Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing need to equip and empower girls to stand up to the pressures they face each day.  Aware of both this pressing need and the exciting opportunity to make a difference, Pregnancy Care Centre staff began to look at various options.  In 2002, after finding no program designed to address the unique issues facing Christian girls, Jill Kulhawy, Director of Community Education at the Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre, set off to create one.   

A few months later, with the help of co-creators Geri Fitch (MA, MEd, Chartered Psychologist) and Lynette Stokhuyzen (BKin); co-facilitators Keri Saskiw (BKin, BN), Jana Cate Hart (BPsych), and Arlis Gillies (BPsych); and 30 enthusiastic girls, a first draft of the Gammagirls program was designed and piloted.  

The program was greeted with much enthusiasm, and since that first pilot project, the Gammagirls’ program has continued to empower both teenage participants and adult facilitators across North America. Since that time, over 1,000 Mentors have been trained and over 2,500 girls have completed the program.  There are programs running from Victoria to Moncton, and in several locations in the U.S.  

Gammagirls Now

In the years that followed the original project, the program underwent several revisions and an extensive editing process, and was reviewed and highly commended by several youth and family ministries in Canada and the U.S.   In 2005, in an effort to further facilitate growth and program expansion, the Gamma Leadership Training Association was developed.  

Canadian Wide

Gammagirls now has regular training sessions in Calgary, Alberta; Kelowna, British Columbia; and select cities in Ontario.  Gammagirls groups are currently being run in Centres from British Columbia to New Brunswick. 

The United States

Gammagirls is currently being run in various American states.  The first training—an exciting development for the program—was held in Michigan in August 2006.  We look forward to continual expansion throughout the U.S. 

The Difference

In response to the persistent and widespread degradation of women in our media and culture, Gammagirls seeks to not only remind girls of their value and unique purpose but to equip them with the skills needed to fight back.  Our hope is that Gammagirls will remain strong throughout their teen years—and for the rest of their lives. 

The Future

With the recent expansion into the United States, Gammagirls is well on its way to helping young girls across North America gain the tools that will enable them to navigate through their teen and adult years with success.  There is still a long way to go, however, as the GLTA continues to receive requests for additional girls’ programs as well as one for boys. 

Development continues: girls, families, and facilitators are being transformed as they see that despite the complexities of their culture, they are amazing people who have not only God-given tools and gifts, but the support of others.  We are excited by the opportunities we have been given thus far, and we anticipate the opportunity to provide even more young men and women with this life-changing opportunity.