Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador

Women’s Empowerment Group: St. John’s Status of Women Council and Women’s Center

Project Start/End Dates: February 9, 2009 – April 6, 2009

Initial Project Description: The St. John’s Status of Women Council and Women’s Center developed the Women’s Empowerment Group as a means to provide counseling and literacy resources to help women handle complex issues. The aim is to help women achieve their goals of independence, financial stability, employment and life long learning. Participants will:

  • Share their stories, examine underlying social issues, and reflect on the sessions through personal journal writing
  • Utilize various guides and resources to examine a number of issues such as family law, childcare, violence, interpersonal communication, stress management and healthy/unhealthy relationships
  • Use various reading materials to reflect on personal experiences

Goals of this program include:

Participant

  • Learning a number of coping strategies to help with life changing decisions and experiences
  • Developing writing skills through daily therapeutic journal writing
  • Developing learning and literacy skills through the use of resource guides and booklets
  • Becoming informed and motivated to pursue other learning opportunities offered through the community
  • Connecting to other community groups and support structures

Organization

  • Developing new partnerships with other groups that support learning and empowering resources
  • Increasing awareness about learning programs and services offered by community agencies and groups

Project Outcomes: The program was held over an eight-week period, with eight to ten women in attendance. Many participants commented that their writing skills had improved through journal writing and that the practice was therapeutic and enjoyable. One participant noted that journal writing had “brought more reflection and clarity into group discussions and literary resources”. Materials, conversations and discussions proved to be very helpful, as voiced by the instructors. Participants also identified that at the close of the project they were more aware of the services and support that are available to them through other community organizations.

Developed and hosted by NALD in collaboration with Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills.