Stepping Into Summer: April & May at Girls Inc.
April and May brought momentum and growth to Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta, as youth across the region engaged in dynamic programming designed to support their learning, confidence, and well-being.
In classrooms, facilitators delivered Girls Inc. programming across Fort McMurray, Janvier, Fort Chipewyan, and Northlands Online School, offering girls essential lessons on mental wellness, financial literacy, healthy relationships, and online safety.
Our after-school spring programming and specialized workshops were big hits! From creative connections at Staying Strong Mentoring sessions and educational advocacy work with our Girls Leading Change cohort, to a fantastic turnout of 44 youth at Play On Space Day and our collaborative, confidence-boosting Learn to Drive course offered in partnership with Safe Communities Wood Buffalo, participants threw themselves into meaningful, hands-on learning.
As we transition into the summer months ahead, this remarkable wave of engagement continues to reflect our ongoing commitment to creating accessible, cost-free spaces where girls can learn, lead, and thrive!
Message from the Executive Director
April and May were incredible months of momentum for Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta! Across the region our girls have been busy learning, leading, and expanding their horizons.
We saw fantastic participation across all programming – from wrapping up our spring Staying Strong Mentoring session and co-hosting a Learn to Drive workshop with Safe Communities Wood Buffalo, to getting active with 44 youth at Play On Space Day.
And we aren’t slowing down for the summer!
Summer program registration is now open – cost-free as always! Register HERE.
Looking for something fun, inspirational, and meaningful for the sunnier months ahead? We have you covered with a fantastic lineup, including:
- Empowering Summer Camps: Girls on the Go, Power of Stories, Girls Gone STEM, and Creative Voices.
- Scholarship Opportunities: Applications are open for our 2026 Women of Inspiration and Finning Canada STEM Awards.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Become a community champion at our upcoming Legion Bingo fundraisers.
- Family-Friendly Golf Tournament: Join us at the 32nd Annual Golf Tournament Fore Girls Inc., coming this September!
Read below for full details and to register. Thank you for your continued support in helping our girls be Strong, Smart, and Bold!
In solidarity,
Welcome to the Champions Corner! We have updated this section of our monthly newsletter to recognize incredible achievements of our community which fall under the categories of STRONG, SMART & BOLD! We are now accepting submissions – nominate a Champion in the community today!
June’s Champion is Lisa!
We’re proud to celebrate Lisa, a Girls Inc. youth volunteer, on being named the 2026 Valedictorian at Westwood Community High School!
Originally from Ukraine, Lisa faced the challenge of adapting to a completely new environment after arriving in Canada. Through resilience, determination, and hard work, she not only learned a new language but excelled academically and became a leader within her school community.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking and exciting to finally find out that my hard work had paid off. If anything, my journey from knowing no English to becoming Valedictorian shows that being resilient and diligent will always lead to success.”
Lisa’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from perseverance, courage, and believing in yourself. We are so proud to celebrate this incredible milestone and all that she will accomplish in the future.
Highlights
On June 3, we successfully held our 2026 Annual General Meeting.
Welcome to the new board!
Our 2026-2027 Board:
➜ President: Cindy Medeiros-Connors
➜ Vice President: Sydney Burt
➜ Secretary: Stephanie Payne
➜ Treasurer: Harsh Shah
➜ Directors: Trang Do, Fahim Hamidi, Nazia Jeelani, Yvonne Osawaru, Vaishali Rai, Leannah Robertson
Thank You Katlin! 🩷
Please join us in wishing all the best to Katlin as she embarks on her next exciting chapter!
After more than a decade with us, she is moving on to a new opportunity. From her start as a Program Coordinator to her years leading the programs team as our Programs Director, Katlin has been an absolute fixture in our community. 🌟
Whether she was bringing unmatched energy to our sports programs or sharing her passion for reading in our book clubs, her dedication has shaped the lives of countless girls across the region. While we are incredibly sad to see her go, we are deeply grateful for the strong, smart, and bold legacy she leaves behind.
Here’s to your next exciting chapter – wishing you endless success as you continue to show the world just how strong, smart, and bold you are! 🎉
Meet the Team
We’ve been growing, shifting, and stepping into new roles, and we’re excited to reintroduce you to the team making it all happen!❤️
➜ Executive Director: Nanase Tonda
➜ Program Director: Jayna McMillan
➜ Senior Program Coordinator: Robin Porter
➜ Communications and Development Lead: Devon Sereda Goldie
➜ Program Coordinator: Kianna King
➜ Indigenous Program Collaborator: Rhonda Robinson
➜ Administrative Assistants: Stephanie Myrick and Erin Piercey
➜ Program & Community Engagement Assistant: Sundas Shamshad
See all the staff photos here.
Volunteer Call: Sundays in June 📣
Sunday, June 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2026 | Royal Canadian Legion Branch 165
Sign up here
We are looking for community champions to support our upcoming Bingo fundraisers at the Legion! Volunteers only need to be available for one Sunday – not all. 🩷
We are looking for 6–7 volunteers per date who:
✔️ Are 18+
✔️ Fluent in English
✔️ Are comfortable standing/walking for extended periods
✔️ Want to empower and support girls in our community
Every shift filled directly impacts the essential programs and opportunities we provide for youth across the region. If you have a few hours to spare, your time will make a massive difference!
2026 Women of Inspiration Education Awards
Deadline to apply: September 2, 2026
Apply here
Thanks to support from Syncrude, Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta will award three $3,000 scholarships to women in the RMWB pursuing post-secondary education, including college, university, and trade programs.
Since 2013, these awards have helped 36 local women pursue their educational goals and build bright futures. Could you be next?
We’re proud to announce the 2025/2026 Women of Inspiration Education Award recipients! In partnership with Syncrude, Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is celebrating Alisha Rajpura, Hafsah Mohummed, and Kelsea Boostrom, three outstanding young women from the Wood Buffalo region who are pursuing post-secondary education.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients! Your curiosity, determination, and commitment to community are inspiring the next generation of Strong, Smart, and Bold girls.
2026 Finning Canada STEM Awards
Deadline to apply: August 4, 2026
Apply here
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta, in partnership with Finning Canada, is proud to offer two $1,000 scholarships to support young women from the Wood Buffalo region pursuing post-secondary education in STEM fields.
Please note: Applicants who have participated in our Operation SMART program and live in the RMWB will be given priority.
2026/2027 Girls Inc. Brand Ambassador Program
Deadline to apply: June 26, 2026
Apply here
📣 Are you a strong, smart, and bold Girls Inc. high school or university student ready to use your voice to make a difference? Then Girls Inc. wants you to join the Girls Inc. HQ Brand Ambassador Council! You must be/have been a Girls Inc. participant to take part in this opportunity.
Brand Ambassadors gain:
✔️ Hands-on experience in media and public speaking
✔️ Opportunities to engage in national campaigns and events
✔️ Skills in storytelling, branding, and content creation
✔️ Confidence, connections, and résumé-building experience
Commitment: One meeting per month, plus 1–3 hours of project work, with opportunities for travel and virtual engagement.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎉🎓
We are so proud of our graduating seniors: Naiyaa Patel, Kavya Patel, Lisa Tsymbal, Precious Adefami, and Diya Bista! The Girls Inc. Alumnae Association is excited to welcome them into the community and continue supporting them with all their endeavors. Here’s to new beginnings and all the amazing opportunities ahead!
Art in Action 🎨
In early June, we visited Janvier to take part in an exciting community art project led by muralist Jesse Gouchey. Students had the opportunity to help create a beautiful new mural at the entrance to their school gymnasium while exploring a variety of artistic mediums, including spray paint, acrylics, and clay.
Programs like this give young people the opportunity to express their creativity, build confidence, and contribute to something lasting within their community.
Thank you to Artworks by Jesse Gouchey, Miska Creative Society, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and the community of Janvier for making this experience possible and for allowing Girls Inc. to play a small role in bringing it to life. 🩷
This Month
🌈 Happy Pride Season!
Pride Season recognizes the many Pride events and celebrations that take place across Canada from June through September, bringing together 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and allies to celebrate resilience, amplify voices, and recognize the contributions of queer and trans communities. 🩷
At Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta, we believe every girl deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered to be her authentic self. We are proud to foster spaces where girls can build confidence, express themselves openly, and know they belong exactly as they are.
Upcoming Events
Summer Program registration is now OPEN!
Register today
Girls on the Go Camp
July 20-21, 2026 | Ages 5-8: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Ages 9-15: 12:00 – 2:00 PM | SMS Equipment Gymnasium
This 2 day camp empowers participants to learn, lead, and play through a variety of sports and games. Participants will grow stronger, strengthen their confidence, and be themselves while learning to love movement.
Power of Stories Camp
Ages 5-8: July 27-28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
Ages 9-15: July 29-30, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Unifor Hall
This camp shares Indigenous teachings connected to cultures and nations sacred and important to our region. Participants will explore and build understanding through teachings, crafts, and games.
Girls Gone STEM Camp
Ages 5-8: August 10-11, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
Ages 9-15: August 12-13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, FULL | Unifor Hall
This camp explores and empowers participants through various STEM activities and topics such as chemistry, engineering, and architecture.
✨ Please note: the age 9-15 camp is already FULL! Limited space available in the Ages 5-8 session.
Creative Voices Camp
Ages 5-8: August 24-25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
Ages 9-15: August 26-27, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, FULL | Unifor Hall
This camp explores learning & self expression through various art projects. Participants will learn how art can be used to make a difference and practice harnessing their creative visions.
✨ Please note: the age 9-15 camp is already FULL! Limited spaces remain in the age 5-8 session.
32nd Annual Golf Tournament Fore Girls Inc. – Family Friendly
Sunday, September 6, 2026 | Fort McMurray Golf Club
Registration OPEN here
Join us for Safari On The Green – Helping girls find their roar!
Girls Inc. and Imperial are once again bringing a unique, all-ages golf experience to the community! This exciting event welcomes both adults and kids to hit the greens together, all while championing diversity, equity and inclusion! 🐘 Don your best khaki and animal prints! 🦁
From safari-themed challenges to exciting activities along the course, this is more than just a golf tournament! It’s a day to show up, have fun, and support girls in our community. 🐒
Registration Includes:
9 holes of fun golf with a power cart, green fees, complimentary food and welcome drink, swag bag, fun games, prizes, raffles, and more!
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Organizations and individuals wishing to support this year’s golf tournament are encouraged to connect with our team to explore partnership levels and benefits. For more information, contact Devon Sereda Goldie, Communications & Development Lead at communications@girlsincofnorthernalberta.org.
DONATE & GIVE GIRLS
Your Support Makes Her Growth Possible
Because of you, Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta continues to create safe, empowering spaces where girls can explore their interests, build confidence, and challenge stereotypes. Your generosity directly supports programs that introduce girls to new skills, leadership opportunities, and future pathways.
Every donation strengthens our ability to deliver cost-free programming that equips girls with the tools they need to thrive — today and into the future.
April & May Programming Recap
Staying Strong Mentoring (Ages 5-8 and 9-15)
The final mentoring session in April focused on creativity and connection. Girls engaged in hands-on activities, choosing between painting and crafting rainbow loom bracelets, with many eagerly creating pieces both for themselves and as gifts for friends and family.
As the session concluded, participants expressed deep enthusiasm for the program, sharing their excitement and anticipation for when the mentoring sessions resume in the fall.
Girls Leading Change Advocacy Project (Ages 15-18)
Throughout April and May, participants continued work on their personal projects focusing on addressing educational gaps within their community. A major highlight in April included two participants, Nikitha and Aashmeen, meeting with Sandra Hester-Steele from Girls Inc. National Headquarters to showcase their progress and discuss their upcoming travel to the Girls Leading Change Summit in St. Louis this July.
In May, momentum continued as the group welcomed a guest speaker from the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), who gave the girls great advice on how to take their education advocacy even further. These sessions successfully reinforced the participants’ collaborative planning, specialized learning, and preparation for their trip this summer.
Workshops & Events
Play On Space Day (Ages 5–15)
On April 24, Girls Inc. hosted a fun and active Play on Space Day session designed to get girls moving while building teamwork, confidence, and a positive connection to physical activity. The event saw a fantastic turnout, with 44 girls stepping out to explore the vibrant play environment, engage in physical exercise, and build meaningful peer connections across different age groups.
The day was highly celebrated by families, with many parents expressing deep appreciation for Girls Inc. offering this enriching experience as a free community program, while the girls left filled with enthusiasm and sharing stories of how much fun they had.
Learn to Drive Workshop (Ages 14-18)
On May 29, Girls Inc. partnered with Safe Communities Wood Buffalo to host an interactive Learn to Drive (L2D) course. Throughout the day, participants explored real-life driving situations and honed their understanding of licensing regulations, traffic circles, road signage, demerits, and more.
Energy and learning were kept high thanks to pizza for lunch and interactive educational tools, including quizzes, videos, flashcards, practice tests, and hands-on intersection simulations with model cars. Participants left with significantly boosted confidence and a deeper understanding of safe driving practices.
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.
