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Ladies of Rock (LOR) Initiative and ACC Saskatchewan – A new movement to empower women through rock climbing

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Written by: Lucie Levesque – Founder and Director, Ladies of Rock

Dec 4, 2019

Participating in Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) trips can be a powerful thing. For both those leading the trips, as well as those participating in them. This is where the idea came from – an idea, progressing toward reality, to deliver the benefits of rock climbing to women leaving domestic violence.

I founded the Ladies of Rock Initiative after having led ACC Saskatchewan (SK) Section women’s climbing trips. I observed for the first time how rock climbing may be transformational. These women, in this setting, journeyed through uncertainty and fear, determination and exploration, revelation and celebration. Together. I was touched by their vulnerability, impressed by their courage, and elated by their joy. I felt privileged to participate in this intimate discovery and camaraderie. It is in this setting that I myself, a fledgling rock leader, explored my perceived limitations and, in doing so, celebrated the discovery of a strength of mind, body, and ability that was previously unknown to me, opening the door to an exquisite thing – a surprising new future that held promise.

It occurred to me that these experiences could have a powerful effect on women who are leaving domestic violence. Having been raised in an environment with domestic violence, I saw and experienced first-hand how women and their children are affected. I was confident that rock climbing has the potential to help women and their families, by emboldening their sense of identity, community, and promise.

And so, I worked diligently with Saskatoon Interval House to develop a climbing program tailored to women leaving domestic violence. Saskatoon Interval House offers temporary shelter, supportive counseling, referrals, advocacy, outreach, and programs for women and their children, helping them to build healthy, bright futures for themselves and their families, free from ravages of domestic violence. It is through this positive and productive partnership that the Ladies of Rock Program was designed.

The Ladies of Rock Program is an 11-week Gym Conditioning and Rock Experience program that will be offered tuition-free to women leaving domestic violence. The program will be led by local female climbers and qualified rock leaders from the ACC SK Section, and will offer tailored rock climbing conditioning and experiences, with the added benefits of counselor support and child care for the participants. The participants will experience climbing in a safe and supportive community environment, designed for their enrichment and empowerment.

In partnering and collaborating, the Ladies of Rock Initiative will be positioned for success in meeting its goal: to empower women through rock climbing. The ACC is key to this success, offering quality alpine experiences, qualified rock leaders, and a mutual vested interest in personal fulfillment in the outdoors. This partnership between the ACC and the Ladies of Rock also affords the beneficiaries of the Initiative (i.e., Saskatoon Interval House, Adelle House and future Ladies of Rock Program participants) the opportunity to benefit from the Program while minimizing strain on their resources.

The Ladies of Rock Initiative is now supported by a committee of 9 women. These women are working to foster community and partnership, built upon the values of exploration, cooperation, respect and integrity. Their goal is to ensure that the Initiative meets its objectives, including successful fundraising for, and delivery of, the 2020 ACC SK Section pilot offering of the Ladies of Rock Program. The Ladies of Rock will only succeed through the continued dedication and enthusiasm of partners and volunteers, and the generosity of progressive, socially-conscious donors that wish to make a notable mark on families and the communities in which they live by supporting this nonprofit work.


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