Building Resiliency Through Combat Sports: You Grow Girl Program by Beat the Streets
As a charity dedicated to youth development and sports programs for low-income youth, Beat the Streets is proud to offer You Grow Girl, a fun and unique resiliency-building and combat sports program for girls aged 13-18 across the Greater Toronto Area. Led by professional coaches and athletes, You Grow Girl combines combat-based fitness classes with experiential learning activities to help girls develop the tools and growth mindset they need to successfully navigate adolescence, transition to adulthood, and realize their full potential.
Improving Competencies: Pre & Post Survey Results
“learning new things and feeling more confident about myself, also being able to interact with others a lot more”
We recently conducted a pre & post-survey of 50 girls participating in the program. We are thrilled to report that the results showed statistically significant improvements in key competencies such as goal-setting, stress management, discipline, and the importance of sports in their lives. The best part? These results were achieved after just 8 hours of programming.
Long-Term Impacts for Low-Income Girls
At Beat the Streets, we believe that resiliency-building programs, combined with combat sports, can profoundly impact the lives of low-income girls. Research has shown that girls from low-income families are at a higher risk of experiencing social and emotional difficulties, including lower self-esteem, higher levels of stress, and a lack of opportunities for physical activity. By participating in programs like You Grow Girl, girls can develop important life skills that help them overcome these challenges.
Goal-Setting: Building Confidence in Youth
“The discussions. The discussions were very thoughtful, with very remarkable and effective advice. I have used that advice and discussions in my life.”
By learning to set and achieve goals, girls can build self-confidence and develop a sense of agency over their lives. This can lead to improved academic performance, increased motivation, and a greater sense of purpose. Our program's goal-setting activities encourage girls to identify and work towards achievable targets, leading to a sense of accomplishment and improved self-esteem.
Discipline: Wrestling Programs for Youth
Combat sports require discipline and commitment, which can translate into other areas of life. However, by practicing self-discipline in a safe and supportive environment, girls can learn to manage their time better and prioritize their responsibilities. Through wrestling programs for youth, we help girls develop discipline and self-control, which can lead to improved focus and success in all aspects of their lives.
Stress Management: Healthy Mind and Body Programs
“The teachers were very assisting and will help you if you’re stuck on something. I interacted more with my classmates during the workshop and had fun”
Physical activity is an effective way to manage stress and anxiety. By participating in combat sports, girls can learn to cope with stress healthily and develop strategies for managing difficult emotions. Our healthy mind and body programs offer girls a safe and supportive environment to learn stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises and meditation.
Building a Positive Relationship with Sports:
“Would 10/10 do again”
Regular participation in sports has numerous positive impacts on physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. It can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes while also promoting healthy bone and muscle development. Additionally, sports participation has been linked to improved mental health outcomes, including reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improved self-esteem and self-confidence. Research has also shown that sports participation can positively impact academic achievement and career success by developing important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management. Providing low-income girls with access to sports programs like You Grow Girl, Beat the Streets promotes physical activity, healthy living, and the development of important life skills.
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If you want to learn more about our youth development programs or support our work, follow us on social media. Together, we can help empower our communities' next generation of confident and resilient girls.
Thank you Jumpstart!
We would like to extend a special thank you to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for their continued support. Jumpstart is a national charity committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. With an extensive national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation, and equipment. It provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by Canadian Tire Corporation, Jumpstart has provided more than 2.7 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. We are grateful for their partnership in helping us create a brighter future for low-income youth in the GTA.
About Beat the Streets:
At Beat the Streets, our mission is to advance the education of low-income children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area through fun and unique sports, life skills, and employment-based development programs. Since 2015, we have served over 28,000 young individuals through our Wrestle 4 Fun, Level Up, You Grow Girl, Work It (Summer Jobs), and Volunteer programs, providing them opportunities to develop their physical, mental, and social well-being. We believe in empowering the next generation by breaking down barriers and creating pathways to success.
Join us in our mission to impact youth:
Join us in making a difference by supporting our cause and learning more about how you can contribute to the education and growth of children and youth in need. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all.
