What is PBY?

Each year, YWCA St. John’s hosts Power of Being You™ – an empowerment-based, violence prevention conference for youth. This conference is typically held in partnership with a local junior high school and supports youth between ages 12 to 15 to build confidence in their leadership and critical thinking skills through the development of a stronger sense of self-awareness and awareness of others.

We originally launched Power of Being a Girl™ in 2012 which was followed by a parallel conference entitled Strength in Being a Boy™ in 2014. In 2016, we piloted Power of Being You™ (borrowed from our sisters at YWCA Regina) which created a shared space for youth of all gender identities to explore topics important to them. Each year, we typically hold Power of Being You™ during World YWCA’s Week Without Violence – a week-long series of community events promoting diverse approaches to creating a violence-free world. More than 17,000 people in schools, workplaces, and community organizations throughout Canada recognize this annual violence prevention initiative aimed at making violence a thing of the past.

Most Recent Conference Date: March 20, 2024

“I liked the experience; I am more aware of the topics now.”

“I liked that I learnt a lot of new information.”
— PBY Participants, 2022

Interested in bringing Power of Being You to your school? Reach out to our Youth Programs Coordinator, Drishti, at drishti@ywcastjohns.ca.

Past Events

  • 2024: YWCA held it’s 10th Power of Being You™ Conference in partnership with St. Paul’s Junior High school in St. John’s.

  • 2022: YWCA held Power of Being You™ Conference in partnership with St. Bonaventure’s College in St. John’s.

  • 2019: YWCA held Power of Being You™ Conference in partnership with St. Paul’s Junior High school in St. John’s.

  • 2018: YWCA held Power of Being You™ Conference in partnership with St. Paul’s Junior High school in St. John’s.

  • 2017: YWCA held Power of Being You™ Conference in partnership with St. John Bosco school in St. John's. 

  • 2016: YWCA held it's Power of Being You™ Conference in partnership with St. Michael's Regional High School on Bell Island. We also held our annual community-based Power of Being a Girl™ and Strength of Being a Boy™ Conferences on October 23, 2016. 

  • 2015: YWCA held Power of Being a Girl™ Conference and Strength in Being a Boy™ Conference in partnership with St. Paul's Junior High.

  • 2014: YWCA held Power of Being a Girl™ Conference at Holy Cross Junior High School, and concurrently hosted the 1st Strength in Being a Boy Conference™ in St. John's

  • 2013: YWCA held Power of Being a Girl™ at The Murphy Centre, CNA Prince Phillip Campus

  • 2012: YWCA held it's 1st Power of Being a Girl™ Conference at Marguerite's Place