About LGBT YouthLine
For thirty years, LGBT YouthLine has provided affirming, anonymous peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Ontario.
Our Mission
LGBT YouthLine is an anti-racist, youth-led organization that connects 2SLGBTQ+ youth (29 and under) across Ontario to resources and community through peer support, training, advocacy, and referrals.
Our Vision
A world where 2SLGBTQ+ youth are safe and celebrated as their authentic selves, thriving in communities built on solidarity, mutual care, and self-determination.
Our Values
As we pursue our mission, we work by the values listed below. Together, they provide a picture of who we are as an organization and how we want to be.
Youth-Centered
Youth know their own experiences best and this makes them the best people to make choices that are right for them. We offer support, not advice; affirmation, not judgment. We offer information and resources to youth to provide them with the tools to make well-informed choices for themselves. We prioritize youth leadership to ensure our programs, services, and entire organization are directed by the needs and desires of youth.
Accessibility
We strive, at all times, to provide an environment that respects the autonomy and self-determination of all people, including people with disabilities and/or Deaf/Hard of Hearing (HoH) people. This includes working on removing physical and social barriers to our programs and services. We are also committed to advocating for dignified access and for the rights of Deaf/HoH people and/or people with disabilities in 2SLGBTQ+ communities, recognizing people are impacted by ableism on interpersonal and systemic levels.
Confidentiality
In all aspects of our work, we are committed to confidentiality of personal information and respect the anonymity of service users and volunteers.
Anti-Oppression
We work to create an organization that reflects anti-racist and anti-oppressive (AR/AO) values. We recognize that the impacts of racism and oppression are intersectional and cannot be addressed in isolation. We work with diverse 2SLGBTQ+ communities where people impacted by racism and other forms of oppression on interpersonal and systemic levels. Because of these realities, we are committed to prioritizing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) experiences in our work.
Harm Reduction
We are committed to using a harm reduction lens to support individuals in all aspects of our work. For us, harm reduction means that we understand people do things that can cause harm to themselves and we try to work with services users to find ways to make those things less harmful. Our aim to reduce harm comes from a place of non-judgement and our commitment to affirming the dignity and right to self-determination of the people with whom we work.
Collaboration
While YouthLine plays a unique role in supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth, we recognize that we do this work as part of a larger network comprised of programs, services, organizations, communities, and individuals. Our work goes beyond our own Mission and peer support service, and is most effective when we work in collaboration with others, including youth themselves. We strive to connect and collaborate with other groups, people, and organizations that are supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities in order to achieve a shared goal of building better supports for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
Indigenous Solidarity
We recognize that transphobia, homophobia, and sexism are rooted in the colonial histories and ongoing realities of the land on which we operate. We know that acting in solidarity with Indigenous peoples goes beyond acknowledging the histories and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples on this land. We are committed to working alongside and in solidarity with Indigenous peoples. We recognize our responsibility in building meaningful relationships with Indigenous groups and individuals.
Growth & Learning
As an organization that is run for youth and by youth, YouthLine is committed to fostering an environment that supports growth and learning at every level; this includes our staff, volunteers, board members, and service users. We encourage everyone to ask questions and share skills and knowledge in their own way.
Sex Positive
We affirm and validate youth sexual autonomy and support youth in making self-directed, informed choices about if, how, where, and with whom they have sex. We recognize that everyone has a different relationship to sexual desire, and aim to create spaces that are both sex and sex work positive, while affirming the experiences of people who identify on the asexuality spectrum. We offer space for youth to have respectful and affirmational conversations about sex, asexuality, sex work, polyamory, consent, sexual violence, and any other topics that youth tell us are relevant to their sexual experiences.
Our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan
Meet The Team
Lauren Pragg
Lauren is a second-generation Indo-Trinidadian settler who lives on Williams Treaty territory in Scarborough, Ontario – the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. They are personally and professionally committed to principles of equity, justice and accountability.
Lauren previously worked for LGBT YouthLine from 2018-19. They are glad to be back as the Executive Director. They have worked in community engagement, research, and communications positions for over 15 years with a diverse array of organizations, such as Planned Parenthood Toronto, YWCA Toronto, and Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada. Lauren holds an MSW from Wilfrid Laurier University and an MA degree in Social and Political Thought from York University.
Lauren Pragg
Executive Director
Noah
Noah is a Black person of Jamaican descent and of trans experience born and raised on the traditional unceded unsurrendered lands of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people (Ottawa). He received his Bachelor of Social Work in 2014 from Carleton University, and has since worked and volunteered for various 2SLGBTQI+ organisations nationally, and within Ottawa and Toronto. Noah previously worked at YouthLine in 2017, and is excited to be back leading and supporting operations. In his spare time, you can catch Noah playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, exercising, and/or spending time with his wife, chosen family and friends.
Noah
Manager, Operations
May Matchim
May Matchim is a trans woman currently based in Toronto. She's excited to begin her role as the Communications and Development Specialist at LGBT Youthline. An avid nature lover, she's been involved with a number of environmental non-profits, and volunteers with the Toronto Feminist Bird Club. Currently, she's making a feature length documentary about Queer ecology.
May Matchim
Communications & Development Specialist
Vale Warren
Operations Specialist
Vale is a queer, non-binary, mixed-race weirdo who grew up in Mississauga. Now living in Toronto, they have worked and volunteered at a variety of organizations, most recently with youth groups and in tenant rights education. As a former Craftathon committee member and peer support volunteer, Vale is excited to be stepping into their new role at LGBT YouthLine. In their downtime, Vale enjoys video games, noodle soup, watercolour painting, and fashion.
Vale Warren
Operations Specialist
Katrina
Outreach & Engagement Specialist
Katrina is a queer Indigenous person living in Northern Ontario, they have centered most of their current experience around volunteering within their community and supporting 2SLGBTQ youth in the area. They are passionate about caring for the vulnerable in their communities and being critical of the Canadian colonial state. In their spare time, Katrina enjoys learning about indigenous history and finding ways to connect with their heritage. Katrina can also be found walking their dog, taking pictures of sunrises, and enjoying a hot drink on an even hotter day.
Katrina
Outreach & Engagement Specialist
Beck Scholbeck
Shift Supervisor
Beck (they/them) is a white, genderqueer, neurodivergent queer person living in Tkaronto. Beck was a Youthline volunteer for 2 years before starting their role as shift supervisor. In their free time Beck enjoys crochet, embroidery, and doing stick and poke tattoos.
Beck Scholbeck
Shift Supervisor
Ben Gillis-Kent
Ben (He/they) is a perpetually caffeinated queer white settler living in Tkaronto. He has been an active volunteer in the 2SLGBTQ+ community for over a decade, and was formerly a peer support volunteer with LGBT Youthline from 2018-2022. Ben spent 12 years working with people and their animals, before transitioning into a new career in human resources with the federal public service. They are passionate about community building and creating safe spaces for a diverse range of 2SLGBTQ+ peoples. Ben currently lives in Tkaronto’s east end with their partner and their ‘wobbly’ cat, Cesar.
Ben Gillis-Kent
Co-Chair, Board of Directors
Keziah Oduro
Keziah Oduro (she/her) explores the intersections of social finance, knowledge mobilization, and community engagement across many spaces. She is completing her Political Science and Social Impact degree at the University of Ottawa. She is dedicated to creating visibility for youth in 2SLGBTQIA+ and child welfare communities. As a queer woman, her work is deeply informed by her lived experiences and commitment to transformative justice. Through decolonial and anti-oppressive approaches to systems design, she continues to bring innovation to fund development and strategic development practices sitting on boards and grant review committees. Keziah enjoys music, films, her cat Ginger, and good meals with friends outside of work.
Keziah Oduro
Board of Directors
Nicole Dylan Madison
Nicole (she/they) is a queer individual who currently lives in Toronto with their spouse and child. Having worked primarily in the nonprofit and wellness sectors, Nicole has experience in managing operations, communications, and events. Over the past 12 years, she has dedicated her efforts to a charitable organization that provides mindfulness-based programs to youth in marginalized communities. Nicole’s educational background is in design and they are a certified, trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness instructor. Nicole is an avid reader and a committed introvert. In their free time, you’ll find them curled up with a book or playing the Sims 4.
Nicole Dylan Madison
Secretary - Board of Directors
Sophie
Sophie (she/they) is a registered social worker based in Thunder Bay, ON, where they work as a counsellor specializing in gender-based violence, trauma, and abuse. As part of the team at Thunder Bay Counselling, Sophie is committed to strengthening community capacity in northern urban settings through accessible services and peer support initiatives. Sophie studied social work at Lakehead University and has called Thunder Bay home for over five years. Born in Toronto and raised in rural southern Ontario, they draw on their own experiences as a queer youth growing up in a rural community to guide their work. Sophie is passionate about giving back to the community and uplifting the voices of youth across Northwestern Ontario. Outside of their professional role, Sophie is a published poet, parent to two rescue cats, and camping enthusiast!
Sophie
Board of Directors
Kai Flicker
Kai Flicker (he/they) is a queer, transmasculine, Japanese-Canadian from Brockville, Ontario. He is a psychology student at the University of Ottawa and currently works with Children First Canada as Youth Program Coordinator, leading national initiatives that support youth-led advocacy. Kai previously worked as a support worker at an overnight shelter and as the youth engagement and peer support facilitator for Children’s Mental Health of Leeds and Grenville. They have also contributed to research through various advisory roles focused on youth mental health and substance use, helping to shape more inclusive care practices through lived and professional expertise. Kai is especially dedicated to amplifying the voices of queer and marginalized young people in rural communities, particularly those navigating problematic substance use difficulties. Outside of work, he likes to watch garbage reality TV and invest in his tea and incense collection.
Kai Flicker
Board of Directors
Kess Carpenter
Kess (they/them) is currently a PhD Candidate and lecturer at Wilfrid Laurier University, where they study and teach topics in the history of gender, sexuality, activism, and culture. Kess has also helped to design and secure funding for programs that support 2SLAGBTQ+ youth career development in Guelph and the surrounding areas, through their previous work with the Career Education Council. Kess also works as a Rainbow Diversity Facilitator for Spectrum Waterloo.
Kess Carpenter
Board of Directors
tejhler
Tejhler (they/them) is an Anishinaabe youth worker and community organizer currently based in Ontario. They have experience in peer support, harm reduction, and crisis response through roles with the Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy, CMHA, and Women in Crisis Shelter. Tejhler is passionate about creating spaces where 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous youth can feel safe, affirmed, and connected. Their work is grounded in anti-racism, anti-oppression, and Indigenous harm reduction, with a focus on uplifting peers and building leadership opportunities in community. Outside of formal roles, Tejhler is deeply involved in arts and performance, bringing creativity and care into all aspects of their work. They are excited about opportunities that allow them to bridge community care, governance, and youth-led advocacy.
tejhler
Board of Directors
Bilal Khan
Bilal Khan is a public health professional with over 10 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, project management, financial planning, community engagement, and program evaluation. He currently serves as Lead, Health Equity and Priority Populations at Ontario Health, where he drives system-level strategies to advance equitable access to care for marginalized communities. Passionate about 2SLGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, Bilal brings expertise in strategy development, organizational planning, and evaluation to YouthLine’s Board of Directors.
Bilal Khan
Board of Directors
Peer Support Volunteers
It all started with a small group of 2SLGBTQ+ youth in 1994 taking calls from an office. Now we have over 60 volunteers giving their time to support their peers via chat and text.
We have a comprehensive training program and a caring team of staff supervisors who oversee the volunteer team.
Annual Reports & Audit Statements
Yearly Overviews of our work and finances
2024-2025
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
Our Funders
The following foundations, organizations, and corporations have provided YouthLine with generous financial and in-kind support, which has allowed us to carry out our programs and services over the years. We are also supported by many individual donors and community fundraisers. Check out our Annual Reports to learn how you can get involved!
