impact of our program
GP Research Results
Research has confirmed that participants do leave our program with increased confidence and self-awareness. Participants feel safe to express themselves and in turn achieve the goals they set out. 100% of participants achieve their goals in our programming.
Participate leave our program with:
- increased strength and flexibility
- new gymnastics skills
- increased rhythm and cultural dance movements
- increased body awareness
- a deeper understanding of their feelings
- how to verbally express themselves
- how to think critically
- healthier eating choices
- loving their Blackness deeper
Partnered research w/ Students COMMISSION of Canada
Results demonstrates that youth express very positive and enriching experiences in the Girl Power’d program. Girl Power’d offers young Black girls a safe space to connect, grow, and express themselves. The results illustrate that members feel empowered, self-confident, and strong. The safe space allows girls to express themselves through dance and movement, empowering them to use their voices and be their authentic selves. The program also acts as a therapeutic outlet for youth, allowing them to connect with themselves and be more mindful of their emotions.
Spaces like these are crucial for youth, as they foster self-growth, confidence, identity, and connection. It is evident that the program is enriching and empowering for young Black girls and bears many positive outcomes for their development. It is crucial for youth to be in a safe and positive environment where they can flourish and become their best selves.
Girl Power’d is continuing to meet their goal of building self-esteem and self-love within the Black community.
partnered research w/ mlse FOUNDATION
23 Self-identifying Black girls between the ages of 7 and 14 completed the Girl Power’d post-program survey. This program creates a safe space for Black girls to improve their gymnastics skills, develop confidence and increase their emotional intelligence. Each participant feels they have gotten physically stronger, more flexible and more skilled in gymnastics. 93% of participants feel more in tune with their emotions. 66% of the girls feel more comfortable about their bodies. Participants in the program scored strongly in Physical Literacy, which is an indicator of confidence in and motivation towards physical activity.
After completing this program, 94% of participants feel more capable of noticing their emotions. They have improved in distinguishing feelings of happiness, sadness, nervousness and joy within themselves. 67% of participants feel that they are more able to identify how those emotions affect their bodies.
When asked how comfortable they are in their body, 87% of the participants would rate their body a “seven” or above on a 10-point scale, which compares favourably to a recent British study where 66% of children feel negatively about their body image (Coffey, 2021). In Girl Power’d, 66% of participants indicated that they feel more comfortable about their bodies since joining the program. When asked if they would change anything about their bodies, 66% said no. Of those that said yes, there were three repeating attributes: Hair, weight and body shape.