E.M.P.O.W.E.R.
This program is designed to address the needs of women and young women, ages 12 years and older, in Sudbury and area. Through the provision of group sessions, which contain individual and peer support elements, the capacity for growth, leadership, economic prosperity and self-efficacy is enhanced. Women and young women will receive the tools, resources and support networks to create stability in their lives and, better understand their personal risks factors which could contribute to their incarceration or conflict with the law. In addition, women and youth will also gain leadership experience and transferable skills through direct participation in project activities, sharing their knowledge and experiences as both advisors to the program and as mentors for peers.
E.M.P.O.W.E.R. builds the capacity of marginalized women, youth and aboriginal women and youth in Northern Ontario, who have experienced violence and either are, have been or are at risk of criminalization, to respond and make informed choices to enhance their self-efficiency and economic prosperity. The program will promote growth and leadership, reduce re-offending, contribute towards reducing the rates of violence against criminalized women and youth and, offer a sense of empowerment previously sought unsuccessfully through former lifestyles.
Workshop topics include and are not limited to: anger management, building a positive self image, healthy living, healthy relationships, alcohol and drug: use and abuse, abuse in the family, handling stress, and employment series.
Workshop topics include and are not limited to: anger management, building a positive self image, healthy living, healthy relationships, alcohol and drug: use and abuse, abuse in the family, handling stress, and employment series.
Please see our calendar of events for a list of programs, regular workshops and, one day workshops and special events.
The E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Program will also create community awareness of the risk factor’s that contribute towards women and youth victimization and criminalization with the goal to contribute to reducing the rates of violence against criminalized women and girls in Nothern Ontario. Resource materials will be developed and published from the ‘Voices of Women and Youth’ with lived experience.
Peer Leaders
A major focus of the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. program is the contribution of peer leaders in the development and facilitation of programming. In the development of all of the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. workshops, the topics were selected based on the needs identified by women and youth advisors. Often times participants are not included in the development and evaluation stages of programs, however, we believe that by having our participants as advisors and mentors it allows us to reach optimum growth and leadership as a program. The women and young women that contribute to the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Program make a meaningful difference by being able to provide a united voice for women who have been victimized and criminalized within the community.
During a twelve week training course participants gain insight into topics such as; Diversity and Sexuality, Self Awareness and Self Esteem, Crisis Management and Mental Health. Peer leader training provides participants with the knowledge and tools to be positive and healthy role models to fellow peers.
Peer leaders have opportunities to share their experiences and to provide education and promote awareness. The EMPOWER newsletter is a bi-yearly publication created by empowered women; it is an avenue in which their voices can be heard throughout the community. It will also encourage women to access available programs and services that address the needs of women and young women that have been victimized or criminalized, or those at risk of victimization and criminalization.
Peer leaders have opportunities to share their experiences and to provide education and promote awareness. The EMPOWER newsletter is a bi-yearly publication created by empowered women; it is an avenue in which their voices can be heard throughout the community. It will also encourage women to access available programs and services that address the needs of women and young women that have been victimized or criminalized, or those at risk of victimization and criminalization.
The EMPOWER Newsletter
Get involved and deliver your message! – Women and young women interested in contributing artwork, articles, poetry, quotes, stories or pictures to the newsletter and/or becoming a peer leader contact the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Program.
This project has been funded by the Status of Women Canada