Support for young girls in Halifax

Girls United is a community-based prevention program for young women ages 12-15 years old, who may have been exposed to

  • Sexual exploitation
  • Conflict between home and school life
  • Lack of adult role models
  • Parental criminality
  • Sexism
  • Alcohol or drug use
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Law enforcement
  • Friends involved in criminal activity

We believe a combination of approaches offers the best hope to effectively increase a girl’s resiliency and by extension improve her ability to cope with environmental risks that may be beyond her ability to mitigate.

Girls United is peer centered, and peer led with a focus on building strong positive relationships. The goal of the program is to educate, engage and raise awareness about the supports, services available to young women.  Girls United supports young women in cultivating resiliency skills to form cross community relationships and support systems. 

How Girls United Works

Between the months of May -October Girls United will form a cohort of young women. The cohort aims to operate in different communities in Halifax. The learnings will include social components as well as, experiential learning modules specifically tailored for girls who are exposed to many risk factors. During the months of November through to March, Girls United will collaborate with various community organizations to deliver the modules.

 

Girls United Modules will be delivered using a variety of methods: including outdoor adventure-based pursuits, field trips, guest speakers, recreation sport, health and wellness-based activities.

How do I refer a youth?

  • Fill out an online referral application online and a member of the Youth Advocate Program will contact you.
  • Complete and submit the referral form from the Youth Advocate Program Office at the Lakeside.
  • Contact the Contact the Youth Advocate Program
    Program Assistant, Youth Advocate Program
    902.817.7530
    youthadvocateprogram@halifax.ca
    Powerhouse Youth Centre
    1606 Bell Road, Halifax.
  • A referral does not guarantee acceptance to the program.

All information will be kept confidential.

Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*)

Personal Identification of Referred Youth
Address of Referred Youth:
Referring Individual or Agency
The parent / legal guardian has given consent to refer youth to the Girls United Program? *
Address of parent if different from above
Reason for referral
Minimum Requirements *
In addition to meeting the age requirement and living in or near our service areas, the youth must meet two (2) or more of the minimum requirements for a referral to the Youth Advocate Program. Referral does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Please select applicable box and provide some details about the risk factors that you've identified and are most concerned about by describing incidents or situations involving the youth where the risk factors were in evidence.