The Rotary Club of North Muskoka and Huntsville have donated $5,600 to the YWCA Muskoka in support of their youth programs.
According to officials, The Rotary Club of North Muskoka has donated $3,600 to fund the Girlz Unplugged program in Huntsville, while the Rotary Club of Huntsville has donated $2,000 to support other youth programs at the YWCA.
Amy Jones, Director of Youth Services for YWCA Muskoka, says the programs have been running for over two decades, adding they were created to meet the unique needs of rural youth in the Muskoka area.
“These programs help youth in grades 5-10 explore healthy relationships, self-care, body image, gender stereotypes, navigating being online safely – all through crafts, play, discussions, laughter and fun,” says Jones.
Jones says the programs also help the YWCA’s broader goal to prevent gender-based violence in the community.
“Reaching youth early, during their most formative years, and helping them explore what a healthy relationship looks like – and doesn’t look like – is beneficial for them now as they navigate peer relationships but are also skills they carry with them into the future as they become adults,” says Jones.
Andrew Zanier, President of the Rotary Club of North Muskoka, says supporting the YWCA Girlz Unplugged program aligns perfectly with their mission to make a meaningful impact for youth in Huntsville.
“We are proud to contribute to a program that inspires young women to reach their full potential, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to find their own voice,” says Zanier.
Robert Saunders, a member of the Rotary Club of Huntsville, says they have “happily supported” the YWCA’s Girlz Unplugged program for years.
“Their leadership in the empowerment of young teens to help them develop confidence and self-esteem is a very important investment in the overall health of our community,” says Saunders.
