Children struggle with many challenges as they grow into the preteen and teenage years. It can be a time of great confusion and anxiety leading to increased chances of school drop out, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and unplanned pregnancy. A program developed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nova Scotia, Take It E.A.S.Y., helps girls deal with these difficult transition years by focusing on self-esteem and self-reliance and providing support and resources that enable girls and young women to make better life choices. Tupperware Canada, an avid supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada, has taken a special interest in the program and has provided grants to help launch Take It E.A.S.Y. activities at fifteen Clubs.
 
Among the highlights across Canada:
 
The Hamilton East Club was able to leverage funds from the Tupperware grant to secure funds from the government making it possible for them to expand their program. As a result, 965 young women were able to participate in GIRL TALK, an interactive program that promotes healthy body image and self-esteem.
 
The Brantford Club has seen an increase in violent behavior among its female membership. The Tupperware grant allowed programming to address this growing issue in a proactive way. Results indicate that the program is making an impact.
 
The Delta/Richmond Club used its grant to run a program titled, “Body Image: the Perfect Woman/Man.” The programming provided an ideal venue for young women to discuss how they view themselves and others and to share opinions with the objective of overcoming the body image stereotypes promoted in the media.
 
The Hinton Alberta Club hosted a program that had a profound impact on the girls. A guest speaker from a local women’s shelter spoke about the effects of being in a controlling relationship. The speaker guided the girls through an exercise that revealed their ideas about roles and relationships and that underscored the power that they each have in their relationships.
 
At the Charlotte County Club, 20 young women ages 8-12 were riveted by the presentation made by a young woman who had suffered with anorexia. She gave staggering first-hand details about the effects of the disease on her mind, body, and overall health.
 
What the girls have to say:
 
“I like this group because it’s only for girls. We can just talk about things and not have any boys making fun of us and my brother wasn’t there” Shelby, 11, Boys and Girls Clubs of Okanagan.
 
“Before we started the program, I didn’t have that many friends because everyone thought I was weird, but I am a normal person. I’m just really shy…Now that I have been in the program, I also stick up for myself and don’t feel sad anymore. If someone says something mean to me, I ignore it because I know we all have gifts and talents that make us special and we should focus on those things” Lisa, 11, Boys and Girls Clubs of West Scarborough.
 
“I love the program. I get to hang out with my friends while we learn fun things. I can also take things home to show my parents. I like doing that, it makes me happy” Julie, 9, Boys and Girls Clubs of Lethbridge.