Introducing the Provincial Youth Ambassador Project

Posted on July 5, 2019

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Do you have dreams of what the future of queer and trans communities looks like? Do you have ideas on how to make safer and more inclusive spaces? Do you have thoughts on how to improve social services? 

Then you might be interested in the Provincial Youth Ambassador Project (PYAP) Needs Assessment!  

Complete the survey now!

More about the Needs Assessment directly from our Youth Ambassadors…

We are a group of 18 2SLGBTQ+ youth from across Ontario who are looking to raise awareness about experiences of queer, trans, and Two-Spirit youth!

We believe that young people hold the most important knowledge and have the most magical ideas on how the future can be transformed to be a world that loves and celebrates all people. 

We believe in challenging systems of violence and advocating for a different world, which means that the voices of those who are often silenced need to be amplified – which is why our needs assessment is centering 2SLGBTQ+ youth who are 29 and under! As a group of predominately BIPOC folks (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), we especially interested in other BIPOC folks participating in this research! 

Our needs assessment consists of two different parts:  

Provincial Survey  

  • Our survey is now live! If you’re 29 and under, currently live within the province of Ontario and identify as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, then this survey is for you! It will only take 5-10 minutes to complete, and you have the option to be entered into a draw to win one of two 50$ gift cards to a place of your choice!  
  • For more information, and to access the survey, please click here!
  • The survey will be live until August 31, 2019 

Community Sharing Circles  

  • Sharing circles are small group conversations where we share our ideas to build knowledge together as a collective.  
  • We will be hosting sharing circles during the months of July-September 2019 in different communities through Ontario!  
  • Each sharing circle will have a maximum of 10 participants, and will be approximately 1.5 hours in length  
  • Child care and compensation for travel is available! And as a small token of your appreciation, all folks who participate will receive a small gift!  
  • If you are interested in participating in a sharing circle, please contact us: pyap@youthline.ca 

What happens next:

In the Fall of 2019, we (the youth ambassadors) will be releasing the result of the needs assessment (both the survey and sharing circles) in community launches throughout the province!  We will also create projects in our communities based on the results.

About PYAP:

PYAP is hosted by LGBT YouthLine, which is a youth-led organization that affirms and supports the experiences of youth (29 and under across Ontario), which is done by (1) providing anonymous peer support and referrals, (2) training youth to provide support to other youth, and (3) providing resources so youth can make informed decisions. 

For further information on PYAP:

  • PYAP Page
  • Contact our Youth Ambassadors directly at pyap@youthline.ca
  • Contact one of the Coordinators:
    • PYAP North: Larae Harbour at pyapnorth@youthline.ca
    • PYAP North: Hayley Moody at pyapsouth@youthline.ca
  • And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram! @Pyap_youthline