From Lego towers and stress balls to leadership circles and book club debates, March and April programming focused on what Girls Inc. does best —building. Whether it was bridges strong enough to hold seven books during STEM Fridays, or confidence strong enough to spark leadership through Girls With Grit, over 1,100 girls were reached through our programs, workshops, and kits.

March set the tone with empowering highlights like our Mini Gala and STEM exploration, while April expanded the impact with new school partnerships, the return of our Book Club, and the launch of our Spring program lineup.

As we move into May, spring is in full swing—and so is the season of learning, leadership, and community connection. From climate readiness to menstrual health education, we’re just getting started. Don’t miss the exciting events ahead as we continue to empower girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

Message from the Interim Executive Director

As we reflect on a month full of momentum, one thing is clear—our work continues to grow because of the unwavering support from our community. Over the last two months we reached 1121 participants through hands-on programs that encouraged girls to explore their strengths, embrace new challenges, and connect with one another in meaningful ways. From economic literacy and online safety to creative mentoring activities and empowering leadership sessions, the impact was both broad and deep.

Looking ahead, we’re entering one of our most exciting seasons yet Registration is now open for a full lineup of free spring workshops. We’re also gearing up for Girls Night Out with the the Fort McMurray Giants, our summer program launch, and signature events like Rhythm & Recall and our annual Golf Tournament. We’re also looking for volunteers to support our Casino Fundraiser on June 8 & 9— a vital event that directly funds the life-changing programs we offer throughout the year. If you’re 18+ and looking to make a difference, we’d love to have you join us. There are various time slots available!

Every program, every event, and every connection we make with our girls helps create a community where they are safe, seen, and celebrated. Thank you for being a part of this movement.

In solidarity,

Our Champions 

Highlights/Upcoming Events

Summer Programming will open on June 2nd, 2025
Set your alarms and keep an eye on our social media for a reminder!

Thank You, Surmont Team! 50/50 Draw Success On April 11th and 25th, members of the Girls Inc. team had the exciting opportunity to visit the Surmont Site to sell tickets for our 50/50 draw. Thanks to the incredible generosity and support of the Surmont team at ConocoPhillips, we raised an amazing $1,828.50!
Every ticket purchased helps Girls Inc. continue delivering life-changing programs and experiences for girls in our community. Fundraisers like this allow us to reach more girls, build their confidence, and inspire them to be strong, smart, and bold.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Surmont who participated, and a special shoutout to the ConocoPhillips Surmont team for welcoming us and supporting our mission. Your contribution truly makes a difference!

Period Education Project (PEP) Workshop
Ages 8+ | Monday, May 12 | 5:00–6:30 PM
Virtual (Zoom)
Led by trained medical students, this virtual workshop focuses on menstrual health as part of overall well-being. Girls will explore reproductive anatomy, cycle basics, product use, and ways to reduce stigma — all in a safe, empowering space.

Register here.

Period Kits included with registration!

Climate Readiness Workshop
Ages 9–15 | Friday, May 16 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
In partnership with Alberta Wildfire Information Officers, this interactive workshop helps girls explore wildfire safety, emergency preparedness, and stress management through hands-on STEM activities and group discussions.

Register here.

Women of Inspiration 2025–2026:
First Nomination Deadline May 30, 2025

The search is on for our next incredible Women of Inspiration! For the 2025–2026 series, Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Bouchier are thrilled to explore the theme “Innovators & Pioneers.” This year, we proudly shine a spotlight on local women who are making remarkable contributions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), entrepreneurship, and the creative industries.

We are seeking nominations across five exciting categories:

• Brilliance in STEM – Celebrating a woman who embodies curiosity, intellect, and transformative innovation.
• Innovator in Enterprise – Celebrating a fearless woman who is turning bold visions into thriving ventures.
• Creative Luminary – Celebrating a woman who paves new paths through imagination and artistic expression.
• Renaissance Pioneer – Celebrating a woman whose work bridges science, business, and creativity.
• Rising Star – Celebrating an emerging leader in STEM, entrepreneurship, or the creative arts.

For more information and to access the application form, visit: Women of Inspiration Series. Help us honour the women whose innovation and resilience inspire the next generation of girls to be strong, smart, and bold!

DONATE & GIVE GIRLS

Your Support Helps Girls Build Confidence & Community
Thanks to your generosity, programs at Girls Inc. create safe spaces where girls learn to love themselves, lift each other up, and grow into strong, self-assured leaders.

March & April Programming Recap

In-School Programs:
Over the past two months, Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta delivered 35 in-school programs and 10 Online Safety Workshops across all three school districts, reaching 634 students. Sessions spanned personal wellness, anti-bullying, economic empowerment, storytelling, and leadership development. Indigenous Collaborator Rhonda and Elder Susan Sinclair supported program facilitation, helping ensure inclusive and culturally aware delivery. A total of 1121 participants have participated in school, after-school and workshop style programming.

• Mind + Body engaged over 169 students across multiple schools, including a new high school cohort at Composite, focusing on self-esteem, mental wellness, and healthy decision-making.
  
• Economic Literacy taught budgeting and saving strategies to 130+ students, helping them build essential financial knowledge.
  
• Girls Against Bullying Alliance (GABA) equipped 39 students with skills to stand up to bullying and build supportive peer relationships.
  
• Power of Stories gave 12 students space to explore storytelling and self-reflection.
  
• Lean In Girls empowered 14 junior high students to embrace leadership through goal-setting and personal strength discovery.
  
• Next Chapters launched at Composite High with 14 girls, focusing on decision-making and future readiness.
  
• KidPreneur introduced 11 students to entrepreneurship through creativity and collaboration.
  
• Online Safety Workshops reached 123 students with critical discussions about internet safety, privacy, and digital respect.

Out-of-School Programming: Encouraging Confidence & Growth
Outside the classroom, March and April were packed with engaging, hands-on programming that encouraged growth, self-expression, and community connection.

Lean In Girls (Ages 12–16)
Four girls completed the winter session in March by creating personal vision boards inspired by their life goals and leadership values. The program wrapped with certificates celebrating their growth.

Be Real Be Me (Ages 15–18)
Nine teens participated in this virtual leadership series (in partnership with Plan Canada), focusing on body image, media literacy, and building healthy self-esteem. For many, the Wednesday sessions became a weekly highlight.

Staying Strong Mentoring (Ages 6–8 & 9–15)
Over multiple sessions, younger participants explored friendship, self-love, and creativity through crafts like scratch art, stress balls, and face masks. Older girls participated in a Girls Inc. trivia Jeopardy game, polymer clay crafting, and a self-care day with DIY body scrubs. A wrap-up celebration featured loom bands, music, and team-building games—sparking enthusiasm for the spring session.

Mind + Body (Ages 9–15)
Spring programming launched in April with 16 participants.
The opening session explored holistic health and featured a calming rock painting activity after a group discussion and surveys.

STEM Friday (Ages 6–8)
In March, 18 participants explored the world of architecture by building cardboard forts, recreating monuments with LEGO, and designing bridges strong enough to support seven hardcover books.

Blast Off @ Play on Space
On March 28th, 47 girls took part in a high-energy play session featuring climbing walls, games, and snacks—encouraging confidence through movement and connection.

Girls with Grit Workshop (Ages 8–14)
In partnership with Wood Buffalo Sport Connect, 35 girls spent April 4th learning leadership and self-esteem skills through activities like disc golf and volleyball. The day successfully introduced Girls Inc. to new participants and laid the foundation for future collaborations.

Book Club (Ages 9–14)
On April 24th, eight readers gathered to discuss Unfriended by Rachel Vail—a relatable story about navigating friendship and social media. Activities included themed puzzles, designing wooden bookmarks, and selecting new books to take home, all wrapped in a cozy, empowering evening of connection.

Thanks To Our Partners 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our program partners — RMWB, Government of Canada, Government of Alberta, Syncrude operated by Suncor, TC Energy, Finning Canada, Pembina, TD, BizKids, Canada Post Foundation, Ted Rogers Foundation and Imperial. Your unwavering support is essential to delivering these impactful programs, ensuring our girls are empowered to be strong, smart, and bold.