Supporting Our Youth

Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada based organization. It runs programs and events geared to supporting the special needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual and intersex youth. SOY is a community development project created to help improve the lives of LGBTTI youth in the Toronto area. It gets support and involvement from local youth and adults that volunteer their time to help improve each other’s lives. SOY’s main focus points are helping the youth create healthy arts, recreational spaces, culture, supportive housing, and employment.

History

In 1991 a network of social professionals, health care providers, educators, youth, parents and activists joined to form the Toronto Coalition for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth, their main concern was for the youth of the surrounding area who formed the queer community. After conducting a six-month study to determine the needs of the queer community, the Supporting Our Youth project was launched in April 1998. SOY was funded by the Trillium Foundation, and was originally meant to serve as a three-year community development project whose purpose was to create opportunities for LGBT youth in the areas of recreational activities, culture and arts, employment, housing and mentoring projects.1

In September 2004, SOY became a program of Sherbourne Health Centre where they share the same purpose.

Programs

Alphabet Soup: A drop in for queer and transgender and transsexual youth under the age of 20 every Tuesday from 4-6pm at Sherbourne Health Centre. This program is developed to get community resources and information, meet new people hold sex discussions and coming out stories.2

The Black Queer Youth Initiative (BQV): A meeting held every Wednesday of the week from 6:30-8:30pm targeted for the youth who are Black, Multiracial, African/Caribbean and under 29 years old who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual and questioning. This group was designed to help the youth learn how to go on outings, take up space, and hold workshops to socialize with other youth and at the same time provide a safe environment. BQY has been meeting regularly since May 2002.3

Express: Express is a supportive space where newcomers to Canada or immigrant queer youth have a place to gather and ask questions and share their ideas. Express targets youth between the ages of 16 and 29 who come from all over the world where being a part of the queer community is not yet accepted, legal or safe. Express holds a weekly meeting every Tuesday at 6pm. They have had more than 20 nationalities and/or ethnicities in their youth meetings since May 2002. Express also provides an internet based group for those who cannot attend due to Work, school or family issues. This group provides support for those youth from different backgrounds and cultures where they are not accepted for their sexual orientation. 4

Essence: Essence is a youth-centered group where transsexuals, queer and questioning youth can get in touch with their inner selves. They hold workshops and have guest speakers and teach you how to have a positive attitude. They meet at certain times in different seasons.5

Fluid: Fluid meets every Thursday night from 6:30-8:30pm, it is a group for youth who are pansexual, omnisexual, bisexual and questioning who do not fit into other sexuality categories.6

Monday Night Drop In: Takes place every Monday between 5:30-8:00pm. It's a place for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth to come together over a meal and connect with mentors and other resources. Each week there is something different to do, such as: movies, guest speakers, bingo and other games.

Pink Ink: Pink ink is a writing group for the youth and by the youth. Any person is able to join if between the ages of 14-29 and part of the LGBT community. They schedule meeting times and dates depending on which season it is.7

Trans_Fusion Crew: Meet every Thursday from 6-8pm, welcomes all transgender, transsexual and youth who are questioning their gender to join them.8

Scholarships

The Bill 7 Award: The Bill 7 Award is a registered charitable trust that gives awards to Lesbian, gay, transgender, transsexual, bisexual, queer and 2 spirited students in financial need who are attending a post secondary school in Toronto, Canada.9

Mentoring Program

Click is a SOY mentoring program that pairs youth who are LGBTTQI with adults who are also LGBTTQI with similar interests and hobbies. The adult mentors are screened and safe to be around and is meant to help with transitioning and offer a listen, no judgmental ear.10

External links

References

    [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

    [10]

    1. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/about.html
    2. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/current/alphabetsoup.html
    3. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/current/bqy.html
    4. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/current/express.html
    5. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/current/essence.html
    6. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/current/fluid.html
    7. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/current/pinkink.html
    8. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/current/tfc.html
    9. ↑ http://www.bill7award.ca/
    10. ↑ http://www.soytoronto.org/mentoring.html