One location, three events and many opportunities to connect in an intergenerational space over the span of a week. It was nothing short of extraordinary.

At ELLE, 21 young women learned leadership skills through arts and capacity-building activities. They modelled their leadership in a self-organized talent show that demonstrated not only their aptitudes in the performing arts but their capacity for organization, solidarity, vision and spirit for creating a new generation of engaged women!
 

During AMPLIFY, 23 women who run girls programs participated in an intensive popular education-based training session. The inspiring group learned how to be more grounded and informed facilitators, and took home practical tools to continue working in their diverse communities. AMPLIFY has always welcomed English and French-speaking participants from across Canada. This year, an increase in the number of participants who spoke French and the introduction of a Francophone co-facilitator made this bilingual training even more welcoming for all.

The ELLE and Amplify training sessions were followed by a National Retreat for network members. The 2011 Retreat hosted two focused working groups; one huddled around collaborative fundraising and evaluation. Participants are staying in touch through teleconferences and an on-line space. Their goal is to learn about each others' approach to evaluating girls' programs and work towards a common evaluation platform.

The second working group was a safe space for facilitators who identify and work with marginalized girls and youth. After three days of intensive discussion, the group set the design framework for a guide to address the challenges of doing social justice work with marginalized girls and youth.

As the week-long activities were ending, long-time faciliator Nisha Sajnani held a small pumpkin in her hand and asked participants to pass it around and express a message of hope. The pumpkin, she says, is a symbol of the harvest and the many things that can be accomplished through work that is nurtured together.