The Provincial Youth Ambassador Program [PYAP] brings together 2SLGBTQ+ youth from across the province to increase 2SLGBTQ+ programming and supports in their local regions, strengthen leadership skills, and build networks amongst 2SLGBTQ+ youth. PYAP strives towards building communities that are not only safe and inclusive of 2SLGBTQ+ youth, but also free from systemic barriers and violence.
PYAP is by 2SLGBTQ+ youth, for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
2SLGBTQ+ Black and Indigenous Healing Spaces
The Provincial Youth Ambassador Program is now offering dedicated Healing Spaces exclusive to 2SLGBTQ+ Black and Indigenous youth (ages 16-29) in Ontario!
Running from late December 2021 to March 2022, this initiative offers Youth Ambassadors in these pods the opportunity to engage each other in holistic conversations and activities centered on healing and the intersections of race, indigeneity, sexuality and gender.
Example workshops include:
- somatic healing/meditation
- arts-based activities
- conversations on decolonization
- preparing bundle items (for the Indigenous group*)
These weekly sessions are facilitated by Black and/or Indigenous community organizers and leaders, and will culminate in the creation of collaborative art zines to commemorate youths’ time spent together and the learnings they will take away!
If this sounds of interest to you, apply here!
DEADLINE: Tuesday, November 30 @ 11:59PM EST.
Questions or want to be involved as a paid facilitator? Email pyap@youthline.ca.
#DoBetter: 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Recommendations for Change in Ontario
In 2019, LGBT YouthLine’s Provincial Youth Ambassador Program (PYAP) brought together 18 2SLGBTQ+ youth from across Ontario to lead an assessment about the experiences and needs of 2SLGBTQ+ youth (29 and under) in Ontario.
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The PYAP Youth Ambassadors worked together to develop the entire process, and almost 1,200 youth participated through an online survey and in-person community sharing circles between July-September 2019. The results from the Needs Assessment are powerful and speak to the immediate and future needs of our communities while also amplifying the resilience of 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
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Drawing from this assessment, and after much anticipation, LGBT YouthLine is excited to announce the release of “Do Better: 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Recommendations for Change in Ontario.”
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The report details seven recommendations calling on organizations, government, service providers, educators, health care professionals, and community leaders in Ontario to #DoBetter to support 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Ontario. For more details about each of these recommendations and how you can take action, visit dobetter.youthline.ca.
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With the time, dedication, and support of our Youth Ambassadors and YouthLine Staff, community members, the research team, artists, designers, and so many more, this report and this research became a reality. Thank you for all of your work <3
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A special thank you to 2SLGBTQ+ youth who participated in the 2019 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Needs Assessment. Thank you for trusting us with your experiences, thoughts, and demands. Thank you for sharing your dreams, goals, and futures. We hope this report will make you proud, and that you will continue to make demands for services, leaders and politicians to #DoBetter.
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Introducing the 2020 Youth Ambassadors Community Projects!
We’re excited to finally announce the 2020 Youth Ambassador Community Projects! Check out the full project details by clicking here!
PYAP 2020 Cohort
We are super lucky to have 14 amazing Youth Ambassadors (YAs) as part of the 2020/2021 PYAP Cohort!
The YAs began their volunteer positions in June, participating in weekly YouthLine core trainings and skill shares. This Cohort has been incredibly lucky to learn from so many wonderful 2SLGBTQ+ community members throughout our training cycle. The YAs have also been busy with team building activities; due to Covid-19, we were not able to have our Opening Retreat, so we moved our team building to online spaces: escape rooms, ‘gaymes’ nights, and colouring galore!
Moving into the Fall, the YAs are busy planning and implementing their community projects. Online Black-only support spaces, 2SLGBTQ+ youth zines, community needs assessments, affirmation decks, and online video resources, just to name a few! For more information about the YA community projects, including how you can get involved, visit this page: PYAP Projects 2020
In December, PYAP will have our closing celebrations, as we say goodbye to another year of wonderful Youth Ambassadors <3
Wrapping up PYAP 2019/2020
The Provincial Youth Ambassador Program 2019/2020 cohort has sadly come to an end. We had such an amazing year, and are so incredibly proud of the Youth Ambassadors, and all of the work they have done to support and amplify the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Ontario.
To check out a recap of all the amazing things PYAP was up to in 2019/2020, click here!
