‘My soul’s purpose’: Kindness workshops empowering Montreal girls

Do you know what it means to be fearlessly kind? 

These Montreal girls do — thanks to Rachela Farella who hosts empowering workshops for tween and teen girls. 

“It’s more than just a job, it’s not even a job,” said Farella. “It’s my soul’s purpose.”

Farella has been a certified FearlesslyKind Girl Facilitator since 2021.

“The younger we start, the better it is as they get older,” explained Farella. “The kinder, more empathetic individuals they’ll become.”

FearlesslyGiRL programming says they’ve impacted over 100,000 young woman across North America – Farella is one of the many women certified to bring these workshops into their own communities.

“We started at eight, nine years old,” said Maia Vaccaro, one of the awesome workshop participants. “Now, because of what we learned, I feel like I know so much more about kindness.”

From confidence building activities to talks about fearlessness – Farella brings these workshops into elementary and high schools.

She also hosts some in Montreal’s RDP — Like her glow-board, mom & daughter workshops, and the one CityNews attended back in November: Girlology 101.

This class, designed for her youngest age group: six to eight years old.

Three of her older FearlesslyKind Girl participants – which includes one of Farella’s daughters – attended the workshop to help and be leaders.

“I’m just proud of her because she’s come a long way,” explained Aiva Furfaro. “I’m just proud of her because she’s my mom and I’m happy to be seeing her like this.”

The girls confidence, inspiring!

CityNews Montreal reporter, Pamela Pagano, passed on her microphone to them to conduct interviews with the workshop participants.

“What does kindness mean to you?” asked Maia.

“Love!” answered one workshop-goer.

“What did you like about today’s workshop?” asked Gabriella Matteo.

“It’s my first time,” answered another participant.

This workshop – based on kindness, empathy and friendship.

Taught through discussions and arts & crafts.

“I love today because there is so much cool stuff that we could all girls do,” said one participant.

“I just love today,” answered another. “Always stay kind and always act kind every single day.”

“What does kindness mean to you?” asked Aiva.

“Being respectful,” answered another FearlesslyKind Girl.

“It means to treat people the way you like to be treated,” added another.

Working with teenagers for over 17 years, Farella said she’s vowed to help changed the world, one kinder girl at a time.

“Being kind means doing things for others without expecting anything in return,” explained Farella. “And it’s because you truly authentically believe that it’s something that you want to do.”