Charity Spotlight - The Youth Project
Today we’d like to spotlight The Youth Project and their efforts in providing support and services to youth, 25 and under, around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. This charity was selected by Kay & Carmel - one of our Camp Rover Conference 2024 Speakers.
If you didn’t already know this is something we do with each speaker we bring on; we want to give back to causes that matter to the people that matter to us.
What does The Youth Project focus on in their efforts to serve the community?
“Our mission is to make Nova Scotia a safer, healthier, and happier place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth through support, education, resource expansion and community development.
The Youth Project is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing support and services to youth, 25 and under, around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. We have a provincial mandate and host staff/volunteers in the HRM, Cape Breton, the Valley, and the South Shore and travel around the province to meet with youth in other communities. We provide a variety of programs and services including support groups, referrals, supportive counselling, a resource library, educational workshops, social activities.
The Youth Project is a youth directed organization. Youth have decision making control over the direction and action of the Project. Our Youth Board ensures that our programs and services are relevant and needed by the youth who access the Project. The Youth Project is committed to providing leadership opportunities to lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and ally youth.
We promote and nurture an environment that is appreciative of youth from all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds. We value the contribution and experiences of all youth. All activities and events run by the Youth Project are drug and alcohol free.
Confidentiality is assured.” - About Us, The Youth Project (website)
How did The Youth Project come to be?
“The Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth Project began in 1993. At that time the Project consisted of two social support groups; one for young gay and bisexual men and one for young lesbian and bisexual women. Within a matter of months, the groups had grown. The project was housed and supported by Planned Parenthood Nova Scotia. With the help of the community, the passion of the youth and the support of Planned Parenthood, the Youth Project flourished beyond its limited beginnings.
In 1996, the members of the Youth Project were the Parade Marshalls for the Halifax Pride Parade.
In 1998, the Youth Project received operational funding, from Health Canada, for the first time. The Youth Project along with three other groups in Montreal, Moncton, and Kamloops, were funded under a project called Safe Spaces aimed at increasing supports for LGBT youth in Canada. This funding brought the Youth Project staff and a promotions budget. Services increased from social support groups and workshops to counselling and a full time education program aimed at schools, community groups and professionals. Also in 1998, the Youth Project hosted a conference for students who wanted to start Gay Straight Alliances, leading to the first GSA in Nova Scotia at Millwood High School.
In 2001, the Youth Project received funding from the United Way of Halifax Region, a relationship that remains strong today. The Youth Project would later receive the United Way’s Community Spirit Award as well as Human Rights Award from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and the Ken Belanger Award from the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers.
In 2002, the Youth Project became its own organization, leaving the protective wing of Planned Parenthood and flying out on its own. In order to maintain the strong youth focus, the Youth Board was created as part of our structure. The Youth Project became an independent non-profit charity run by two boards. Also in 2002, the Youth Project received a grant from Human Resources and Development Canada to purchase a house. This would become the Youth Project’s permanent home. And finally in 2002, the Youth Project received funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Health, which would later be picked up by the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection.
In 2008, the Youth Board voted to remove lesbian, gay and bisexual from the front of the organization’s name. This was in response to the fact that transgender was not in the name and that there were many other youth who identified with other labels. Instead of making the name longer, they voted to make it shorter, becoming The Youth Project, working with youth around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Youth Project is now a multi-service organization and has many events and programs occurring throughout Nova Scotia.” - History, The Youth Project (website)
Do you have a current fundraiser or program you'd like to share with the Camp Rover Community?
“Your support can send a LGBTQ2S+ youth to summer camp!
Each Summer the Youth Project sends 150 Nova Scotian LGBTQ2S+ to summer camps across the province: Camp Seahorse, for LGBTQ2S+ identifying youth, Camp Coyote, for trans-identifying youth, Camp Puffin, for LGBTQ2S+ identifying youth in Cape Breton.
All three camps offer youth a camp experience unlike any other in Nova Scotia – one that is free from bullying, encourages a safe space, and offers campers the opportunity to connect with other LGBTQ2S+ youth and participate in a number of activities that you would expect at summer camp. From social support activities to fashion shows, queer-centered activities to swimming arts and crafts to scavenger hunts, Youth Project Summer Camps are a major summer highlight for many who would not otherwise have access to their LGBTQ2S+ peers during the summer months.
The Youth Project provides these summer camps at no cost to campers – with your help, we will be able to continue to offer this one-of-a-kind queer camp experience to youth across Nova Scotia.” - Get Involved, The Youth Project (website)
How can the Camp Rover Community give back to The Youth Project ? What needs do you need to be filled right now?
“The Youth Project relies on the time and energy of volunteers in order to continue the great programs we are able to offer. It is a great opportunity to give back to the community, mentor youth and meet new people. Volunteering can be both fun and rewarding!
The Youth Project is a youth serving agency. We expect volunteers to be professional and respect the policies and practices of the Youth Project. We expect volunteers to be responsible, reliable, and trusted mentors for youth.
Any experience you do have is valuable, but don’t worry if you don’t have any. We provide training. All we ask is that you are youth friendly, have an open mind, and are able to give us some of your time.”- Get Involved, The Youth Project (website)
Any closing thoughts or advice for the Camp Rover Community?
“We also offer educational training & workshops.
We tailor workshops to our audience and their grade level, in order to provide information and generate discussion around sexual orientation and gender identity that is relevant and useful while also addressing grade specific curriculum outcomes. Our workshops are interactive and we encourage questions. We can work with any grade level and customize workshops to address particular issues that you may be dealing with at your school.
With financial support from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development we are able to offer our services at no cost to schools.
Generally, at the junior high and high school levels we discuss and explain issues around sexual orientation and gender identity, differentiate between sex assigned at birth and gender identity, and explain what it means to be transgender. We discuss homophobia and transphobia and examine the impact they have on everyone. We also provide strategies for creating a safer school environment and becoming a more inclusive ally.
At the elementary school level, we discuss gender roles and encourage the challenging of stereotypes. We promote the recognition of our communities’ rich diversity and encourage embracing and appreciating differences in ourselves and others. The grade five curriculum outcomes include an understanding of sexual orientation, which we can cover for the higher grades within elementary schools.” - Services, The Youth Project (website)
Want to give financially to The Youth Project? You can find their donation page here!
Want to support them on their socials?
You can find The Youth Project on their Instagram, Facebook or website.
Have a charity or non-profit you’d like us to spotlight? We’d love to! Fill out our Google Form to submit your cause.
Donation Note: All donations will be going to each charity agreed to - via our speaker contracts - post Camp Rover Conference 2024.
