Photo: GIRLS CLUB

An Okanagan chapter of Girls Club launches next month.

Girls just want to have fun, the song goes, and that include those with brain disorders which can affect emotion and learning ability.

Girls Club, a fun, social group is for all girls with neuro-developmental differences and gives kids and teens on-going opportunities to connect and form meaningful relationships with others. It was launched in the Lower Mainland in February and has over 90 members.

Local mom Bree Cawley was driven to start up an Okanagan chapter.

“As the mother of a young daughter with a neurological disorder, I want to ensure that my daughter has the opportunity to develop friendships and connections with other girls in the Okanagan region who might also be neurologically challenged,” Cawley said. “We have fabulous resources here. However, I find that there are support group for parents and therapy groups for our kids, but nothing where the kids can actually connect and hang out and have fun. Girls Club Okanagan will be just that – fun.”

With the support of the North Okanagan Neurological Association and nestled under the umbrella of AutismBC, a registered charity, Girls Club is 100 per cent non-profit. Membership is free and no drop-in or participation fees are charged.

“The NONA Childhood Development Centre is a building built by the community for the community,” said Helen Armstrong, NONA executive director. “We are excited to be able to offer our wonderful space to Girls Club members for their meetups.”

The Okanagan Chapter launch will be held on Sunday Aug. 13 at the NONA building in Vernon.

There will be a barbecue, games, and activities for the girls with follow up, once a month gatherings.

For more information about Girls Club or to register for the launch, go online.