The HERA program is a holistic, preventative program targeting girls between the ages of 11 to 16 who are at risk of becoming involved in prostitution and other street related activity. The client base includes girls and their families who find themselves in emotional and social difficulties.
HERA is a collaborative, preventative program of community organizations, agencies and individuals that saves the lives and souls of high-risk adolescent girls. HERA intervenes with therapy, family support, and educational services to prevent the girls from becoming involved in life on the street or to reintegrate them into the "straight" world of school and home life.
HERA also works with girls who have tried street life and who genuinely want to get off of the street and return to home and school. HERA is an integrated program with a specialized school program, in home support for the families, experiential wilderness components and individual, group and family therapy. HERA recognizes the needs of these adolescent girls are different from those of other age groups and the male gender. All components have been designed to deal with the female issues that these girls face including sexual abuse, body image, eating disorders and sexism.
HERA is a collaborative program that eliminates administrative overlap and inefficiency and is guided by a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the various contributing bodies and other interested and committed citizens of Calgary. This collaborative approach is more effective and cost-efficient and delivers the best possible service to HERA's clients: adolescent girls.
