This past Tuesday the Barrie LGBTQ* Youth Connection group met at the Barrie By The Bay building for their bi-weekly meeting to discuss a spectrum of issues, as well as how each member was doing and how they are handling the situations they are facing.
This group provides LGBTQ or allied youth with a safe environment in which they can speak their minds without judgement. The group was started by Sharron Carson, Outreach Worker at the CMHA, and a few other volunteers about 4 years ago. Now facilitated by the Youth Program Coordinator at the ACSC, Dale Boyle, the group has gone from 4 to 5 youth to 15 to 20 in attendance - and it’s growing.
Dale Boyle had this to say about why believes it is so special and useful compared to other programmes: “The LGBT Youth Connection is so unique because it's different than other youth groups in Simcoe. While other groups might be inclusive of LGBT youth, the LGBT Youth Connection is designed specifically with these youth at the core. This is incredibly crucial to the LGBT youth of Simcoe County, as it provides a safe and comforting environment for youth to meet one another, learn, support each other, and have some fun too!”
Volunteer facilitator and very involved Central student, Brandon Amyot, had this to say when asked why he attends this group: "I joined the youth group mainly because it was an outlet for me - a place to express and be safe - but also to make connections." This group helps youth who are feeling alone and brings them together with other youth who are feeling the same way, while sharing struggles through conversations and activities.
This group is ever-growing and would love to see more LGBTQ*/Allied youth in attendance. The Barrie group meets every first and third Tuesday of the month from 4:00 until 7:00 at the Barrie by the Bay Building, just minutes from Central.
This group provides LGBTQ or allied youth with a safe environment in which they can speak their minds without judgement. The group was started by Sharron Carson, Outreach Worker at the CMHA, and a few other volunteers about 4 years ago. Now facilitated by the Youth Program Coordinator at the ACSC, Dale Boyle, the group has gone from 4 to 5 youth to 15 to 20 in attendance - and it’s growing.
Dale Boyle had this to say about why believes it is so special and useful compared to other programmes: “The LGBT Youth Connection is so unique because it's different than other youth groups in Simcoe. While other groups might be inclusive of LGBT youth, the LGBT Youth Connection is designed specifically with these youth at the core. This is incredibly crucial to the LGBT youth of Simcoe County, as it provides a safe and comforting environment for youth to meet one another, learn, support each other, and have some fun too!”
Volunteer facilitator and very involved Central student, Brandon Amyot, had this to say when asked why he attends this group: "I joined the youth group mainly because it was an outlet for me - a place to express and be safe - but also to make connections." This group helps youth who are feeling alone and brings them together with other youth who are feeling the same way, while sharing struggles through conversations and activities.
This group is ever-growing and would love to see more LGBTQ*/Allied youth in attendance. The Barrie group meets every first and third Tuesday of the month from 4:00 until 7:00 at the Barrie by the Bay Building, just minutes from Central.