CHESTERMERE – The GLOW (Girls Leading Others Wisely) program is set to make a special appearance in Chestermere later this month.
The program, which strives to provide tween girls with self confidence and the necessary skills to become effective and influential leaders, is normally an eight week program. However, it has been compacted into a four week program specially for Chestermere, and will run at the Recreation Centre beginning on Jan. 20.
The program was founded by Kim Tackaberry in 2006, who said that she “recognized the need for girls to have a forum in which to speak openly about a variety of topics and concerns relevant to teenagers.”
Each session utilizes a “GLOW Circle” to promote discussion about preteen and teen topics, as well as introducing fun and creative physical activity to participants. All aspects of the program are created to strengthen a girls well being, nutritional choices and physical exercise to develop a true sense of self.
Sherri Standish, program administrator for Community Services in Chestermere, said that she first heard about GLOW back in August after reading about it in the Calgary Herald. She said that because local parents had previously been talking to her about the age nine to 11 age group and how they are lacking in self awareness and struggling to deal with things like peer pressure, she decided to try and bring GLOW to the community.
“Preteen girls are questioning a lot about themselves at that stage in life, and because parents in the community were looking at the gap in what we provide to that age group, I thought it would be a perfect fit,” she said.
Standish said that she quickly inquired about bringing the program here, and that the GLOW team was very responsive.
“They were quite interested because it fit right into their schedule,” she said. “So we talked and we got excited about it, and now luckily the program is on its way.”
Standish said that the program leaders are excited to bring the program to a smaller community, as they haven’t gone far beyond the borders of Calgary.
“We’re very fortunate and we’re excited to have them,” Standish said.
The program has a maximum of 12 spots available, and six are already filled. Standish said that the minimum was six, so there is no chance of the program being cancelled.
The cost for the program is $150. Community Services is subsidizing the program so it can be offered at a reduced cost, but Standish said that they will offer financial assistance for anyone who needs it to cover the cost.
“We don’t want the cost to be a barrier for anyone, we want any girls who are interested to be able to participate,” she said.
The GLOW program in Chestermere is open to girls aged nine to 11, and will begin on Jan. 20. It will run for four Fridays, from 2 to 5 p.m, and will be held at the Recreation Centre.
Pre-registration for the program is required. Call 403-207-7061 for more information or to register.
Registrations will also be taken at the Mini Energizer night at the Recreation Centre on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
