PhotoVoice is a free two-part seminar for young women aged 15-26

Prince George, BC – A community-based project aims to provide a snapshot of some of the barriers, and opportunities, to success faced by young women living in Prince George, Burns Lake, and Mackenzie.

Locally, the project, called "Setting the Stage for Girls and Young Women to Succeed", is being run through the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society, but is a partnership involving eight community groups that work with young women between the ages of 15 and 26.

Project Coordinator, Tonianne Mynen, says phase one of the project involves free seminars that are open to all young women in the city in that age category – regardless of education level, ethnicity, background, or whether they working or not.  "And the PhotoVoice concept is about taking pictures of what your community means to you and some of the barriers and opportunities for becoming involved in the community."

Mynen says, "Girls and women of all ages are very much under-represented in our community and in our political system nationally, and in the workforce – they tend to have lower paying jobs or work minimum wage jobs."

"And, so, it’s about figuring out what some of the barriers to success are and about addressing those barriers and finding ways to build experience, build self-confidence, and build those leadership skills that young women need to become successful in their lives."

The photos taken as part of this month’s seminars will be put on public display in late August, and, then, Mynen says, the project will move into phase two – beginning a community dialogue with local leaders, stakeholders and other interested parties on some of the issues reflected in those images.

Mynen is hopeful the project will give young women a voice – a platform – to share what they feel is important, but, more than that, that it will give them the skills they need to get involved.  "As well as increasing the awareness in the community about why girls are not participating and making the community stronger by increasing their participation."

The first two-part seminar begins this afternoon, the second starts on Thursday.  Young women can register at the Bob Harkins Branch of the public library, Carrier Sekani Family Services or the IMSS office.  For more information, call 250-562-2900 or go to www.facebook.com/SettingTheStage.pg