GEM in the Brampton Guardian
- BRAMPTON — Two Brampton university students hope their new initiative—Girls Empowerment Movement— will help girls stepping into the portals of high school become confident and comfortable with themselves. “We aim to provide girls in Peel with leadership opportunities, youth mentorship and a network to learn about what others are doing in the community,” said Linda Bui, who along with Annaleshia Jamieson started the program. “The program will especially be helpful for younger girls entering high school as it will help them connect with the experiences of the older girls.” The duo received a $1,500 grant from the United Way of Peel Region last year to execute their ideas. When Bui and Jamieson were in middle school, getting ready to join high school, they said they were nervous and uncertain about the transition, but their school offered them a chance to participate in a couple of conferences geared towards helping students cope with the demands of post-secondary school. “Once we went to high school, there wasn’t anything to help us,” Bui said. “Yes, there are clubs for students, but there wasn’t a conference or a seminar to help all the students. So, when we got the grant, we decided to pull the idea that was in the backburner. We brainstormed and realized a lot of girls would really benefit from something like this.” As part of the Girls Empowerment Movement, Bui and Jamieson are planning to host workshops and conferences featuring guest speakers who will speak on a variety of topics, including setting personal goals, dealing with challenges and tackling issues happening outside their community. Mehakpreet Mahey, 17, said she heard about the mentorship program through other friends who were applying and decided to sign-up. She hopes the workshops will help hone her leadership and communication skills as well as help her understand her peers. “As a teen, I wish I could reach out to my peers for empowerment because many young girls go through a lot just entering high school and do not have the support of older female relatives or friends to talk to,” Mahey said. “I would also like to enhance my leadership skills and, through this experience, I feel I will also gain confidence.” Girls between ages 14 and 24 can join Girls Empowerment Movement by e-mailing [email protected]. by Radhika Panjwani
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An article that mentions GEM receiving a YIA grant!
PEEL— The Youth in Action Grant, a United Way of Peel Region initiative, has awarded $15,000 in grant money to 12 youth-led initiatives. This funding will help motivate and encourage youth to take a leadership role in their community and inspire action and change and applicants—between the ages of 14 to 24 — were each awarded up to $2,000 for their projects most of which focus on addressing a community issue in Peel, said Lauren Thompson, lead of the Youth In Action committee and a member of UW-Peel Region’s Young Leaders Council executive. “Youth in Peel Region have the power to create real change,” she said. “They are true leaders in our community and they are eager to tackle issues within their communities and neighborhoods. We are really excited to provide these youth with the opportunity to explore their leadership and activism and to empower youth in Peel Region to be all they can be.” The agency received 22 applications and 12 were chosen based on a number of criteria, one of which being the importance of the cause to youth in Peel. For instance, The MAD Scatter, which received a $1,500 grant, is an interactive one-day event targeted towards creating mental health awareness amongst Peel youth. Other youth-led initiatives include: • Sports Leadership Camp: A youth-led sports camp for kids • Youth Fight for Food: A youth-led film project to discuss issues related to healthy eating and food security • Girls Empowerment Movement (GEMs): A mentorship opportunity for young high school girls • Women’s Empowerment and Guys 101: An after-school event for students to discuss issues that affect them |
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