Mindful Moments
Mindful Moments teaches families simple, practical strategies to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being.
By practicing mindfulness, families can strengthen their connections and resilience.
This free, eight-week program teaches kids (ages 8 to 12) how and when to use social-emotional skills to cope when challenging situations arise.
By learning strategies to manage stressful situations more effectively, participants build stronger family relationships. Each week, participants are provided with new strategies and scenarios. Concepts are explored through group discussions, crafts, online resources and mindfulness practices.
The program teaches children:
Age appropriate mindfulness
Emotional regulation
Mind-body connection
Identifying feelings
Kindness and gratitude
New strategies each week to implement into their daily routine.
These skills help children to:
Respond
to stress
Connect thoughts, feelings, and actions
Nurture compassion
and empathy
Accept difficult emotions
Resolve conflict
Develop
stronger bonds
Information about weekly topics and strategies is sent home via email.
Parents and children are encouraged to engage in emotional monitoring and coping practice between sessions. The goal of bringing mindfulness to parenting is to respond thoughtfully to your child’s behaviour or actions versus simply reacting.
Mindful Moments is currently partnering with various Calgary schools for after-school sessions and offering programs at our YWCA Hub location (1715 17 Ave SE) year-round. If you would like to bring Mindful Moments to your learning environment, feel free to contact us at 403-750-2500 or at mindfulmoments@ywcalgary.ca.
“Our child’s language development was way ahead of the game thanks to the program. And some of the books we received at the end are his favourites to read. We countinue to use and implement our learnings on a daily basis.”
YWCA Early Talks Participant
“I was able to create a debt management and savings plan and also participated in the Employment Readiness program. After a couple of months I was able to secure employment. As my savings grew and my financial confidence increased I became highly motivated to continue to improve my financial situation. For the first time in my life I was able to make ends meet, had savings, was able to visit family who live out of town and was able to buy my grandchildren gifts for the holidays, all while maintaining stable housing. I never imagined I would feel so confident about my financial situation and the future, until coming to YWCA.”
YWCA Economic Prosperity Participant
"Every time I left a session it was like something lifted – I was freer. Now I'm at a place where I'm so excited to share and help others. I feel more empowered and free. If I can do it, I feel like anybody can do it. I want others to know that I was stuck, and believed that was all my life could be, but I was able to get out of that stuck place. It's just the best thing in the entire world! At YWCA, it felt like everyone knew me, I felt loved there. I wouldn't have been able to leave without the support I received at the YWCA Calgary."
YWCA Housing Participant
“After several attempts to leave an abusive relationship, including one that landed me in the hospital I was referred to YWCA to start counselling. I knew I needed help. YWCA change my life, I started to think differently, the group was a good support and it was a learning experience too. Thank you for saving my life and teaching me how to save myself.”
YWCA Counselling Participant
“Our child’s language development was way ahead of the game thanks to the program. And some of the books we received at the end are his favourites to read. We countinue to use and implement our learnings on a daily basis.”
YWCA Early Talks Participant
“I was able to create a debt management and savings plan and also participated in the Employment Readiness program. After a couple of months I was able to secure employment. As my savings grew and my financial confidence increased I became highly motivated to continue to improve my financial situation. For the first time in my life I was able to make ends meet, had savings, was able to visit family who live out of town and was able to buy my grandchildren gifts for the holidays, all while maintaining stable housing. I never imagined I would feel so confident about my financial situation and the future, until coming to YWCA.”
YWCA Economic Prosperity Participant
"Every time I left a session it was like something lifted – I was freer. Now I'm at a place where I'm so excited to share and help others. I feel more empowered and free. If I can do it, I feel like anybody can do it. I want others to know that I was stuck, and believed that was all my life could be, but I was able to get out of that stuck place. It's just the best thing in the entire world! At YWCA, it felt like everyone knew me, I felt loved there. I wouldn't have been able to leave without the support I received at the YWCA Calgary."
YWCA Housing Participant
“After several attempts to leave an abusive relationship, including one that landed me in the hospital I was referred to YWCA to start counselling. I knew I needed help. YWCA change my life, I started to think differently, the group was a good support and it was a learning experience too. Thank you for saving my life and teaching me how to save myself.”
YWCA Counselling Participant
“Our child’s language development was way ahead of the game thanks to the program. And some of the books we received at the end are his favourites to read. We countinue to use and implement our learnings on a daily basis.”
YWCA Early Talks Participant
“I was able to create a debt management and savings plan and also participated in the Employment Readiness program. After a couple of months I was able to secure employment. As my savings grew and my financial confidence increased I became highly motivated to continue to improve my financial situation. For the first time in my life I was able to make ends meet, had savings, was able to visit family who live out of town and was able to buy my grandchildren gifts for the holidays, all while maintaining stable housing. I never imagined I would feel so confident about my financial situation and the future, until coming to YWCA.”
YWCA Economic Prosperity Participant
"Every time I left a session it was like something lifted – I was freer. Now I'm at a place where I'm so excited to share and help others. I feel more empowered and free. If I can do it, I feel like anybody can do it. I want others to know that I was stuck, and believed that was all my life could be, but I was able to get out of that stuck place. It's just the best thing in the entire world! At YWCA, it felt like everyone knew me, I felt loved there. I wouldn't have been able to leave without the support I received at the YWCA Calgary."
YWCA Housing Participant
“After several attempts to leave an abusive relationship, including one that landed me in the hospital I was referred to YWCA to start counselling. I knew I needed help. YWCA change my life, I started to think differently, the group was a good support and it was a learning experience too. Thank you for saving my life and teaching me how to save myself.”
YWCA Counselling Participant
Day Camps
We offer a day programs on a week- to-week basis during July and August for children ages 8 to 12. This fun and engaging program focuses on building connections and learning emotional regulation skills. It provides a mix of crafts, outdoor activities, off-site adventures, and snacks, all designed to help participants connect with others while developing important skills for managing emotions.
