LEADERSHIP
Goal:
To promote and enhance the overall well-being of girls and women.
Objectives:
To stimulate critical inquiry into identity, value systems, and relationships;
To cultivate leadership, social consciousness and solidarity;
To inspire physical and creative expression.
Registrations for Summer Space is open!
Places are limited – Register now!
Once again this year, YWCA Montreal invites girls 10 to 15 to its Summer Space! Dance, circus activities, art, video projects and much more will make this summer an unforgettable one!
Two bilingual sessions are offered: July 5-23 and August 2-20.
*A registration fee of $300 applies, however no girl will be refused because of an inability to pay.
Click here for more information. Click here for the registration form.
« Girls Leading Change »
The Leaders et Décisionnelles program aims to encourage and push for increased visibility of young women within decision making bodies. For this very purpose, the series of workshops titled “Girls Leading Change” is offered to young women from diverse communities in Montreal. These workshops offer a creative, practical and hands-on approach to learning how to tackle social issues, exploring the workings of power, role playing real-life scenarios, training in communication and public speaking and much, much more!
Information and subscription:
Marie-Francoise Sitnam, Leadership Services
mfsitnam@ydesfemmesmtl.org
514.866.9941, ext. 310
This project was made possible thanks to the partnership with the Conférence Régionale des Élus de Montréal
and the financial contribution of the
Ministère des Communications,
de la Culture et de la Condition feminine
For more information click here...
Leadership in Action promotes leadership and well-being among girls and young women aged 12 to 25 through the pairing of physical activity (kickboxing, yoga,dance) and self-awareness activities.
Action Makes a Difference engages young women aged 17 to 25 in a collective project based on issues they identify as important in their communities. A follow-up activity to Leadership in Action.
Girls Speak Out provides an intergenerational space for girls aged 9 to 15 to develop their self-awareness and capacity for self-expression. Over the course of two days personal reflection and cooperation are encouraged through art activities, discussions and the creation of a talk show.
Girls Naming Violence inspires collective learning, critical thinking and self-expression around issues of interpersonal and systemic violence in the lives of girls aged 12 to 18. Learning tools include games, role-plays, drawing and media technologies.
Summer Space nourishes solidarity, leadership and social consciousness among girls aged 10 to 15. Participants are kept active through animated workshops, journal writing, artistic activities and a wide range of physical activities. Offered in July and August.
Contact:
Jade Goldfarb
Tel.: 514.866.9941 ext. 426
jgoldfarb@ydesfemmesmtl.org
Early Sexualization Research Project
Early Sexualization Research Project is an action research project. Currently in the research phase, it seeks to develop pedagogical tools and training programs to respond to this phenomenon.
SEXY INC.: PART II
A new documentary film directed by Sophie Bissonnette and produced by the NFB will be released next September. “Staying real: Teens Confront Sexual Stereotypes” is a follow-up to “Sexy Inc. Our Children Under Infuence”, and continues the partnership between the YWCA Montreal Leadership Department and the NFB.
It is destined for young people in grades 6 through 8 and addresses sexual stereotypes and sexualisation circulated by the media, and marketing strategies targeting youth. This documentary film presents numerous strategies that will help young people make enlightened choices and recognize their own self-worth. Slated for opening in September 2010, the film will be accompanied by a facilitation guide created by the YWCA Montreal Leadership Department.
- A guide for parents of preteen girls
- Film Sexy Inc. Nos enfants sous influence
SEXY INC.: NEW FACILITATION GUIDE!
The facilitation guide which accompanies the film “Sexy inc. Our children under influence” (youth version) is now available!
The goal of the facilitation guide is to make young people aged 14 to 17 aware of the issues surrounding sexualization.
GOOD NEWS!
You can now order the Activity Kit for Elementary and High School students "Youth and Sexualization: Innovative approaches to intervention", developed by the YWCA Montreal Leadership Department to prevent sexualization.
Click here for more information or to place an order.
SEXUALIZATION: A NEW ARTICLE TO BE PUBLISHED!
“Fillettes, mode hyper sexualisée et capitalisme”, an article written by the Leadership Department will soon appear in the journal Éthique de la mode féminine, published by Michel Dion and Mariette Julien, Presses universitaires de France, 2010 (pages 97 to 110).
STREET GANGS : CONFERENCE AND PUBLICATION
Carole Boulebsol, sociologist and Leadership Department coordinator of research and development presented the preliminary results of the prevention training project “Tools for Effective Action” during McGill University’s annual feminist symposium this past May 14th.
With the collaboration of Myriam Ariey-Jouglard, Katherine Marr and Sarah Bromby, Ms. Boulebsol conducted an action research project on preventing street gangs from recruiting girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
On the basis of the preliminary work (review of literature and existing services, interviews with community workers and other implicated persons) and notions of sexuality, gender and self-representation, Ms. Boulebsol gave a presentation entitled “Socialization of girls, a risk factor?” where she demonstrated that the coercive factor does not in itself explain the affiliation girls make with street gangs, but that it is appropriate to reflect on this phenomenon in term of constructions imaginary constructions, strategies and beliefs.
How do these teenagers come to conceive of prostitution not as an exploitation of their bodies by their pimp, but as a form of solidarity with their partner or even as an expression of affection?
An article on this subject will soon be published, and a training inspired by this work will be available in 2010-2011.
For more information on this project, please contact Carole Boulebsol at: 514 866-9941, ext. 350
YOUTH, MEDIA AND SEXUALISATION CONFERENCE
- International Conference Youth, Media and Sexualization, May 2009 –
Conference Proceedings
Contact:
Lilia Goldfarb
Tel.: 514.866.9941 ext. 429
lgoldfarb@ydesfemmesmtl.org
Downloadable pdf brochure of all leadership youth programs.
Adult Programs
Personal development and self-affirmation
My Time: A gathering place for women (starts February 2010)
This eight-week self-discovery program is designed to empower women to explore their personal potential and to find new meaning in their lives.
Some topics we will explore over the course of eight workshops:
- Connecting with who I really am
- Creating and maintaining balance
- Making conscious choices
- Authentic communication in relationships
- Identifying qualities and strengths
- Exploring well-being: the elements of 'good-health'
- Dealing with conflict and transition
- Clarifying and managing emotions
- Opening to creativity and life’s possibilities
Niki Paquin will be facilitating this circle of exploration, connection and creativity.
Workshops will take place Wednesdays at the YWCA Montreal
from 6:00 to 8:30 pm on the following dates:
February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14
Registration form for women’s programs
Contact:
Susan Dwire
Tel.: 514. 866.9941 ext. 232
sdwire@ydesfemmesmtl.org
Movement and Change (may be offered in Fall 2010)
Movement and Change is a series of eight workshops for women between 45 and 64 years of age, intended to encourage reflection on the important transitions of mid-life.
This program is offered in French and English.
Contact:
Susan Dwire
Tel.: 514. 866.9941 ext. 232
sdwire@ydesfemmesmtl.org
Power and Purpose (offered in Fall 2010)
Power & Purpose is a series of eight workshops designed to allow women aged 45 years + to explore their personal potential and discover meaning and purpose at this time of their lives.
Registration form for women’s programs
Contact:
Régine Tardieu-Bertheau
Tel.: 514.866.9941 ext. 232
rtb@ydesfemmesmtl.org