#NextLevel | Page 9

However, when it comes to action; the number of young female students that I see involved in extracurricular activities is shrinking. The Boys and Girls Club of Dawson Community Centre provides various options for youth to establish and implement change in the community. When attending the youth programs and looking at the genders of the regular attendees, the majority are male. For example, the centre has a youth council, which is a group of youth aged fifteen to twenty-two working together to create an action for change for our neighborhood. There are twelve members in the youth council, three females and nine males. If the programs that are currently being offered in our community do not appeal to young women, we need to develop new programs. In order to develop programs that will interest them, we need to understand what they like. Constant female participation is crucial in order to achieve advancements within all communities. So, young ladies, get involved and make a change in your community, people are waiting. 8