An event promoting self-acceptance, compassion and positive body image among young girls will back in Mattice this year.
Called Programme d'épanouissement personel du Nord-Est de l'Ontario, it was created by Andréane Blais, 23, in October 2016.
“When I was young, I had low self-esteem myself and I was struggling and I wanted to give back to the girls in my community as well as to have art-based activities,” she said. “Because growing up in Mattice, we didn’t have anything related to art. For me, it was very important that the girls had a chance to do art stuff.”
Formerly called Mattice Mlle & Miss Carnaval Pageant, the event will be run in French for girls aged nine to 15.
Blais founded the program as part of her studies as a social worker at Laurentian University. In the first year, there were not enough participants but in 2018, 13 girls signed up for the program. With half of them returning the following year, the event welcomed 32 participants in February 2019.
This year, out of 24 spots available, 20 girls from communities like Hearst, Timmins, Mattice, Cochrane and Kapuskasing registered for the three-day program.
"All I want for them is to have a great time and a great experience. So, them coming back is like I did my job right," Blais said.
The event will be held from Sept. 5 to 7 at the community hall at the Mattice Sports Complex. Participants will be split into two groups, so activities are more “age-appropriate,” Blais explained.
Girls will be engaged in art-based activities and workshops such as painting, crafts, dancing and public speaking. There will also be a self-defense workshop.
“All of my workshops are mostly to have discussions with the girls, so they’ll have to do a lot of critical thinking about different subjects. So, we discuss and reflect on certain things,” Blais said.
The event will conclude with an award ceremony but the number of the girls' family members will be limited to ensure physical distancing.
Before the event kicks off in September, participants will have to do a “good action” in their community and they will have to present that activity in an artistic way. Girls can also do fundraisers with all raised funds going towards the Sudbury-based Northern Cancer Foundation.
Last year, the event raised $4,821 for the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer.
“With COVID, the girls are restricted in what they can do in the community but some girls have done amazing things that I wouldn’t have imagined so far,” Blais said.
She said people were mind-blown with the amount of money the girls were able to raise for a charity last year.
“When I started this project, I was 19 years old. A lot of people were not taking me seriously because of my age. Something that I’m trying (to do) with my event is to show that no matter what age you are, you can do anything."
"That’s my project for girls to get involved so they get out there and say, ‘Maybe, I’m nine years old but I can make a difference.’”
