RISE
This free program is open to all girls, trans and non-binary youth ages 9-13 and high school-age mentors 14-18. RISE provides ongoing space to have fun, be active and creative, and connect with others in a safe, judgement-free environment with positive role models.
RISE participants have opportunities to:
-Make connections with new friends, positive role models and learn about building healthy relationships.
-Build self-confidence through creative expression, leadership and physical activities. -Develop critical thinking skills by participating in media literacy and art activism.
-Learn about positive body image, make and share healthy foods.
-Participate in special events.
We offer:
Weekly after-school groups
RISE Empowerment After-School groups are open to participants ages 9-13 and mentors ages 14-18 who are completing volunteer hours. Programs include physical activity and games (either indoor at Killaloe Public school or outdoor when weather permits), group sharing, healthy food, arts, media and youth-choice activities. Free program runs on Thursdays from 4 p.m. -7 p.m., September-June.
RISE 12+ groups
RISE 12+ groups are open to participants ages 12 and older and our teen mentors to provide space for older youth to socialize, participate in age-appropriate conversations and learning, plan youth-choice and youth-led activities, and build on leadership skills. Teen mentors who are volunteering at our weekly after-school groups may also participate in these groups.
Summer day camp
Our five-day summer day camp runs one week in July each year and includes a wide range of activities, games, special guests, and a bus trip to a provincial park for a beach day. Each year is a little different, and past activities have included canoeing, whitewater rafting, hiking, needle felting, creating art, radio hosting, creating glass beads with artist Tanya Lyons, silk screening, tie dyeing, music, and a movie night sleepover. Teen mentors can sign up to earn volunteer hours at camp.
Engagement
RISE provides participants with opportunities to make new friends and develop positive relationships with others and their community.
Healthy snacks
RISE participants are able to participate in creating healthy snacks and meals together. This provides opportunities to learn about healthy food choices and safe food handling.
Time to explore
We explore issues such as building self-esteem, understanding media, creating arts and media, rights and feminism, positive body image development, and what safety means to each of us.
Our goals are
-To create inclusive and diversity-positive space
-To provide opportunities for participants to develop critical thinking skills through media awareness and education
-To support youth to develop their voices through media creation, art, and activism
-To provide youth with a range of diverse role models of all genders
-To build peer support networks and enhance connections between women, girls, trans and non-binary people in our community
to support youth capacity to make healthy and safe choices
As a participant of RISE I loved the sense of community the group had and how it aided me in developing strong leadership skills.Program Participant
Events Calendar