Confidence
Believing in herself and feeling good about who she is.
Girls With Purpose
A non-profit program in Châteauguay that builds confidence in girls aged 7 to 10, one week at a time.
About us
Every girl has a purpose
Girls With Purpose is a non-profit that empowers young girls and builds their confidence. We bring girls aged 7 to 10 together once a week to create, move, talk and cheer each other on.
We believe confidence is built by doing. So every week the girls try something new, speak up in front of the group, and leave knowing a little more about who they are and what they can do.
7–10Years old
8–10Weeks a session
4Sessions completed
2025Started in July
The 6 C’s we build
Everything we do each week comes back to six things we want every girl to leave with.
Competence
Learning real skills, from cooking and crafts to speaking in front of a group.
Connection
Building true friendships and feeling that she belongs.
Character
Knowing right from wrong and standing by her values.
Caring
Showing kindness and empathy to the people around her.
Contribution
Giving back to her family, her friends and her community.
The 6 C’s come from the Positive Youth Development model created by Dr. Richard Lerner and Dr. Jacqueline Lerner.
How it works
Once a week
Sign up for a session
Each session runs 8 to 10 weeks. Fill in the form and send the $70 registration by e-transfer.
Attend the info session
Before the first week, parents and guardians come to a 30 to 45 minute info session to meet the team and see the centre where the sessions are held.
Meet once a week
The girls meet on one set day each week at 259 Boul. D’Anjou in Châteauguay.
Celebrate together
Every session ends with a celebration where the girls share what they made and learned.
Our supporter
Made possible by MWCN
Girls With Purpose is an initiative supported by the Montérégie West Community Network (MWCN). Their support is the reason we were able to launch, and we are grateful to have them behind us.
Their mission
- Bring together individuals, community groups, public organizations, professionals, and businesses.
- Encourage and provide lifelong learning for individuals of all ages.
- Provide information and resources to advance improved access to health and social services for all.
Since July 2025
Previous Sessions
Who we are
The women behind it
Founder
Ashanika Hines
Ashanika founded Girls With Purpose to give young girls a place where they feel seen, heard and capable. She is a nursing student at McGill University and has spent three years in classrooms as a substitute teacher, so she knows how much a little encouragement can change a child’s week.
- McGill nursing student
- 3 years as a substitute teacher
Co-director
Ashley Smith
Ashley co-directs Girls With Purpose with Ashanika. She helps plan each session and looks after the administrative side.
Volunteer
Khaliah McIntosh
She currently attends Vanier College and studies special education techniques. She has a background in therapeutic activities, intervention planning, psycho-education and creating adaptations to environments, and she has staged and worked in different special needs schools over the years. She is very passionate about helping kids reach their full potential, feel confident in their skills, and allowing them the space to grow independently through activities!
Register
Save her spot
Fill in the form, then send the registration fee by Interac e-transfer. Her spot is confirmed once both are received.
$70per session
Send your Interac e-transfer to:
mwcn2016@gmail.com
Please write your girl’s full name in the e-transfer message.
- Fill in the registration form.
- E-transfer $70 to the address above.
- We email you to confirm her spot and the start date.
Locked
Registration closed
Registration is closed for now. It unlocks before the next session starts.
Email us about the next sessionForm received
Thank you! One last step: send the $70 Interac e-transfer to confirm her spot.
mwcn2016@gmail.comWrite your girl’s full name in the message. We’ll email you to confirm.
Good to know
Questions parents ask
Who is Girls With Purpose for?
Girls aged 7 to 10. No experience needed, just come as you are.
Where do you meet?
259 Boul. D’Anjou, Châteauguay, QC J6J 2R4. Open in Google Maps.
How long is a session?
Each session runs 8 to 10 weeks, and the girls meet once a week on a set day. We’ll confirm the day and time by email when you register.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Registration is $70 per session, paid by Interac e-transfer to mwcn2016@gmail.com. Please write your girl’s name in the message.
Will photos of my girl be posted?
Only if you say yes on the registration form. You choose, and you can change your mind at any time by emailing us.
What do the girls do each week?
A mix of crafts, cooking, games, movement and group talks about friendship, kindness and confidence. Take a look at our previous sessions.
For GWP families
Share your feedback
Parents, guardians and girls who have taken part in a session can tell us how it went. Feedback is anonymous: we never ask for your name.
Once enough families have written in, feedback is shared on this page as coming from verified GWP parents and participants.
Thank you
Your feedback was sent anonymously to the Girls With Purpose team.
@girlswithpurposee
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