SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - As of last Tuesday, girls in Yellowknife have a new clubhouse, a place to hang out and build self-esteem and leadership skills.

Jennifer Pawluk: Is the co-ordinator of the YWCA's new Girlspace program, open to girls ages 8 to 17.

The program is free and runs three nights a week from 4 to 6 p.m. at Rockhill Apartments on 54 Avenue.

It features three age groups; junior girls, ages 8 to 10, who meet Tuesdays; intermediate girls, ages 11 to 13, who meet Wednesdays; and senior girls, ages 14 to 17, who meet Thursdays.

Jennifer Pawluk coordinator of the YWCA Girlspace program helped adapt the program for Yellowknife because, "there is just a need for girl-oriented programming."

Girlspace is currently running at about 20 YWCAs across the country.

"The point of the program is to have an open, safe space for anyone to come to discuss and listen," said Pawluk.

"To make them feel they are not going to be judged."

According to Pawluk, the program is curriculum based and focuses on learning through activities. It aims to provide examples of some realistic situations young women may find themselves in to help them build positive strategies and life skills.

Initially, the group will be taking stock of topics the girls express interest in so the program can be adapted to their needs.

Currently, there are a few girls enrolled in the program and Pawluk said she expects enrolment to pick up in the next few weeks.

Information has been provided to local schools, which have been "very supportive," said Pawluk.

One event currently in the works is the Power of Being a Girl conference, which is an annual YWCA event hosted in various communities across Canada. Community visits are also planned to get the girls and the program involved with the community to foster positive connections, according to Pawluk.

The $50,000 funding for Yellowknife's Girlspace program has been provided through Department of Health and Social Services through an agreement with the YWCA.

The money has been earmarked for preventative measures against violence involving youth, in keeping with Phase II of the Family Violence Action Plan.

The plan was completed in 2003 and a response to the issue of family violence.

Phase II of the plan is focused on changing the lives of people in the NWT affected by family violence through programming.