“It represents nature and structure in life and how they work together:” Reframing Communities, Re-

Presenting Support and Developing Greater Wellness in B.C.’s Queer, Trans and Two Spirit

Youth

Kyle Shaughnessy, RSW - C.A.L.L. Out! Project LeadLiz Cave, MA - C.A.L.L. Out! Project Assistant

November 1st, 2012

What is C.A.L.L. Out! ??• A strengths based wellness initiative aimed at

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning and Allied youth.

• Work with organizations across BC to engage LGBT2SQ youth in fun, meaningful activities that:

– increase their leadership capacity and

– increase their connection to community

What is C.A.L.L. Out! ??• Funded by Health Canada’s Drug Strategy

Community Initiatives Fund

• Joint initiative between Vancouver Coastal Health’s

– Prism Services

– Transgender Health Program

– Youth A&D Prevention Services

C.A.L.L. Out! and the Social Determinants of Health

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens in Chinatown, Vancouver BC. I took this because it represents nature and structure in life and how they work together.-Ev Caissie, QMUNITY Gab Youth (Vancouver)

C.A.L.L. Out! and the Social Determinants of Health

• Literature amply demonstrates that LGB and trans youth at greater risk of poor health outcomes and alcohol and drug use relative to heterosexual peers

• A variety of research designs have explained this health disparity as a consequence of a social framework that affords LGB and trans youth with less access to protective factors than other populations

• Protective factors = “events, circumstances, and life experiences that promote confidence and competence among adolescents and help to protect them from negative developmental risks and health outcomes” (Saewyc e al., 2009, p.110)

• Include things like:

– Community involvement (v. isolation, stigma, safe spaces to socialize)

– Family acceptance (v. family rejection)

– High self-esteem (v. low self-esteem)

– Access to role models (v. no one to look up to)

Why C.A.L.L. Out! ??• Research and consultation with communities across BC (and

Canada) tells us that:

– consistently identified need for increased programming to support LGBT2SQ youth

– LGBT2SQ youth want

• more activities and opportunities to explore their interests;

• more chances to develop skills;

• more chances to gain experience that will be helpful when entering the workforce.

How does C.A.L.L. Out! work?

• Working with over 25 youth groups across BC over 3 years (April 2010 – March 2013), facilitating a series of leadership activities

– Photovoice Project

– Youth Leadership Skills Training/Conference

– Community Projects

– Parent & Caregiver Education

How does C.A.L.L. Out! work?

• Sought partnership with

– community centres

– social service organizations

– youth shelters

– volunteer run community groups

• All currently working with LGBT2SQ youth

CampOUT! (UBC)

Whatever Group (West

Van)

Gab Youth ServicesQMUNITY

YouthCOHIV & HepC Community Outreach

Trans Youth Drop-in VCH - Trans Health

Program

SACYVCH Youth Addiction

& Prevention Services / Vancouver

School Board C.H.A.T. David

Thompson Secondary

GSA

Out In Sports Society

Wordplay

Vancouver Poetry House

Surrey Youth Alliance

Fraser Valley Youth Society (Abbotsford)

Rainbow YOUth

Burnaby Youth Hub

Generation OUT!PLEA

Community Services Hope

Secondary School GSA

OutletFreedom

Quest Youth Services

(Castlegar)

Safe SpacesInterior Community

Services(Kamloops)

UNITYKelowna Boys & Girls Clubs

Youth 4 Diversity

(Campbell River)

Nanaimo Youth Q&A

Nanaimo Youth Services Association

WHATSouth Island Pride Community Centre

(Victoria)

Nanaimo Secondar

y GSACommunity Options

GSA(Cowichan Valley)

Comox Valley Pride

Pride UNBC(Prince George)

G.L.O.W. ClubDawson Creek

Secondary

• Who does C.A.L.L. Out! serve?

• Who does C.A.L.L. Out! serve?

Photovoice Project

• Record, reflect and critique the community issues and lived experiences of LGBT2SQ youth across BC in a creative way.

• Youth go out into their communities to take photos in response to a prompting question and attach a short narrative

• Group meets 4-6 times to share & discuss photos

• Provide cameras & other supplies, on-site orientation, facilitation support

Photovoice Project

Photos taken in response to 3 questions

• Where do you go to spend time with friends?

• Where do you go to spend time alone?

• Where do you go to spend time with a supportive adult?

Calm creative catalyst. Writing sanctuary. A place to purge. -Vanessa, Surrey Youth Alliance

-Rebecca Horrocks, Safe Spaces (Kamloops)

Getting involved in the community is my life. I love being social. I adore meeting people. This picture represents a day where I helped host a casseroles gathering at English Bay. I had just learned about what was going on in Quebec though an event held at Langara Collage called "Sustainability and Power: How the 99% Can Change the World" and it changed my life. It made me realize how liberal I was and got me out into that specific community. -Aliza Bosa (Trans Youth Drop-in)

-Kyle Dorman, Safe Spaces (Kamloops)

Keep Me Moving Forward -Josie, Comox Valley Pride

Encouraging words from my community <3-Judith (Tuyet Anh) Nguyen, Youth 4 Diversity (Campbell River)

I wonder what life would be like being a dog. I wonder what they think of humans.-Jee Myung, QMUNITY Gab Youth (Vancouver)

This Woman’s Best Friend-Gee, Nanaimo Youth Q+A

-Youth 4 Diversity (Campbell River)

My Choir is my family.  My music folder is my house.-Éireann O’Dea, Trans Youth Drop-in (Vancouver)

One of my passions is composing music.  It gives me a sense of hope.-Éireann O’Dea, Trans Youth Drop-in (Vancouver)

Place where I can be an ally-Andrew Heard, Safe Spaces (Kamloops)

Welcome in the VillageWherever your footsteps take you, remember that community is always right here with you.-Youth 4 Diversity (Campbell River)

The on hand safety of light and light-hearted people.-Angela Burdett, QMUNITY Gab Youth (Vancouver)

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens in Chinatown, Vancouver BC. I took this because it represents nature and structure in life and how they work together.-Ev Caissie, QMUNITY Gab Youth (Vancouver)

-Rebecca Horrocks, Safe Spaces (Kamloops)

In every community every person contributes something, but we don’t always notice every person. Chickens are like the people in our community who we affect and are affected by, but we don’t always take time to think about them and their contributions.We all contribute to the community.-Youth 4 Diversity (Campbell River)

I do a lot of photography in downtown Kamloops for a hobby. It calms me and sets me free.-Ria DuBois, Safe Spaces (Kamloops)

Leadership Skills Workshops

• LGBT2SQ youth lens

• Developed with PeerNetBC

• Facilitated at numerous youth groups & conferences including C.A.L.L. Out! Conference

Leadership Skills Workshops

• Focus on teambuilding, healthy relationships, communication skills, examining societal power & privilege, media literacy & body positivity, public speaking, community action and event planning.

C.A.L.L. Out! Activities

• 50 youth & 20 staff working with queer & trans youth from around BC.

• 3 days in Vancouver

– Workshops, activities, performance night, movie night

• Large focus was connecting LGBT2SQ youth with each other

• This year a large focus will also be on teambuilding amongst staff working with LGBT2SQ youth around the province.

C.A.L.L. Out! Conference

Community Project Grants• C.A.L.L. Out! to provides $500-

1000 grants to 20 LGBT2SQ youth groups across BC.

– Staff/volunteer mentor youth through planning & delivery of community project

– Have included GSAs

– Most widespread involvement

Community Projects this year:

– Dances & parties

– Dodgeball team

– Safer spaces campaigns

– Intersectionality conference

– Community breakfast

– Education series

• Sexual health, coming out, community organizing

– Drop-in start-up

– GSA outreach campaigns

• Education & arts-based activities

C.A.L.L. Out! Activities

• Parent Workshops

– Support/education focus for all parents on LGBT2SQ youth issues

– Developed in consultation with youth, parents & support workers

– Available in all communities working with C.A.L.L. Out!

Evaluation

• Baseline Survey

– Completed at beginning of engagement activities

– Includes basic questions about background & identity, community and family supports, your leadership skills, experiences of homophobia & transphobia, your experiences with alcohol and drugs, coping skills and personal strengths.

• Follow-up evaluation and feedback

– Short feedback form at the end of engagement activities

– Follow-up interview following piloted activities

Evaluation

• Photovoice Project Feedback

– Facilitators:

• Youth learned to creatively express themselves

• Build on their critical thinking skills through discussing social issues with peers

• Regular attendance somewhat challenging

– Youth:

• “(I learned that) I am more artistic than I thought.”

• “(I learned about) where I really feel safe”

• “(I learned more about): “deadlines,” “social skills,” “patience,” and “how to talk with people I normally wouldn’t talk to”

Evaluation

• Leadership Skills Workshops Feedback

– Youth:

• “(The best part is) the focus on the queer community”

• “(The most important thing I learned was:

– “I have a voice and people like what I say”

– “How to be more assertive, how to build healthy relationships”

– “How to cope and understand people by understanding myself better”

• “(I feel) prepared for a leadership opportunity”

• “maybe more drug and alcohol awareness”

Unmet needs of LGBT2SQ youth

• Large number of youth outreach opportunities & requests

• Many youth serving agencies (and schools) asking for support in LGBT2SQ youth competency

Kyle Shaughnessy, RSWC.A.L.L. Out! Project LeadPrism & Youth Addictions ServicesVancouver Coastal Health 604.315.3668 or 1.877.515.3668 (toll free in BC)kyle.shaughnessy@vch.ca

Liz Cave, MAC.A.L.L. Out! Project AssistantPrism & Youth Addictions ServicesVancouver Coastal Health liz.cave@vch.ca

Lorraine GrievesManager, Youth Addictions, Prism604 714-3771 x 2318Lorrraine.grieves@vch.ca