Project: EmpowHER

Organization: YMCA

FIG Fund Grant: $5,000

EmpowHER is a gender-inclusive, consent-based education program focused on building healthy relationships, promoting gender equality, and strengthening community safety. Delivered by the YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador, EmpowHER was developed as an expansion of the YMCA’s evidence-based Be the Program (BTP) in partnership with the Students’ Commission of Canada.

The program created safe spaces for participants to explore topics such as consent, boundaries, gender norms, and healthy versus unhealthy relationship behaviors. Through discussion, reflection, and skill-building, participants strengthened their confidence, critical thinking, and ability to positively influence their peers and communities.

Topics Covered

  • Gender equality, identity, and unconscious bias

  • Healthy vs. unhealthy relationship behaviors

  • Consent, boundaries, and communication

  • Critical thinking and identifying credible information

  • Influencing skills, active listening, and peer leadership

  • Community safety and social responsibility

Outcomes & Impact

EmpowHER successfully met its goals of empowering participants, fostering community, and strengthening knowledge around healthy relationships and gender equality.

Key impacts included:

  • Increased confidence discussing sensitive topics like consent, boundaries, and abuse

  • Improved understanding of healthy vs. unhealthy relationship dynamics

  • Strong peer connection and sense of belonging

  • Participants actively sharing knowledge with peers and planning real-world conversations

  • Youth identifying leadership pathways and interest in helping professions

Participants consistently identified the program as impactful, relevant, and something they wished was more widely available.

Testimonials  

  • “It made me realize some things that I thought were okay are not okay.” 14-year-old participant 
  • “Moving forward, I will be more aware of signs of unhealthy/abusive relationships and spread the knowledge.” – Post-secondary participant 
  • “I plan to apply this info into my daily life so I can have more meaningful conversations with others. I also plan to share the things I learned here with my friends.” – Post-secondary participant 

Community Action & Sustainability

Each cohort completed a community action project to share their learning beyond the group. Projects included school-based awareness campaigns and personal action plans focused on meaningful conversations within participants’ own networks.

The partnership with Waterford Valley High School has led to continued collaboration, with additional YMCA programming planned to support students beyond EmpowHER.

Impact

This program empowered women and gender-diverse youth to build knowledge, confidence, and leadership around healthy relationships and gender equality — creating lasting impact across their communities.