PEERS Alliance opens first queer youth collective in Summerside

Two years after opening a chapter of the first Queer Youth Collective in Charlottetown, the Peers Alliance is opening a new chapter of themonthly youth support group in Summerside, P.E.I., saysprogramco-ordinatorAngele Desroches.

Desrochessaid they knew they weren't reaching as many people as they wanted to after opening the Charlottetown chapter in September 2016.

This is a way of holding space for members of theLGBTQ-plus community to come and gather together.AngeleDesroches

"In the first couple of meetings we did notice we had young folk travelling from Summerside, Kensington, even as far away as Tignish.

"We recognized if we introduced the program into other communities we'd reach more folks."

Using fundingfrom several sources,Desrochessaid they are now able to open the Summerside chapter that is for ages 12 to 18.

Volunteers who identify as members of theLGBTQcommunity help run the programs.

Creates connections

"It fosters community obviously and it also creates connections for younger folks to other members of community ... there's some mentoring going on."

The program involves discussion groups and activities to build resiliency and self-awareness. It also provides relevant health and wellness information for LGBTQ youth.

"We try to keep the program as low-barrier as possible, so what that means for us is we hold an open space where everyone is welcome, everyone under the rainbow.

No assumptions, no boxes folks are not asked to identify to participate in the program, allies are welcome to attend."

Desroches addsyouth don't need parental permission to attend.

"We hold the space and folks that show up is the group we run with that night."

Group important

Desrochessaid havinga group like this is important for youth who may feel socially isolated.

"This is a way of holding space for members of the LGBTQ pluscommunity to come and gather together."

The two groups also offer ways for peopleto connect and become acquainted outside the youth group, she said.

Desrochessaid the youth group will meet in Summerside the first Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the city's Youth Engagement Centre.

The Charlottetown group meets the secondand last Tuesday of each month at the Murphy's CommunityCentre.

More P.E.I. news