​good news stories

DIRT DIVASScience

​Dirt Divas is a girls-only after-school program in the Annapolis Valley focusing on physical activity. The 10-week program aims to get girls in grade 7 and 8 active while showing them strong female role models. Dirt Divas is primarily a mountain-biking program, but also has a videography and photography component. Girls are not required to have experience or be athletic, but have an interest in the following; riding a bike, creating videos, photo journalism, outdoor adventure, and healthy living. 

Sisters of Science​ of Science

The Sisters of Science is a community First Lego League (FLL) team in the Annapolis Valley. FLL is a co-curricular activity where adult coaches guide teams of youth through the challenge of researching a real-world problem and developing a solution. Led by Michelin Employees Crista MacNeil and Sara Chisholm , the girls aged 9-12 have been working together for two years. SOS focuses on team work, and helps develop the independence and confidence necessary for robotics competitions. SOS have learned to apply science, technology, engineering, math concepts, and their imagination to solve problems.

​BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

​Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Annapolis Valley serves children and youth from Annapolis Royal to Mount Uniacke, and all surrounding areas including West Hants, Kings, and Annapolis County. BBBS is Canada’s largest child and youth mentoring charity, in which ‘bigs’ (adults over 18) spend an hour a week with their ‘little’ (a child or youth under 18). BBBS match a big and a little with similar interests and the big aims to empower their little to reach their fullest potential. 

​VALLEY YOUTH PROJECT Drop in

​The Valley Youth Project (VYP) is a satellite group of the Youth Project out of Halifax, and is a support group for LGBT youth and youth struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity. Drop-in is a sober safer space open to youth in the LGBTQ community (and their allies). They operate out of the LMCC in New Minas from 6.30 until 8.30 on the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you’d like to come, but don’t have a ride, you can check out the  transportation page on their website–you can get to the drop-in and back home again, for FREE!

girls  conference

 Each year a provincial conference held at Mount Saint Vincent University aims to help this generation of Nova Scotian girls develop, appreciate and celebrate their own abilities and talents and those of other girls and women. The conference also helps girls to empower themselves, build confidence, and be a positive influence in their communities.

CaMP COURAGE

The First Responders Society is an incorporated non-profit company established by firefighter, Andréa Speranza, in January 2006, Every two years they run a camp for the purpose of introducing young women aged 15- 19 to careers as first responders primarily paramedics, police officers, and firefighters. The ultimate goal is that the young women will leave with a sense of empowerment and the confidence to believe that they can achieve any goal, career or dream they desire.