Peggy Revell
A new program that aims to boost self-esteem in young girls is set run here this fall.
The “Uniquely Me” program is meant to address the “critical nation-wide [issue] of low self-esteem amongst adolescent and pre-adolescent girls,” explained Fort Frances resident Heather Jarvis, who is looking to run the program for five weeks this fall.
“I recognized it as a need in the community,” she remarked, noting the program was created by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and Unilever.
“I think it’s really important for the youth to have, plus it’s a fun program,” Jarvis reasoned.
The no-cost program is set to run at J.W. Walker School each Tuesday starting on Oct. 5.
Two different age group programs will be offered—a “Junior” one for girls aged eight-10 and an “intermediate” one for those aged 11-14.
Each program will have room for eight-10 participants.
At the first meeting of the “junior” group, the girls will make scrapbooks about who they are—creating pages on what they feel their best qualities are, as well as talking about their heroes and idols, Jarvis explained.
“It’s all about identifying what leadership skills they have and what positive skills they have, and building on those skills so that they can end up being leaders in our community,” she noted.
“The second section is ‘Me and the Media,’ and how the media influences girls and how they feel about themselves, and how to recognize those media influence and not judge yourself compared to them,” Jarvis added.
The third session will cover being healthy, making healthy choices, and managing stress while the fourth one will be about body language and other communication skills.
The final week of the program will be a wrap-up and evaluation.
Jarvis said the “intermediate” level will tackle the same topics, but presented in a different way for the older age group.
“The reason why I like this program is that it’s flexible and we can adapt it to meet the needs of our community, or any community that does this program,” she added.
As part of the local program, Jarvis is hoping to tie in a type of mentorship for the girls.
“What I’m planning on doing is throughout the session, getting the girls to identify where they see themselves in the future or what they want to be when they grow up,” she remarked.
From whatever profession they want to get into, Jarvis then hopes to find a local women who already is in that field and have her come to the final session to meet and answer questions.
“And then I’m hoping through that, they’ll develop a relationship with that person and keep that mentorship throughout the next couple of years.”
Support for the “Uniquely Me” program has come through the local Canadian Mental Health Association. As well, Family & Children’s Services here has provided a children’s mental health therapists to assist as co-facilitator.
“The community support has just been amazing,” Jarvis enthused. “And the community has been so welcoming to it, so I think it’s going to be successful.”
Jarvis said the long-term goal is to get the program running more often, and on an ongoing basis.
As well, she hopes it can be adapted where needed—such as providing the program on a one-on-one basis with a child if it’s more ideal for them than a group setting.
While there is a program component available to girls aged 14 and up, Jarvis said she’ll wait until the first run through of the program with the two younger age groups before expanding it to the older one.
Those interested in registering, or helping to support the program, can contact Jarvis at 274-3382.
